The Administration of the Sultanate of Dehli c8.12

c8.12

This view is merely the philosophic rationalization of Muslim belief in this respect. A man can attain real felicity in following the dictates of Islam, the exoteric incorporation of which is the Law. The Muslim jurists and theologians believe in the supremacy of the *shar‘* and hold that it is eternal and immutable in its essence. It is based on the Qur’ān which is believed by every Muslim to be the Word of God revealed to His prophet Muḥammad. Not even the Prophet could change the revelation; he could only explain and interpret it. His interpretation, embodied in his traditions, called *ḥadīth*, naturally commands great respect and cannot be ignored by his followers. On these two rocks—the Qur’ān and the *ḥadīth*—is built the structure of Muslim Law, annotated, expanded, interpreted, and applied to the complicated and varied needs of a growing civilization by learned lawyers. This Law was the actual sovereign in Muslim lands: no one was above it, and all were ruled by it.⁴ It is not only permitted but enjoined that a Muslim should disobey the ruler if the ruler's orders violate the Law.⁵ Public opinion in Muslim lands firmly held to the supremacy of the *shar‘*.