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Fiqh (an Arabic word meaning “deep understanding”) in Islam refers to Islamic jurisprudence – the science of understanding and applying Islamic law (Shariah) in everyday life. In simple terms, fiqh is how Muslim scholars interpret the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (the Sunnah) to derive practical rules for Muslims to follow.
Fiqh covers all aspects of life, from how to perform prayers and fasting to guidelines for business dealings and social matters. Through fiqh, Muslims learn the proper way to carry out religious duties and make ethical choices according to Islamic principles.
Islamic law, or Shariah, is considered divine and unchanging, but fiqh is the human understanding of Shariah and is therefore flexible and open to interpretation. This means that while the Quran and Sunnah set the broad commandments (e.g. the duty to pray five times a day), fiqh provides detailed instructions on how to perform those obligations properly (such as the steps of purification, prayer movements, and timings).
In essence, Shariah is the ideal law as revealed by God, and fiqh is the human effort to implement that law. Because of this interpretative nature, scholars may arrive at slightly different rulings in fiqh, yet all seek to fulfill the intent of Shariah.
During Prophet Muhammad’s lifetime in the 7th century, Islamic rulings came directly from the revelations of the Quran and the Prophet’s own teachings and example. After the Prophet’s death, his Companions (Sahabah) taught the next generations and preserved the essence of Islam.
As Islam spread to new lands beyond Arabia, these teachings were gradually systematized and elaborated by scholars to address new questions and local customs . The earliest Muslim jurists based their judgments on the foundational texts and the understanding they had learned from the Prophet’s companions, ensuring continuity in the faith’s legal practices.
By the 8th and 9th centuries CE (2nd–3rd centuries AH), the process of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) led to the development of distinct schools of jurisprudence. The renowned scholar Imam al-Shafi’i (767–820 CE) played a pivotal role in formalizing the principles of fiqh – in his work Al-Risala, he outlined four primary sources of Islamic law: the Quran, the Sunnah, scholarly consensus (ijma), and analogical reasoning (qiyas).
During this “golden age” of Islamic scholarship, several major madhhabs (schools of thought) emerged in the Sunni community. Over time, many local practices merged into these prominent schools that would be followed for centuries to come.
Over the centuries, Sunni Islam came to recognize four main schools of fiqh (known as madhhabs), each named after a great scholar of the early period. All these schools share the same core sources and beliefs, but they differ in methodology and therefore certain rulings.
The primary schools of thought in Islamic fiqh are:
Despite their differences, all these schools are considered valid paths within Islamic law, and there is mutual respect among the different schools. This diversity in fiqh reflects Islam’s flexibility in accommodating various cultures and circumstances while upholding the same fundamental principles. Importantly, this reflects the differences of opinions and understanding of Islam of the Sahaba (RA) and is a mercy from Allah.
Fiqh continues to guide the daily life of Muslims in the modern age. It provides practical guidance for both worship and daily living.
Examples of fiqh topics include:
Fiqh is about ensuring that acts of worship are done properly according to the Prophet’s example. Beyond worship, fiqh also helps Muslims navigate daily life by teaching what is halal (permitted) and haram (forbidden) – for instance, clarifying issues of diet (permissible food and drink), financial matters (avoiding usury) and family life.
In the contemporary world, new ethical and legal questions constantly arise – from biomedical issues (such as organ transplants) to financial innovations (like cryptocurrency and modern banking). Through the framework of fiqh, qualified scholars (muftis) analyze these novel situations in light of the Quran and Sunnah and issue fatwas (legal rulings) to guide Muslims.
Scholars may refer to unprecedented modern questions as nawāzil (“new issues” without precedent) and engage in fresh ijtihad to address them. This process ensures that Islamic law remains relevant and adaptable, allowing Muslims to practice their faith in every era.
Fiqh also has an important role in Muslim communities and legal systems today. In many Muslim-majority countries, aspects of Islamic law are incorporated into national laws – especially in personal matters like marriage, divorce, and inheritance. International councils of Islamic scholars regularly convene to study emerging issues and publish collective resolutions, bridging traditional jurisprudence with contemporary needs. On personal or family issues Muslims consult imams and muftis to ensure they follow Islamic guidance.
In essence, fiqh acts as a living bridge between the eternal teachings of Islam and the day-to-day decisions of Muslims, helping believers remain faithful to their values in modern life.
