[APPRECIATING HISTORY PART 2: WHY KULIYYAH OF LAWS?]

One of the featured works in the 1985 Edition of the Law Majalla provides insight into the history of AIKOL, particularly why it is named the Ahmad Ibrahim Kuliyyah of ‘Laws.

At the time, the term “Kuliyyah of Laws” was introduced by the respective authority, it received a lot of enquiries and criticism. Evidently, the Kuliyyah has a valid justification for causing the commotion.?

The justification lies in the fact that the Kuliyyah prioritises two bodies of law, Islamic law and civil law. Hence, the term “Laws” connotes more than one system of law offered, as is the practice in universities elsewhere offering a variety of law subjects, e.g. Ecclesiastical Law, Roman Law, Civil Law, under the one and same department.

The plurality of laws being studied in AIKOL is reflected in the courses offered, i.e. LLB, Bachelor of Laws and LLBS, Bachelor of Laws (Shariah). At the time of AIKOL’s inception, there was a real need for this inclusion of Islamic law as there seemed to be a gap when it came to the development of academic discussions in the Islamic Legal Sphere. AIKOL addressed this by fostering a culture of supporting and encouraging its students to expand their knowledge in Islamic law. This is reflected in its curriculum, which offers a multitude of Islamic law subjects such as Islamic Family Law, Islamic Law of Transactions, Islamic Banking and Waqf. In fact, AIKOL is the global research centre of Waqf research which is known as the "International Centre for Waqf Research".

The plurality of laws being studied in AIKOL is reflected in the courses offered, i.e. LLB, Bachelor of Laws and LLBS, Bachelor of Laws (Shariah). At the time of AIKOL’s inception, there was a real need for this inclusion of Islamic law as there seemed to be a gap when it came to the development of academic discussions in the Islamic Legal Sphere. AIKOL addressed this by fostering a culture of supporting and encouraging its students to expand their knowledge in Islamic law. This is reflected in its curriculum, which offers a multitude of Islamic law subjects such as Islamic Family Law, Islamic Law of Transactions, Islamic Banking and Waqf. In fact, AIKOL is the global research centre of Waqf research which is known as the "International Centre for Waqf Research".

The term “Faculty” is dispensed with in place of “Kulliyyah” to convey a more universal concept. Faculty, as commonly used, refers to the “mental power or ability” or “a division of a whole” and as such, the term has its limitations. As distinguished from faculty, “Kulliyyah” comes from the Arabic word “kulli” meaning “all-embracing” and “universal”. This term thus, relates to the notion of “Laws” (in its plural form).?

In pursuance of the concept of the Kuliyyah being all embracing, AIKOL is unique in its emphasis on Islamic law and civil law with students being given the privilege of studying both bodies of law. Taking into consideration how the Federal Constitution allows for religious affairs to be managed by the state governments, it cannot be disputed how essential it is for Malaysian law students to have a solid understanding of both laws.?

It is pertinent to note that the applicability of Islamic law in Malaysia has developed significantly since the 1980s with Shariah Courts being granted exclusive jurisdiction over matters relating to Islamic Family Law and religious observances. Thus, the need for expertise in Shariah law is crucial as the legal world continues to navigate these developments.?

We hope that by clarifying the reasons as to why the law faculty is named the “Kuliyyah of Laws”, we are able to highlight the significance of the AIKOL name and appreciate how its students have been provided the necessary tools to master both Islamic and civil law, allowing us to prosper in the legal field.