There are four main sources of the Shari'a: the Koran, which is compiled of thousands of religious verses revealed by God through his Prophet, Mohammed; the Sunna, which are the traditions the Prophet addressed that are not recorded in the Koran; the Ijma, which are the perceptions of the Ulema, or religious scholars; and the Qiyas, which is a method whereby known jurists agree upon new legal principles.
The Shari'a, the Islamic legal system, is derived from several key sources. The most significant is the Koran, a compilation of divine verses revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. These verses lay the foundation of Islamic law and ethics. Another vital source is the Sunna, which includes the traditions and practices of the Prophet that do not appear in the Koran but are essential for understanding Islamic principles.
In addition to the Koran and Sunna, the Ijma represents the consensus of religious scholars, known as the Ulema, on specific legal matters. Finally, Qiyas serves as a method of analogical reasoning employed by qualified jurists to establish new legal rules based on established principles. Together, these sources form the framework of Shari'a, guiding the lives of Muslims and influencing legal systems in Islamic societies.
