One of the ways Islamic tradition addresses questions of military ethics is through inquiries into the shari’a, indicating the ideal way of life and usually rendered as Islamic ‘law’. Discussion of theempty shari’a includes an extended conversation concerning the justification and conduct of war. The work of al-Shaybani and other early scholars in the Hanafi school illustrates an important moment in this conversation, establishing precedents to which subsequent generations of Muslims including contemporary Muslims, must respond. Further, the accomplishments of these scholars provide an important example to all those engaged in thinking about military ethics.
