Toward Our Reformation: From Legalism to Value-Oriented Islamic Law and Jurisprudence

In Toward Our Reformation, Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq offers a thought-provoking critique of contemporary Islamic legal practice and argues that many of the challenges facing the Muslim world stem not from Islam itself, but from a departure from its core ethical and moral values.

The author contends that what is often presented today as Sharīʿah has, over time, become layered with rigid legalism, contested scholarly opinions, and questionable interpretations that obscure the Qur’ān’s overarching objectives of justice, mercy, and human dignity. He critically examines the misuse of weak or fraudulent hadith, as well as the mechanical and context-blind application of ḥudūd laws, arguing that such practices contradict both the spirit of the Qur’ān and the Prophetic message.

Rather than advocating abandonment of Islamic law, this work calls for reform through a value-oriented approach grounded in the maqāṣid al-sharīʿah (higher objectives of Islamic law). Dr Farooq highlights how misapplication of legal rulings has often led to oppression and abuse of Muslim societies under the banner of “Islamic law," and he urges a return to principled reasoning that prioritises ethics, social justice, and human wellbeing.

This book is a rigorous yet accessible contribution for readers interested in Islamic law, reform, jurisprudence, and the intersection between faith, ethics, and modern realities. About the Author

Dr Mohammad Omar Farooq holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and specialises in international development, Islamic economics, finance, and jurisprudence. He has held academic and research positions at institutions including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently an Associate Professor of Business and Finance at the Royal University for Women (RUW), where he teaches Islamic finance and banking.

Author: Dr Mohammad Omar Farooq
Format: Paperback
Pages: 346
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
Dimensions: 15 x 23 x 2 cm
ISBN10/ISBN13: 9781565643710