Uṣūl al-Fiqh

UṢŪL AL-FIQH

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The Science of Uṣūl al-Fiqh
Uṣūl al-Fiqh, meaning “the principles of jurisprudence,” is the science that outlines the foundational methodologies and tools used by scholars to derive Islamic legal rulings from the primary sources of Shariah: the Qur’an, the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), consensus (ijmāʿ), and analogical reasoning (qiyās). It serves as the theoretical framework for the practice of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence).

Unlike fiqh, which deals with specific legal rulings (e.g., how to pray or conduct a marriage), uṣūl al-fiqh is concerned with how those rulings are derived. It addresses questions such as: What makes a text authoritative? How should general and specific texts be interpreted? What are the conditions for consensus? When is analogy valid? It also includes discussions on language, commands and prohibitions, abrogation (naskh), and the qualifications of a legal scholar (mujtahid).

The development of uṣūl al-fiqh helped bring structure and consistency to Islamic legal reasoning. Early Muslim scholars, such as Imām al-Shāfiʿī, were instrumental in formalizing this science, which later became essential to all major schools of Islamic law.
Studying uṣūl al-fiqh sharpens critical thinking and equips students with the intellectual tools needed to navigate complex legal and ethical issues. It is a vital discipline for anyone seeking a deep and systematic understanding of how Islamic law is developed and applied.

Please reach out to us if you are interested to take any of the ongoing och previously held uṣūl al-fiqh courses.