Course Overview
Allah’s guidance has reached humanity primarily through words, which are themselves vessels of meaning. Being people of purpose, the scholars of this great tradition developed principles of interpretation by which they could reliably derive sound meanings from these primary texts. The derived legal rulings and corresponding applications are called fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence). And the theories of law used to derive these rulings are called Usul al-Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence).
Samt al-Wusul is a summary of the Manar al-Anwar of Imam al-Nasafi; a relied upon intermediate epitome of the principles of jurisprudence. It was employed by Imam Abu Hanifa, which he inherited from his teachers and is employed by his many adherents. These legal principles are not immediately necessary to follow Islam, but they are necessary to deepen the understanding of divine guidance as it relates to outward actions. They are also a prerequisite to studying fiqh in the intermediate stage.
This text covers the discussions on the sources of law, the command and prohibition, intrinsic and extrinsic good and bad, the levels of indication of words and their usages, the levels of decisiveness of establishment of texts, consensus and analogy, moral responsibility and some closing discussions. Students will learn the principles of understanding meanings from words according to the Hanafi school and how rulings are derived from primary texts. Students will gain a deeper understanding, appreciation of Islamic law and the ability to study it deeply.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Hanafi principles of understanding meanings from words
- Explain how rulings are derived from primary texts
- Understand and appreciate Islamic law
- Be primed to study the advanced works of the Hanafi school of law
