History of law

Ancient times

Rich history, starts in ancient times, when first lawbooks were created. The first one was
Ur-Nammu’s (3^rd millennium BC) but the most famous ones are Hammurabi’s Code from 2^nd millennium
BC. Its most famous principle was an eye for an eye. The second one is Justinian Code. It was
ordered by eastern Roman Emperor Justinian in 6^th century AD, it contains codifications of Roman
law.

Roman law was an excellent system and Continental law is derived from it.

Also Ten Commandments, which God gave to Hebrews. Ingenious – only ten and they worked.

Medieval times

The age of feudalism, people were divided into groups by their social position and each group had
different system of law, e.g. special law was for nobility, for church, for towns etc. The nobility
had much better position and did not have to pay the taxes, serfs had to pay the taxes and work for
the nobility.

Modern times

Thanks to some philosophers, people became aware of the fact they are equal to each other, they
have some natural rights, they should be treated fairly...  and started to fight for their rights.
Usually, they wanted a constitution, which would contain their social and political rights. Many
revolutions took place, e.g. French Revolution, American War of Independence.

Nowadays, it is considered very important that a state has a constitution, it is a condition of a
democratic country.

                                            Islamic law

Called Sharia, two sources – Qur’an (Quran/Koran) + Sunnah (pl. sunnan). Religious law – their law
sources are also sources of their religion. It governs every aspect of Muslims’ lives and provides
solutions of all their problems. Koran is given to them by the Prophet = Muhammad, who was told it
by Islamic god – Allah. All rules in Koran are divine and sacred and everybody must obey it. Sunnah
describes Muhammad’s life, acts, speeches etc. and provides further details about the right way of
life.

You can imagine that interpretation of Islamic law is very complicated as they do not have
classical codifications but only religious books. E.g. special institution – fatwa (not only a
curse). You ask a question – muftí will do the research and answer your question.