Sources of Islamic Law (Quran and Hadith)
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Sources of Islamic Law — Key Facts for FPSC CSS (Pakistan)
Primary Sources:
| Source | Priority | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Quran | 1st | The Holy Book — word of Allah |
| Sunnah/Hadith | 2nd | Practices of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) |
Secondary Sources:
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Ijma (إجماع) | Consensus of scholars |
| Qiyas (قياس) | Analogy |
| Ijtihad (اجتهاد) | Independent reasoning |
| Istihsan (استحسان) | Juristic preference |
| Maslaha Mursala | Public interest |
| Urf (عرف) | Customary practice |
The Four Sunni Schools (Madhahib):
| Madhab | Founder | Predominant Region |
|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | Imam Abu Hanifa | Turkey, Central Asia, South Asia |
| Maliki | Malik ibn Anas | North Africa, West Africa |
| Shafi’i | Imam al-Shafi’i | Egypt, Yemen, Southeast Asia |
| Hanbali | Ahmad ibn Hanbal | Saudi Arabia |
⚡ CSS Tip: Pakistan follows the Hanafi school as its official school of thought for personal law, while the Shafi’i school is predominant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s coastal areas.
🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)
Standard content for students with a few days to months.
Sources of Islamic Law — Detailed Study Guide
The Quran — The Primary Source
Revelation History
- Duration: 23 years (610-632 CE)
- Revelation: Through Angel Jibrael (Gabriel) to Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
- Revelation Modes: Revealed partly in Mecca (Makki), partly in Medina (Madani)
- Preservation: Memorized by companions, written on parchment, preserved in hearts
Revelation Context
Makki Surahs (Meccan):
- Revealed before Hijra (622 CE)
- Topics: Tauheed, Day of Judgment, moral teachings
- Shorter, rhythmic verses
- Surahs: Al-Fatiha, Al-Ikhlas, Al-A’la, etc.
Madani Surahs:
- Revealed after Hijra
- Topics: Islamic law, society, governance, battles
- Longer, detailed verses
- Surahs: Al-Baqarah, Aal-e-Imran, An-Nisa, Al-Ma’idah, etc.
Quranic Sciences (Ulum al-Quran)
Qira’at (Readings):
- Different authentic recitation methods
- Hafs: Most widely used (used in Pakistan)
- Warsh: Used in North Africa
Tajweed: Rules of recitation (correct pronunciation)
Tafsir (Exegesis):
| Scholar | Tafsir Work |
|---|---|
| Ibn Kathir | Tafsir Ibn Kathir |
| Jalalain | Tafsir al-Jalalain |
| Al-Tabari | Jami’ al-Bayan |
| Al-Qurtubi | Al-Jami’ li Ahkam al-Quran |
Content Organization
114 Surahs (Chapters):
| Category | Number of Surahs | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Muqatta’at | 29 | Surahs beginning with abbreviated letters |
| Makki | ~86 | Revealed in Mecca |
| Madani | ~28 | Revealed in Medina |
Juz and Para:
- 30 parts (Juz/Am)
- 60 sections (Hizb)
- Each Juz roughly equals one month’s reading
The Sunnah and Hadith
What is Sunnah?
- Sunnah: The practices, sayings, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
- Hadith: The verbal record of the Sunnah
- Together they form the second source of Islamic law
Hadith Classification
By Content:
| Type | Arabic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Qudsi | قدسي | Revelation from Allah through Prophet’s words |
| Nabawi | نبوي | Prophet’s sayings, actions, approvals |
By Authenticity:
| Grade | Arabic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sahih | صحيح | Authentic — chain and text both sound |
| Hasan | حسن | Good — sound chain, acceptable text |
| Da’if | ضعيف | Weak — problems in chain or text |
| Mawdu’ | موضوع | Fabricated — invented, not from Prophet |
Major Hadith Collections:
| Collection | Compiler | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sahih Bukhari | Imam Bukhari (810-870 CE) | Most authentic after Quran |
| Sahih Muslim | Imam Muslim (821-875 CE) | Second most authentic |
| Sunan al-Tirmidhi | Al-Tirmidhi | Contains Qudsi hadiths |
| Sunan Abu Dawud | Abu Dawud | Focus on Fiqh |
| Sunan al-Nasa’i | Al-Nasa’i | Focus on legal hadiths |
| Sunan Ibn Majah | Ibn Majah | Contains weak hadiths |
The Four Sunan + Sahihayn (Bukhari and Muslim) = Kutub al-Sittah (Six Authentic Books)
Hadith Sciences
Ilm al-Rijal: Science of narrator evaluation
- Each narrator assessed for: Memory, character, piety
- Chain of narrators (Isnad) examined
Ilm al-Jarh wa al-Ta’deel: Science of disparagement and recommendation
Mustalah al-Hadith: Terminology of hadith classification
🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)
Comprehensive coverage for students on a longer study timeline.
Sources of Islamic Law — Complete Notes for FPSC CSS
Detailed Secondary Sources
1. Ijma (Consensus)
Definition: Universal agreement of Muslim scholars (Mujtahideen) of a particular era on a religious issue
Types:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Ijma’ al-Ummah | Consensus of entire Muslim community |
| Ijma’ al-Mujtahideen | Consensus of qualified scholars |
| Ijma’ al-Mutlaq | Absolute consensus |
Basis in Quran: “Whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has been clearly shown… hold fast to the rope of Allah” — scholars use this for authority
Example: Consensus that Prophet Muhammad is the final messenger (Khatm an-Nabiyyeen)
2. Qiyas (Analogy)
Definition: Applying Quran/Hadith ruling to a new case based on similarity
Components:
| Component | Arabic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Asl | الأصل | Original case with known ruling |
| Far’ | الفرع | New case requiring ruling |
| ’Ilal | علل | Effective cause (illah) linking the two |
| Hukum | حكم | The ruling |
Example: Prohibition of alcohol — the ‘illah (cause) is intoxication. Since hashish/ketamine also cause intoxication, they are similarly prohibited.
3. Ijtihad (Independent Reasoning)
Definition: Maximum exertion of a qualified scholar’s effort to derive Islamic rulings
Who Can Perform Ijtihad?:
- Mujtahid Mustashar: Qualified to derive new rulings
- Qualifications: Knowledge of Arabic, Quran, Hadith, Fiqh principles, contemporary issues
The Concept of Closing the Gate of Ijtihad:
- Some scholars claim the gate was closed after early generations
- Majority view: Gate remains open — new situations require new ijtihad
- Contemporary examples: organ transplantation, IVF, cryptocurrency
4. Other Sources and Principles
Istihsan (Juristic Preference):
- Choosing one evidence over another when the latter would lead to an undesirable outcome
- Abu Hanifa’s preferred principle
Maslaha Mursala (Public Interest):
- An unspecified benefit recognized by Shariah but without textual evidence
- Must be real benefit, not speculative
- Example: Regulations to prevent epidemic diseases
Urf (Custom):
- When no textual evidence exists, established custom can be followed
- Condition: Custom must not contradict Shariah
Qiyas al-‘Urf (Analogy based on custom):
- Custom can be considered as ‘illah (effective cause)
Differences Between Schools
| Issue | Hanafi | Shafi’i/Maliki |
|---|---|---|
| Sources priority | Abu Hanifa gave more weight to Qiyas | Gave more weight to Hadith directly |
| Istihsan | Used extensively | Limited use |
| Ijma | Only consensus of companions | Extended to all qualified scholars |
| Viewing Hadith | Preferred some Sahih over weak hadiths | Generally followed all authentic hadiths |
Modern Fiqh Issues
Organ Transplantation:
- Majority view: Permissible — saving life takes priority
- Based on principle: “No harm shall be inflicted nor reciprocated”
IVF and Surrogacy:
- IVF (test-tube baby): Generally permissible between married couples
- Surrogacy: Controversial — some allow, others forbid
- Donor sperm/eggs: Majority forbid — lineage disruption
Cryptocurrency:
- Bitcoin and others: Scholarly debate — some say permissible if no riba/gambling involved
- Others forbid due to speculation (gharar)
Interest (Riba) in Banks:
- All schools agree conventional bank interest is prohibited
- Islamic banking: Uses profit-loss sharing (Mudarabah, Musharakah) instead
CSS Examination Preparation
Key Questions:
1. "Describe the primary and secondary sources of Islamic law."
2. "Explain the process of Hadith authentication."
3. "What is the difference between Sahih, Hasan, and Da'if hadiths?"
4. "Discuss the four major Sunni schools of Fiqh and their differences."
5. "How do Islamic scholars derive rulings for modern issues?"
Key Terms:
- Ilm al-Hadith: Science of Hadith
- Ilm al-Rijal: Science of narrators
- Tajweed: Quranic recitation rules
- Tafsir: Quranic exegesis
- Ijtihad: Independent reasoning
- Qiyas: Analogy
Major Hadith Collections (Kutub al-Sittah):
- Sahih Bukhari — 7,275 hadiths (most authentic)
- Sahih Muslim — 4,000 hadiths
- Sunan al-Tirmidhi
- Sunan Abu Dawud
- Sunan al-Nasa'i
- Sunan Ibn Majah⚡ CSS Strategy: For sources of law, know the Arabic terms and the differences between schools (Hanafi vs. Shafi’i). For Hadith, memorize the six books and their compilers. Contemporary Fiqh issues are increasingly tested.
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