Thursday, May 5, 2011

Learning About Islamic Law (Shariah) and Jurisprudence (Fiqh)


Shariah - or Islamic law - is not limited to societal laws and a penal system. It includes divine directives regarding every aspect of a Muslim's life. Referring to Shariah simply as “Islamic law” is therefore incomplete. Shariah might better be described as a body of divine laws, rules, code of conduct and teachings which are intended to benefit the individual and society.

Literal Meaning of Shariah

The Arabic word shariah refers to a waterway that leads to a main water source. An analogy can be made where just as water is a necessary element of life, so is Shariah essential to the well-being of a Muslim.

Code of Behavior and Conduct

To ensure this well-being, Shariah offers guidance and laws for a complete way of life. This code of behavior and conduct includes, among other topics:
  • Recommended, but not obligatory (Mandub)
  • Prohibited (Haram)
  • Disliked and discouraged, but not prohibited (Makruh)
  • Permissible, due to lack of injunction or opinion (Mubah). --- READ MORE

Fiqh

Fiqh (Arabic: فقه‎ [fiqh]) is Islamic jurisprudence. Fiqh is an expansion of the Sharia Islamic law—based directly on the Quran and Sunnah—that complements Sharia with evolving rulings/interpretations of Islamic jurists.

Fiqh deals with the observance of rituals, morals and social legislation in Islam. There are four prominent schools (madh'hab) of fiqh, within Sunni practice and two within Shi'a practice. A person trained in fiqh is known as a Faqih (plural Fuqaha). --- READ MORE

Related Posts by Categories

Law Schools


No comments:

Post a Comment