Emanating from a famous tradition of the Prophet, the following four are accepted as the primary sources of Muslim law; the Koran, the Sunna, the Ijma, and the Kyas. All the schools of Muslim law accept the first two as the primary sources. The Koran and Sunna contain the direct and indirect revelations received by the Prophet.
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The direct or the manifest revelations, according to Abdul Rahim, are those vouchsafed to the Prophet by archangel Gabriel, under the direction of God, and consist of the very words of God, or hints, and of such knowledge as occurred in the mind of the Prophet through the inspiration of God.
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The indirect or the internal revelations consist of the opinions of the Prophet embodied in the form of ratiocination, and delivered from time to time on questions raised before him. The direct revelations coming to the Prophet in the very words of God are contained in the Koran. The indirect or internal revelations, Le. those coming to the Prophet as hints or knowledge occurring in his mind are contained in the Sunna.
It is about the internal revelations that the various schools differ, and do not accord the same status to all traditions. As to the Ijma and the Kyas, as resources of Muslim law, the various schools of Muslim law and the jurists differ among themselves as to the extent to which they are to be given the status of source of law.
Although the Muslim authorities do not accept custom as a formal source of law, it is not now denied that custom has played an important role in the development of Muslim law. Therefore, it is submitted that it would be worthwhile to examine custom as a source of Muslim law.
To these sources may be added the modern sources, viz., the doctrine of equity, justice and good conscience, precedent and legislation, which have played a vital role in shaping, and modifying Muslim law in the form in which it exists in modern India. Thus, the sources of Muslim law may be studied as under:
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(a) Ancient sources, viz., (1) the Koran, (2) the Sunna, (3) the Ijma and (4) the Kyas.
(b) Custom.
(c) Modern sources, viz., (i) equity, justice, and good conscience, (ii) Precedent, and (iii) Legislation.