Introduction

Question 1

What does Fiqh mean?

Answer 1

Deep understanding. To understand the rulings of the shari’a relating to the salve and that which is connected to actions.

Question 2

What are the 4 general parts of Fiqh?

Answer 2

1) Actions of worship (purification, salah, zakat, hajj…)
2) Muamalat (Dealings with people; trade and transactions)
3) Mariage laws (and what follows; i.e divorce…etc)
4) Criminal Law

Question 3

What is the name of the book authored my Imaam Shaafi’ from which his students went onto derive the 4 general categories of fiqh?

Answer 3

‘Al-Umm’; a book of Fiqh from beginning to end. The book was categorized into 4 parts so that it was easy for students of knowledge to learn.

Question 4

What is the evidence that we should ask the people of knowledge if we do not know?

Answer 4

Quran | Surah Al-Anbiya | Ayah 6 :
“وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًۭا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ”

“We did not send ˹messengers˺ before you ˹O Prophet˺ except mere men inspired by Us. If you ˹polytheists˺ do not know ˹this already˺, then ask those who have knowledge ˹of the Scriptures˺.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Question 5

Matn Abi Shuja’ is a Fiqh book based on who’s opinion?

Answer 5

Imaam Abu Adbullah Muhammad ibn Idris Al-Shaafi’.
(Imaan Shaafi’)

*We must not blind follow as Imaan Shaafi’ may have made mistakes.

Question 6

When did Imaam Shaafi’ live?

Answer 6

767 CE (150 AH) - 820 CE (204 AH)
54 years.