What is Fiqh?
Is it important to study Fiqh?
In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful.
Answer:
The word fiqh literally means deep, full understanding. Technically it refers to Islamic Jurisprudence (Islamic law extracted from detailed Islamic sources).
The Prophet (sallal laho alaihi wa sallam) said, “The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim …” (Al-Tirmidhi, 74)
Acquiring knowledge can be classified in to two categories.
1) Fardh –e- Ain: Compulsory upon each and every individual. i.e. Shahadah, Salaat, Zakaat, Fasting, Hajj, Halal, Haram etc.
2) Fard –e- Kifayah: Collective duty, meaning that it is not compulsory upon each and every individual, but if a group of individual undertake this task then all other individuals will be exempted from this duty and the entire community will be free from negligence. However if no one acquires this type of knowledge then the entire community will be accountable. Examples of this type of knowledge is an in depth study of the Islamic Jurisprudence.
From the above it is clear that it will be a duty upon each individual to acquire a level of knowledge by which he/she can live their life according to the commands of Allah and his Prophet.
There are many rewards associated with acquiring knowledge. Allah states in the Quran, “Allah raises the level of those who believe and those who are endowed with knowledge.” (Surah Al-Mujadila:11)
In another verse Allah states, “… Are those who know equal with those who do not know? But only men of understanding will pay heed.” (Surah Az-Zumar: 9)
Abu Dardaa said that the Prophet (sallal laho alaihi wa sallam) said: “Those people endowed with knowledge are the inheritors of the prophets.” (Abu Dawood, 1631).
In another Hadith the Prophet (sallal laho alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whosoever Allah wishes good for, He bestows upon him understanding of the Deen.” (Sahih Al Bukhari, 9.415).
The meaning of “Deen” in the above Hadith is the knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah. May Allah give us the ability to acquire the knowledge of his religion. Ameen.
Only Allah knows best
Sayeedur Rahman
Darul Ifta, Birmingham
