Fundamental Sources of Islamic Law
Islamic law, also known as Sharia, is derived from several primary sources that guide Muslims
in religious, social, and legal matters. These sources ensure that laws are rooted in divine
guidance and rational interpretation. The four fundamental sources of Islamic law are:
1. The Quran
● Definition:
The Quran is the holy book of Islam, believed to be the literal word of Allah revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) over 23 years. It is the ultimate and primary source of
Islamic law.
● Significance in Law:
○ Contains clear injunctions on worship, morality, and legal principles related to
marriage, inheritance, trade, punishment, and governance.
○ Examples of legal injunctions include:
■ Inheritance: "Allah commands you concerning your children: for the
male, what is equal to the share of two females..." (Surah An-Nisa, 4:11).
■ Punishment for Theft: "Cut off the hand of the thief, male or female, as a
punishment for what they have done..." (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:38).
● Scope:
The Quran provides broad principles but does not detail every specific situation, leaving
room for other sources to supplement and interpret it.
2. Sunnah (Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH))
● Definition:
The Sunnah refers to the sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH), which serve as a practical explanation of Quranic principles.
● Importance in Law:
○ The Prophet’s life serves as a model for implementing Islamic teachings.
○ Provides additional guidance where the Quran is silent or less specific.
○ For example:
■ Details of Salah (Prayer): The Quran commands Muslims to pray, but
the Sunnah explains the specific method and timings.
■ Zakat (Charity): The Quran mentions Zakat but does not specify its
percentages; this is detailed in the Sunnah.
● Authentication:
The Sunnah has been preserved in collections of Hadith, such as those compiled by
Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, and others.
3. Ijma (Consensus of Scholars)
● Definition:
Ijma refers to the unanimous agreement of qualified Islamic scholars on a particular
legal issue not explicitly addressed in the Quran or Sunnah.
● Basis in Islam:
○ Rooted in the Prophet’s saying: "My Ummah will never agree upon error." (Sunan
Ibn Majah, 3950).
○ It reflects the collective wisdom and interpretation of the Muslim community.
● Examples in Law:
○ The consensus on compiling the Quran into a single book during Caliph Abu
Bakr’s time.
○ Development of legal rulings on contemporary issues like organ transplantation
or digital finance.
● Role in Modern Times:
Ijma allows Islamic law to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining its
foundational principles.
4. Qiyas (Analogical Reasoning)
● Definition:
Qiyas is the process of deriving legal rulings for new situations by drawing analogies
with established rulings in the Quran or Sunnah.
● Methodology:
○ Involves identifying a common rationale ('Illah) between a known case and a new
case.
○ For example:
■ The Quran prohibits wine because it intoxicates and impairs judgment. By
analogy, Qiyas extends this ruling to include modern intoxicants like
drugs.
● Significance in Law:
○ Helps address new issues arising in evolving societies.
○ Ensures that Islamic law remains relevant and applicable to modern life.
Interrelation of the Sources
1. Hierarchy:
○ The Quran is the primary source, followed by the Sunnah.
○ Ijma and Qiyas derive legitimacy from the Quran and Sunnah.
2. Dynamic Nature:
○ Together, these sources allow for flexibility and adaptability in Islamic law while
maintaining its divine foundations.
Conclusion
The four fundamental sources—Quran, Sunnah, Ijma, and Qiyas—form the foundation of
Islamic jurisprudence. While the Quran and Sunnah provide divine guidance, Ijma and Qiyas
enable scholars to interpret and apply Islamic principles to new and evolving situations. This
comprehensive framework ensures that Islamic law remains both timeless and relevant.
Fundamental Sources of Islamic Law
Islamic law, also known as Sharia, is derived from several primary sources that guide Muslims
in religious, social, and legal matters. These sources ensure that laws are rooted in divine
guidance and rational interpretation. The four fundamental sources of Islamic law are:
1. The Quran
● Definition:
The Quran is the holy book of Islam, believed to be the literal word of Allah revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) over 23 years. It is the ultimate and primary source of
Islamic law.
● Significance in Law:
○ Contains clear injunctions on worship, morality, and legal principles related to
marriage, inheritance, trade, punishment, and governance.
○ Examples of legal injunctions include:
■ Inheritance: "Allah commands you concerning your children: for the
male, what is equal to the share of two females..." (Surah An-Nisa, 4:11).
■ Punishment for Theft: "Cut off the hand of the thief, male or female, as a
punishment for what they have done..." (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:38).
● Scope:
The Quran provides broad principles but does not detail every specific situation, leaving
room for other sources to supplement and interpret it.
2. Sunnah (Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH))
● Definition:
The Sunnah refers to the sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH), which serve as a practical explanation of Quranic principles.
● Importance in Law:
○ The Prophet’s life serves as a model for implementing Islamic teachings.
○ Provides additional guidance where the Quran is silent or less specific.
○ For example:
■ Details of Salah (Prayer): The Quran commands Muslims to pray, but
the Sunnah explains the specific method and timings.
■ Zakat (Charity): The Quran mentions Zakat but does not specify its
percentages; this is detailed in the Sunnah.
● Authentication:
The Sunnah has been preserved in collections of Hadith, such as those compiled by
Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, and others.
3. Ijma (Consensus of Scholars)
● Definition:
Ijma refers to the unanimous agreement of qualified Islamic scholars on a particular
legal issue not explicitly addressed in the Quran or Sunnah.
● Basis in Islam:
○ Rooted in the Prophet’s saying: "My Ummah will never agree upon error." (Sunan
Ibn Majah, 3950).
○ It reflects the collective wisdom and interpretation of the Muslim community.
● Examples in Law:
○ The consensus on compiling the Quran into a single book during Caliph Abu
Bakr’s time.
○ Development of legal rulings on contemporary issues like organ transplantation
or digital finance.
● Role in Modern Times:
Ijma allows Islamic law to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining its
foundational principles.
4. Qiyas (Analogical Reasoning)
● Definition:
Qiyas is the process of deriving legal rulings for new situations by drawing analogies
with established rulings in the Quran or Sunnah.
● Methodology:
○ Involves identifying a common rationale ('Illah) between a known case and a new
case.
○ For example:
■ The Quran prohibits wine because it intoxicates and impairs judgment. By
analogy, Qiyas extends this ruling to include modern intoxicants like
drugs.
● Significance in Law:
○ Helps address new issues arising in evolving societies.
○ Ensures that Islamic law remains relevant and applicable to modern life.
Interrelation of the Sources
1. Hierarchy:
○ The Quran is the primary source, followed by the Sunnah.
○ Ijma and Qiyas derive legitimacy from the Quran and Sunnah.
2. Dynamic Nature:
○ Together, these sources allow for flexibility and adaptability in Islamic law while
maintaining its divine foundations.
Conclusion
The four fundamental sources—Quran, Sunnah, Ijma, and Qiyas—form the foundation of
Islamic jurisprudence. While the Quran and Sunnah provide divine guidance, Ijma and Qiyas
enable scholars to interpret and apply Islamic principles to new and evolving situations. This
comprehensive framework ensures that Islamic law remains both timeless and relevant.
