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The term liberty is derived from the Latin word ‘liber’ which means free.
According to Blacks law Dictionary “Freedom from arbitrary or undue external restraint, especially by a
government”.
Definitions: Prof. Seeley defines liberty “as the absence of restrains or the opposite of over Government”.
According to Burns, “ liberty means to grow to one’s natural height, to develop one’s abilities”.
Different meanings ave been attached with the term liberty’s used by different scholars.
Moreover, the word has been used conveying different meanings. When the term liberty is used in
context of the role of associations and individuals, it signifies those privileges they are entitled to avail.
Sometime it is used in terms of limitations.
Two Aspects: two important aspects of liberty are noteworthy; one negative and other positive.
negative aspect of liberty brings into spotlight those restrictions imposed by the state for the
protection of the liberty of all. These are certain areas of social life in which individual does not want
interference at all. State protects his liberty from undue interference for doing so it maintains law and
order and enforces a network of criminal laws.
positive aspect state also provides necessary opportunities essential for the true enjoyment of
rights. Modern welfare state aims at the betterment of the whole society and for the realisation of this
end, it provides different services in socio-economic political and cultural fields so that all citizens may
develop their capabilities.
Kinds of Liberty
Natural Liberty: The concept of natural liberty, in fact points out the period before the organised
political life and it implies the absence of all legal restrains on freedom of action. This concept was
highlighted this concept was highlighted specifically by the exponents of the theory of ‘Social Contract’.
Hobbes depicted state of nature, pre-state period, as period of lawlessness and brutality in which
everyone was at war with every other.’Might is Right’ was the only principle regulating human conduct.
Locke believed in the supremacy of natural law that secures natural rights such as life, liberty and
property while state comes into existence for the protection of natural rights. Locke gives priority to these
rights as these are, in his opinion prior to state and its laws.
National Liberty: national liberty relates to the independence of state from external control, and it has
been closely associated with nationalism. At the initial period of 20th century, almost every nation raised
the slogan of ‘National Self-Determination’. This demand was accepted in the Paris Peace Conference,as
a result many new Nations appeared on the map of Europe.
Importance Of Kinds Liberty In Political Theory: three kinds of liberty are important in
political theory.
I. Civil Liberty
II. Political Liberty
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III. Economic Liberty
Civil Liberty: Civil liberty, according to Last consists in the liberty of an individual in action and
thought in those areas of life where the results of one’s efforts are mainly personal in nature. Right to life
or freedom to religious belief are examples.
Gettle says that civil liberty consists in those rights and privileges provided by state to its
citizens State enforces a legal system for the protection of these rights through police and courts.
Political Liberty: Political liberty means the participation of citizens in the political life of the
community. In modern democratic states government is elected by and people and it is answerable to
them. People indirectly participate in political decision-making. Popular participation is made possible
through the recognition of such rights, as their right to vote, right to contest elections, right to criticise
government policies and right to public offices. Freedom of expression is also considered to be the most
important political right.
Economic Liberty: Economic liberty is, in fact, a part of civil liberty but due to the importance
economic liberty has gained in modern age its id generally considered appropriate to discuss it
separately. Economic liberty consists to certain economic privileges and rights of individuals regarding
the earning of their livelihood. It includes those economic rights that state secures in respect of the right
to work and the choice of profession. Modern state recognises the rights of workers to form unions,
makes laws regarding hours of work, proper wages collective bargaining, etc.
Conclusion: To conclude that there are two important aspects of liberty: one negative and other
positive. Negative aspect of liberty brings into spotlight those restrictions imposed by the state for the
protection of the liberty of all. State also provides necessary opportunities essential for the true
enjoyment of rights.
Different terms are used for Islamic Law, which include Mohammedan Law, Muslim law, islamic
Jurisprudence, Fiqh and Shariat.( Fish is understanding or knowledge).
Definition: According to Imam Abu Haifa “ Fish is knowledge of what is for a man’s self and what is
against a man’s self”.
According to Imam Malik, “ Science of commands of the Shariat in particular matters deducted by the
application of process of reasoning”.
Superiority: since islamic law manifests will of Allah, therefore do not reflect any class conflict. Divine
source of laws of shariah stand as the most effective guarantee for the protection of human liberties. In
capitalist democracies, as pointed out by Laski, laws represent the interest of the wealthy classes as they
dominate the political scene. Islam, on the other hand rejects the rule of man over man irrespective that
the supreme power has been ascribed to one person or to the society as a whole. All laws of Shariah
reflect justice and FairPlay as they have been given to mankind by the Creator himself, that is why these
laws provide guidance to mankind in all directions.
Sources Of Law: the sources of islamic law are explained below:
Quran: the Holy text is the basic source of Islamic Law and fundamental principles for all aspects of
social existence are lai down in it. A portion of these Commandments is permanent and eternal. It is to be
noted that Quran is not strictly a book on jurisprudence, carrying all rules and regulations in a classified
form as it happens in case of books of jurisprudence. Those verses that deal with legal and political issues
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were revealed unto the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) in steps at different times according to the need of
conditions. That’s why legals codes are found in scattered form. The commandments of Holy Quran can
be divided into two parts; one is flexible and other is rigid.
Sunnah: the second main source is Hadith which is a compilation containing the actions and sayings of
the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). The Holy Prophet( P.B.U.H) used to explain the verses of Quran and his own
life was practical manifestation off the Quranic way of life. No human being could claim to be more
expert in understanding the meaning of Quran than Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) as he was Divinely guided.
The Muslim Umma followed the example of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) also preserved his precedents as a
sacred inheritance. later, Muslim Jurists developed a full-fledged science of Hadith and devised research
methods to discriminate correct Hadith from the distorted ones. Sunnah is regarded as an important part
of islamic jurisprudence.
Ijma: Ijma means the consensus among the scholars on points of islamic Law. There has been
controversy. Over the issue whether complete unanimity of opinion is required or a majority decision is
sufficient? Moreover, this has been a debatable issue wether “ijma” of one generation is binding on the
next or not?
It is noted, that the Irma does not imply the consensus in the general public. Certain scholars are of the
view, Allama Iqbal being the most important, that the modern form of Irma is the ijtihad through
legislative assemblies.
Qiyas: if no clear guidance is found in the basic sources, the jurists are allowed to resort comparison
keeping in view the intention of the law giver and the spirit of law. Hence full weightage is given to
human reasoning and judgment. The jurists have provided guiding principles even in respect of
comparison i-e, “istehsan”, “istilah” and “istidlal”.
Istehsan: while using reasoning in the interpretation of Islamic law, preference is given to opt that
choice which is more appropriate to meet the needs of changing circumstances. This method was
developed by Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A) though Imam Malik (r.A0 did not ignore it completely.
Istislah: the method of interpreting islamic law is, to a greater extent, synonymous with Istihsan, i-e, to
choose the way having more utility from the point of view public good. Imam Malik (R.A) gave much
importance to this method. In fact, both these methods have common elements of utility respect of
interference.
Istidlal: Imam Shafi ( R.A) did not adopt both these methods while resorting to interference from the
the fundamental sources. He laid emphasis on the application of reasoning and logic in matters of
interpretation of Islamic law.
Islamic Fiqah: last but not least important source is the intellectual contribution of Muslim jurists;
Imam Malik (R.A), Imam Abu Hanifa( R.A), Imam Shafi(R.A0 and Imam Ahmad Bin Hambal (R.A). They
develop a full fledged jurisprudence of islamic law in which legal principles and other codes of religion
are found in a classified for i-e, divided into sections, class, etc. under different headings and titles. While
codifying Islamic Fiqah, they kept into view all authoritative interpretations and developed this science
on the basis of comparison and reasoning, all integrated with the demands of certain conditions.
Conclusion: To conclude that Islamic laws are not specified for a particular people but are applicable
at all times. In most cases, people have given the option to enact new laws within the broader framework
of Shariah.
According to Oxford Dictionary of Law:” The enforceable body of rules that governs any society”
Definition: “ Law as the king of, both mortal and immortal” by Pindar.
“Every law is a gift of God and a decision of sages” by Demosthenes.
Usages: usages had been the most primitive form of law, in the ancient societies, in the absence of
established political authority, usages were the most effective regulating force. They commanded
paramount position to an extent that even the absolute rulers could not dare to violate. These uses are not
made consciously by any authority, they have an evolutionary and spontaneous growth. With the
message of time, these usages become so deeply rooted and highly respected that most of social and
economic relations are regulated by them. The sanction behind the usages is force of public opinion and
general impression that they aim at betterment of the people. Such usages have been in practise for a
long time, are generally given local recognition by the state. British Common Law for example is based
on the usages being acted upon by English people for the last many centuries and the state courts have
fully honoured these usages.
Religion: religion had been an important source of law even in the remote past of the modern secular
states. In the primitive (*ٔ-, )./! 10, )) societies, religion was not regarded merely a matter of faith dealing with
ritual issues but it regulated human conduct in all phases of life. That is why spiritual leaders were
regarded custodians of worldly affairs as well. Most of the early usages would also reflect religious
beliefs. Ancient Roman Law, for example is a clear illustration. All laws of Muslims, from islamic
standpoint, are sourced from shariah. In present secular societies private laws that regulate personal
affairs of every community such as marriage, divorce or rules of inheritance etc. are derived from their
respective religious faith.
Commentaries of Jurists: the opinion of element jurists on law points, is another source of law.
While setting disputes, even the courts consult the books carrying commentary of jurists and such books
are held in esteem by people of legal profession in almost all societies. The examples are the
commentaries of Gaius and Justinian on Roman Law, Coke and Blackstone in Britain and that of story
and Kant in America. Different Muslim schools of jurisprudence contributed a lot in the development of
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islamic jurisprudence. It is to be noted that such commentaries assume the force of law only after having
been recognised by the courts. The function of judge is limited to the settlement of disputes and the
application of whereas a jurists explains the underlying principles of law.
Adjudication: the function of a judge is to interpret and apply law in specific cases. In case, law is not
clear and its direct application to a dispute is not possible, a judge resorts to analogy and give new
interpretation to the existing law. This process is called adjudication. Adjudication is judge-made law,
such interpretations of superior courts become precedents to be observed by subordinate courts.
Judicial Review: in most of the democratic countries, the superior courts have the power of judicial
review, i-e to judge the validity of laws in the light of constitution. In America, for example, Supreme
Court can declare null and void such. laws, orders and decrees as are against the Constitution. Supreme
Court is regarded as the guardian of the Constitution. Supreme Court has liberally interpreted the
Constitution in favour of a strong national government on the one hand, and made a rigidly designed
Constitution workable on the other hand.
Equity: equity as a source of law falls under the category of judge made laws. Sometimes, it so happens
that there is no relief in the existing law to guide judge in a particular dispute. Under such conditions, the
judges keeping view the spirit of law resort to analogical deduction and then decide the case accordingly.
Hence a precedent is set for the guidance of subordinate courts. Equity is supplement to law, it provides
relief where the existing law affords none.
Legislation: in the ancient societies, there was no specific institution for legislation rather most of the
laws were found in the form of usages. Even after the emergence of state, no particular institution was
established for this specific function and laws mostly continued to be based on customary ways of life,
the role of government was confined to their execution only. With the evolution of the state and the
advancement of human civilisation, separate institutions were made for the purpose of legislation. In
modern democratic states, regular legislative bodies are established which enact new laws and make
necessary amendments in the existing laws.
Conclusion: to conclude that law means any standard or principle according to which certain acts in
certain circumstances must operate and no doubt, the benefits of law are great. The classification of civil
law into two main classes i-e general law and special law. These two classes are further sub-divided.
Therefore it is truth the civil law is the mother of all laws.
According to Oxford Dictionary of Law:” The enforceable body of rules that governs any society”
Definition: “ Law as the king of, both mortal and immortal” by Pindar.
“Every law is a gift of God and a decision of sages” by Demosthenes.
Modern state normally avoids undue(234&65 &7# 85 ) interference in personal affairs of its citizens. The
function of the state is to protect personal rights of its citizens from any encroachment. In modern states,
religious minorities have their own personal law based on their respective religion involving such
matters as marriage, divorce etc.
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Public law: public law signifies those rules that regulate the relationship between citizens and state. In
cases involving public law, state is a party being represented through any governmental institution
versus private person. Individual want protection if their rights not only against the encroachment on the
part of the rfellow citizens but also against the state. Thus they can seek justice under the protection of
public law.
Nature of Offence or Dispute
Criminal law: in order to implement justice and ensure law and order, certain offences are regarded
as crimes against the state. Severe crimes are dealt under criminal law such as murder, theft, robbery,
rape etc. it means criminal law deals with the right of state while judicial procedure adopted for such
trials is termed as criminal procedure. The financial penalty imposed on the criminals is deposited in the
national treasure.
Civil law: under civil law, all such disputes are settled that relate to property deeds, agreements,
mortmain and distribution of assets. Separate civil courts are established for deciding such cases. Penalty
imposed on any one party to such disputes, is given to other party as compensation.