Islamic Fiqh
Selected Text for
Islamic Studies
Atta-ur-Rahman Arif
Institute of Business Management
CHAPTER ONE
What is Fiqh?
Fiqh is the understanding and comprehending of the object of nusoos (text). This is something which Allah Ta'ala had bestowed the pious predecessors with. Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Shaafi (rahmatullah alaihima), etc. were Imams because of their deep understanding of this knowledge. All the Aimmah-e-Mujtahiddeen excels in this quality and field of knowledge. None (in present times) can ever match them. The question of who is the best of them all should never arise. This discussion should never emerge from our mouths. We are not qualified to grade the Aimmah-e-Mujtahiddeen, because it is beyond our limitations. Secondly, we do not know the proper limits and in lauding the one we are bound to degrade the others.
The Definition of Fiqh
Imam Sahib (rahmatullah alayh) has defined Fiqh as follows: “The recognition of the soul (insofar as its objective in life and its journey to Aakhirah).” This is a general definition which encompasses both the external (zaahiri) and internal (baatini). What is then the difference between tasawwuf and fiqh? The predecessors used to combine fiqh and tasawwuf.
Amongst the salf, fiqh was not only the knowledge of the zaahiri (external factors), in fact, it was the combination of both the zaahiri and baatini knowledge. This included tasawwuf as well.
The reality of Tafaqquh-fi-Deen (in-depth understanding in Deen)
Tafaqquh-fi-Deen (understanding in Deen) is not merely the literal understanding of the words (in the kitaabs). The kuffaar also understand written words. So if the mere understanding would be Tafaqquh then the kuffaar would also be amongst the Ahle Khair (chosen, good people). The real meaning of Tafaqquh-fi-Deen is that together with understanding the literal import of the words, it is the recognition of its reality, as well. There are many amongst the Hanafi scholars who qualify. [ibid. page 387,
Islamic Studies
Atta-ur-Rahman Arif
Institute of Business Management
CHAPTER ONE
What is Fiqh?
Fiqh is the understanding and comprehending of the object of nusoos (text). This is something which Allah Ta'ala had bestowed the pious predecessors with. Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Shaafi (rahmatullah alaihima), etc. were Imams because of their deep understanding of this knowledge. All the Aimmah-e-Mujtahiddeen excels in this quality and field of knowledge. None (in present times) can ever match them. The question of who is the best of them all should never arise. This discussion should never emerge from our mouths. We are not qualified to grade the Aimmah-e-Mujtahiddeen, because it is beyond our limitations. Secondly, we do not know the proper limits and in lauding the one we are bound to degrade the others.
The Definition of Fiqh
Imam Sahib (rahmatullah alayh) has defined Fiqh as follows: “The recognition of the soul (insofar as its objective in life and its journey to Aakhirah).” This is a general definition which encompasses both the external (zaahiri) and internal (baatini). What is then the difference between tasawwuf and fiqh? The predecessors used to combine fiqh and tasawwuf.
Amongst the salf, fiqh was not only the knowledge of the zaahiri (external factors), in fact, it was the combination of both the zaahiri and baatini knowledge. This included tasawwuf as well.
The reality of Tafaqquh-fi-Deen (in-depth understanding in Deen)
Tafaqquh-fi-Deen (understanding in Deen) is not merely the literal understanding of the words (in the kitaabs). The kuffaar also understand written words. So if the mere understanding would be Tafaqquh then the kuffaar would also be amongst the Ahle Khair (chosen, good people). The real meaning of Tafaqquh-fi-Deen is that together with understanding the literal import of the words, it is the recognition of its reality, as well. There are many amongst the Hanafi scholars who qualify. [ibid. page 387,