Islamic Revealed Law versus Islamic Common Law

Abstract

The Rev. Malcolm MacColl says that what we call Mussulman states are only branches of a cosmopolitan theocracy, and are all bound by one common code of civil and religious rules and dogmas that are essentially and eternally unchangeable; that what seemed to the infallible Pontiff of Islam good to decree twelve centuries ago for the guidance of rude and ignorant Arabs must rule for ever the conduct of the Mussulman world; and that, the inviolable sanctity of his decrees is guarded by a most powerful and wealthy corporation, whose duty and interest it is to prevent the introduction of any of those reforms which European cabinets periodically recommend to the favorable consideration of the Sultan.¹