Reviews of previous editions:

'The book covers a broad swathe of the legal rules and traditions which affect the Muslim community. The first three chapters, covering an introduction to Islamic law, history and jurisprudence, provide a useful foundation for readers unfamiliar with Islam. Thereafter, there are more detailed chapters dealing with Islamic laws on war and peace, the role of women, marriage and divorce, inheritance and wills, as well as more recent issues such as new medical technology and Islamic banking. There are also interesting chapters on Islamic commercial law and a concluding chapter on Muslims in Australia. A useful glossary of Arabic terms appears at the end of the book. One of the subtler points which runs throughout the book [is] that there is not one universal interpretation of Islamic law held by Muslims worldwide. Generally, I found the book to be informative, fair and quite open in its treatment of sensitive questions, such as the right of Muslim men in traditional Islamic society to have up to four wives simultaneously, is clear and pointed. Such openness is laudable.' -- Dr Benny Tabalujan, Law Institute Journal (Victoria), September 2004

'Jamila Hussain's book explores many aspects of life and law under Islam including war and peace, marriage, divorce, inheritance, criminal law and commercial law. In each of these areas, the tension between modern and traditional interpretations of the Prophet's teachings is evident. Present-day Islamic nations reflect the differing approaches to life under Islam with Saudi Arabia positioned at the fundamentalist extreme, while Indonesia reflects a more moderate approach. In each of the areas of law and society she examines, Hussain gives examples of the different approaches and makes it clear that the life experiences of an Islamic person, and more particularly and significantly, an Islamic woman, varies enormously across the globe. Hussain says 'I believe strongly that ignorance is the cause of most bigotry and hatred and wrote the book to try to give mainstream Australians some knowledge, and hopefully a better understanding, of the Islamic aspects of the cultures of Australia's closest neighbours to the north.' Readers of Jamila Hussain's book will effectively gain that knowledge and understanding.' -- Judge Sarah Bradley, The Queensland Lawyer, December 2004

'It addresses a number of commonly held misconceptions. It is interesting reading and a thorough introduction for people who want to know more about Islam.' -- Educational Book Review (India), January-February 2004

Jamila Hussain is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Technology Sydney. In addition to her qualifications in Australian law, she has obtained a Diploma in Shariah Law and Practice and a Masters in Comparative Law from the International Islamic University in Malaysia, where she received a thorough grounding in Islamic law and practice. She is a former member of the Federal government’s Muslim Community Reference Group and has been actively involved in research and in writing and lecturing about the Muslim community in Australia for a number of years.