There are certain countries where the entire legal and religious system is based on the laws of Mohammedanism; such countries are: Turkey, Persia and Morocco. There are other countries, such as Egypt, India and Algeria, where the law of Islam operates side by side with other legal systems.
In India there are four distinct systems of jurisprudence, all in full operation and effect. These are:
1. English law created by the British Parliament.
2. Anglo-Indian law, which is created in India by the Legislative Councils of the British Government.
3. Hindu law, which applies to every one in British India who is a Hindu, and to no one else.
4. Mohammedan law, which applies to every one in British India who is a Mohammedan, and to no one else.
If a Mohammedan in India abandons his religion he ceases to be governed by Mohammedan law.
Since the promulgation of the Regulations of Warren Hastings in 1772, all suits in British India regarding inheritance, marriage, caste and other religious usages and institutions with respect to Mohammedans have been decided invariably according to Mohammedan law.
Egypt.—There are four kinds of legal tribunals in Egypt, namely:
1. The Native Courts, which have civil and criminal jurisdiction over natives.