This thesis deals with command (amr) in Islamic
jurisprudence. In the introduction the significance
of amr is explained and the background of the science
of usül al-fiqh, in which the discussions of amr took
place, is described. This includes a survey of the
classical writings on usUl al-fiqh. Chapter I deals
with the definition of amr. The Muslim scholars have
divided amr into three main classes – wu üb, mandüb
and istihbäb. The amr which is absolutely binding is
the command of God while the recommended and the
preferred commandments are from the Prophet and Muslim
scholars. This includes, also, a definition and
discussion of the status of the person issuing the
command and whether that status alters the effect of
the commandment. The discussion then examines the
linguistic interpretations of amr, in particular whether
amr originally meant command or not. This has great
importance for the nature of commandment in Islamic
law. The form of amr, i. e. whether the imperative is
a real commandment, is next discussed. This involves
a discussion of the nature and intention of the person
issuing the command. The second chapter deals with
the importance of amr in Islamic law and the different
levels of amr according to whether the amr is from
God, the Prophet or those with authority.