Module manager: Prof Mustapha Sheikh
Email: m.sheikh@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
ARAB2015 The Sharia: Theory, Practice, Transformations
This module is approved as a discovery module
The module will introduces students to Islamic law as a religious-legal tradition, focusing on origins, historical development and permutations across differing socio-political and geographical contexts. It examines how legal discourse and legal practice interact with political authority, highlighting the power dynamics that have enabled, constrained or redirected the development of Islamic law, Through case studies—such as criminal law, commercial law, food and drink and gender relations—, students explore the processes through which legal norms and jurisprudential reasoning take form, The module also considers the modern dislocation of Islamic Law and the revivalist and reformist efforts to re-institutionalise it in contemporary Muslim societies. . As an optional module, it runs subject to sufficient enrolment.
The module seeks to introduce students to the Islamic law as primarily legal discourse and praxis, acquainting them with jurisprudence and legal theory, and exploring the subject through an interdisciplinary framework. Students will understand the significance of Islamic law in Muslim discourse; the power relations that have historically facilitated and/or curtailed the development of the law; the processes involved in formulating the law both in terms of ijtihad and fatwa; the story of Islamic law’s transition from being state law to largely symbolic in the contemporary world. This module will also provide an opportunity to contrast theory and practical application through case studies covering a range of interests, including sexuality, alcoholic beverages, Islamic finance and more
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically examine the dominant trajectories through which the Islamic law as legal discourse and social construct has developed;
2. Identify and evaluate the tools at the disposal of the interpreters of the law, including Islamic legal concepts and terminology;
3. Appraise the relationship between Islamic law, the State and the legal community;
4. Discuss Islamic reformism comparing it with earlier historical discourses and evaluating institutional transformations;
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Develop a well-structured argument that is based on evidence drawing on difference sources of information and and informed by relevant scholarly debates
6. Communicate clearly and effectively ideas and information in both individual and group contexts.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Private study hours | 169 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 31 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Opportunities for formative feedback are built into the module to support students’ ongoing development in engaging with Islamic law. Students receive written feedback on short assignments, enabling them to practise analytical, interpretive, and writing skills ahead of the summative assessment. Seminar discussions and student presentations offer further opportunities for immediate verbal feedback, clarification, and dialogue around key concepts. A designated feedback session provides structured space for students to discuss their progress and seek guidance, while student questionnaires allow learners to reflect on their experience and contribute to the enhancement of teaching and learning on the module.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 70 |
| Coursework | Group Presentation | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
In cases where the original group presentation format cannot be replicated for the resit, the tutor will arrange individual presentations instead. These resit presentations will be delivered to the module tutor alone at a mutually agreed date and time.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team