UṢŪL AL-FIQH
Tanqīḥ al-Fuṣūl of
Imām al-Qarāfi
Registration is open and recordings are available to catch up through.
Ongoing since: 2024-11-03
Tanqīḥ al-Fuṣūl is a foundational and refined work in the science of uṣūl al-fiqh (legal theory) authored by the eminent Mālikī jurist and master of legal principles, Imām Shihāb al-Dīn al-Qarāfī (d. 684 AH / 1285 CE). The full title—Tanqīḥ al-Fuṣūl fī Ikhtiṣār al-Maḥṣūl fī Uṣūl al-Fiqh—reflects its purpose: a critical distillation (tanqīḥ) and abridgment of al-Maḥṣūl by Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, a landmark text in legal theory.
Al-Qarāfī composed Tanqīḥ al-Fuṣūl not merely as a summary, but as a reorganization, clarification, and enhancement of earlier discussions, integrating Mālikī perspectives into a largely Shāfiʿī-dominated discourse. The result is a systematic and balanced presentation of core uṣūlī topics, including:
– Sources of Islamic law: Qur’ān, Sunnah, consensus (ijmāʿ), analogy (qiyās), and others
– The structure of legal reasoning and evidence
– Commands and prohibitions
– The qualifications of the mujtahid
– Conflicts between evidences and methods of reconciliation
What distinguishes Tanqīḥ al-Fuṣūl is al-Qarāfī’s legal precision, his emphasis on rigorous distinctions, and his ability to synthesize complex discussions from multiple schools of thought—while still maintaining Mālikī integrity. The text is rich in both theoretical depth and practical relevance, making it a key reference for advanced students of uṣūl al-fiqh.
This work became especially influential through the commentary of al-Taftāzānī and more significantly through Sharḥ al-Tanqīḥ by al-Qarāfī himself, which expands upon its dense structure.
In short, Tanqīḥ al-Fuṣūl represents one of the most sophisticated post-classical articulations of legal theory in Islam, merging critical methodology with traditional fidelity. It remains a cornerstone in both Mālikī legal training and broader Islamic legal studies.
All classes are recorded for students to study or review. Live participation is not mandatory, but recommended.
