Intro: Usul al-fiqh

Question 1

Usul al - fiqh

Pronounce without ‘al’

Answer 1

Methodology of deriving legal rulings from Islamic primary legal sources

Question 2

Fiqh

Answer 2

Process of actually deriving legal rulings using methods of Usul al - fiqh

Question 3

Syariah

Answer 3

Divine law; allegedly passed down directly from Allah

Question 4

Mufti

Answer 4

Islamic religious leader

Question 5

Al-Quran

Answer 5

First source of Islamic law; literally means recitation

Question 6

Continuous testimony (Mutawatir)

Answer 6

PM revealed to a large audience in a single setting, then the audience tasked to spread message to wider audience.

Based on the reasoning that if a very large number of people agreed something is true, it is most likely to be true.

Question 7

Distinct characteristics of the Quran

Answer 7

• Word of Allah
• Revealed in Arabic
• Cannot be imitated
• Comprehensive
• Transmitted via continuous testimony

Question 8

Graduality

Answer 8

Quran revealed gradually in order of importance, from theology to matters of less urgency

Mecca; Medina

Revealed in way that suits the times and fits the situation

Question 9

Reasons for graduality

Answer 9

• Illiteracy; difficulty understanding
• Reduce hardship
• Easier to memorise
• Spiritual strength

Question 10

Reporters

Answer 10

Individuals narrating their account of events of the Hadith

Question 11

Hadith

Answer 11

M’s words

Question 12

Sunnah

Answer 12

M’s words in conjunction with his actions and approved practices

Question 13

Surah

Answer 13

Chapter

Question 14

Ayat

Answer 14

Verse

Question 15

Number of surah in Al - Quran

Answer 15

114

Question 16

Primary sources

Answer 16

• Quran
• Sunnah
• Ijma
• Qiyas

Question 17

Types of Quranic Legislation

Depending on purpose

Answer 17

• Qati’e v Zanni
• Wajib, sunat, harus, makruh, haram.
• Ta’lil
• L’jaz
• Asbab al nuzul

Question 18

Quati’e

Answer 18

Clear and well-defined;
legal ruling has only one meaning.

Application is literal and absolute

Absolute - no exceptions

Question 19

Zann

Answer 19

Unclear and speculative;
legal ruling open to multiple interpretations.

Requires interpretation of expert

Question 20

Ta’lil

Answer 20

Ratiocination in Islamic law; different from Western meaning.

• Studies the justifications, cause and divine purpose of an Islamic legal ruling

Question 21

L’jaz

Answer 21

Impossible to imitate;
refers to the inimitability of the Quran

Question 22

Asbab al nuzul

Answer 22

Means “Occasion of Revelation”. Historial context of circumstances when Quranic verses were revealed.

Question 23

Situations where Quranic verses were revealed

Answer 23

• addressed specific issue
• answered questions raised by Muslims of the time

Question 24

Naskh

Answer 24

Means abrogation;
repealing or phasing out of legal ruling.

Question 25

“al ijmal wal tafsil”

Answer 25

Roughly means “concise and detail” or “brevity & concise”.

Refers to:
* General guidelines
* Specific guidelines that can be changed only in certain circumstances