Introduction to Fiqh and Its Sources

Introduction to Islamic Jurisprudence

Fiqh (فقه) means understanding. As a technical term it refers to the detailed knowledge of Islamic legal rulings derived from evidence.

The Four Primary Sources (Usul al-Fiqh)

1. Quran — Primary source. Direct word of Allah.

2. Sunnah — The Prophet's ﷺ practice and statements. Interprets and supplements the Quran.

3. Ijma' — Scholarly consensus. If all mujtahideen of an era agree, it becomes binding.

4. Qiyas — Analogy. Applying existing ruling to new cases sharing same effective cause.

The Four Sunni Madhahib

| School | Founder | Region |

|--------|---------|--------|

| Hanafi | Imam Abu Hanifa (699–767) | South Asia, Turkey, Central Asia |

| Maliki | Imam Malik (711–795) | North/West Africa, UAE |

| Shafi'i | Imam al-Shafi'i (767–820) | Egypt, SE Asia, East Africa |

| Hanbali | Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780–855) | Saudi Arabia, Gulf |

All four schools are equally valid. Following one is recommended for consistency.

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