Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence Program

Definition of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence:

It is a science that deals with the rules and laws needed by the jurist to understand how to deduce the legal rulings for the actions of those accountable from their detailed evidence.

Subject of the Science of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence:

The science of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence investigates the general legal evidence regarding how to deduce the subsidiary legal rulings from it.

Sources from which the Science of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence is derived:

The topics of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence are derived from: the Quran, the Prophetic Sunnah, Arabic language sciences, and some other Islamic sciences, such as jurisprudence, interpretation, hadith, and some rational evidence.

The Purpose of the Science of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence:

To acquire the ability to deduce the legal rulings for the actions of those accountable from the four agreed-upon evidence sources: the Quran, the Sunnah, consensus, analogy, and other different evidence sources, such as the saying of a companion, public interest, approval, and legislation from previous scholars.

From this, we know that the science of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence is one of the most important sciences that students of jurisprudence must master, hoping to become Islamic jurists one day. Those who enter the field of jurisprudence without deep knowledge of this art are farthest from deserving the title of jurist, especially in this age where modern events have increased, necessitating contemporary jurists to clarify the legal ruling in them. The first to compile the science of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence was Imam Shafi’i, may Allah be pleased with him, who authored his famous book “Al-Risalah”, which was a great scientific breakthrough. The science of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence is mandatory for sufficiency and may be required by some individuals when needed, and it is not attained except by those who master it to achieve sufficiency.

The Relationship between the Science of Jurisprudence and the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence:

Jurisprudence is the knowledge of practical legal rulings derived from detailed evidence. As for the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence, it is the knowledge of the general rules and legal rulings that enable the jurist to deduce the legal rulings for the actions of those accountable from the Quran, the Sunnah, and other legal evidence sources related to them.

So, the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence are the means used by the jurist to deduce the ruling from the detailed evidence. And the sensory example that illustrates this meaning is extracting water from a well. Just as someone who wants to extract water from a well must have a tool to extract water, such as a rope and a bucket, similarly, the jurist who wants to deduce the legal ruling from its sources must have scientific tools to deal correctly and accurately with legal evidence sources.

The Relationship between the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence and Legal Opinion (Fatwa):

The relationship between the science of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence and the process of issuing legal opinions (fatwas) is evident through the analysis of the process of issuing fatwas into its three pillars: the Mufti, the inquirer, and the fatwa itself.

As for the Mufti, he has a significant share of knowledge of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence. The jurists have elaborated on the conditions of the Mufti, the categories of Muftis, and some of the rulings related to the Mufti.

As for the inquirer, the jurists have discussed their etiquette and some rulings related to them.

Books on the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence also address some topics related to issuing fatwas, and this is in the final book of the science of Principles.

The talk about the process of issuing fatwas is an important part of the science of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence. Although the attention given by the jurists to this issue is great, it does not receive the attention it deserves, especially from the perspective of practical jurisprudence.

Also, the relationship between legal opinions and the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence is evident when there is a need to issue fatwas on new issues that previous jurists did not address. In such cases, the Mufti cannot do without using the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence to deduce the legal ruling for these novelties.