Introductory Sources of Fiqh

Read the bilingual lesson for Introductory Sources of Fiqh and test your understanding with a focused quiz.

Lesson

1. From Ruling Categories to Sources of Fiqh

In the previous levels, terms such as Farz, Wajib, Mubah, Makruh, and Haram described categories of rulings.
This level introduces something different: sources and recognized foundations of juristic knowledge.
The 4 names to recognize are Qur'an, Sunnah, Ijma', and Qiyas.

2. The Qur'an

The Qur'an is the Book of Allah and a foundational source of Islamic rulings.
Juristic scholarship seeks to understand its Shari'ah guidance through a reliable scholarly method.
Recognizing it as a source does not mean that anyone may independently derive a new ruling merely by reading a translation.

3. The Sunnah as a Source

In this lesson's source context, Sunnah means guidance transmitted from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is included among the foundational sources of Fiqh.
This is different from using the word Sunnah as a category of a ruling.

4. One Word, Two Contexts

The word Sunnah can appear in 2 different contexts in this course:
1. 'This act is Sunnah' → Sunnah is being used as a ruling category.
2. 'The Qur'an and Sunnah are sources of Fiqh' → Sunnah is being used in the source sense.
The sentence's context tells you which meaning is intended.

5. Ijma'

Ijma' is the agreement of the Ummah's qualified Mujtahids in a given era after the Prophet's passing on a Shari'ah ruling.
So not every agreement inside a group, class, or meeting is Ijma'.

6. Qiyas

Qiyas is introduced here only as a recognized usuli method for understanding a Shari'ah ruling, used by a qualified and trained Mujtahid.
It is not a personal guess based merely on noticing an outward similarity between two things.
This level does not teach the mechanics of Qiyas.

7. The Four-Source Recognition Map

At this stage, remember only these introductory roles:
1. Qur'an → the Book of Allah and a foundational source.
2. Sunnah → guidance transmitted from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
3. Ijma' → agreement of qualified Mujtahids in a given era after the Prophet's passing on a Shari'ah ruling.
4. Qiyas → a recognized usuli method used by a qualified and trained Mujtahid.

8. What This Level Does — and Does Not — Teach

Your goal in this level is recognition, not derivation.
You should be able to name the 4 sources and state their short introductory roles.
You are not being taught to derive rulings from the Qur'an or Sunnah, establish Ijma', or perform Qiyas.

Practice questions

Question 1

Which set gives the 4 foundational sources introduced in this level?

Qur'an, Sunnah, Ijma', Qiyas
Farz, Wajib, Mubah, Haram
Faqih, Mujtahid, Mas'alah, Fatwa

Question 2

What introductory role is given to the Qur'an?

The Book of Allah and a foundational source of Islamic rulings
A personal juristic opinion
A category like Mubah

Question 3

In the phrase 'the Qur'an and Sunnah are sources of Fiqh,' what does Sunnah mean here?

Guidance transmitted from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
Only a ruling category for an act
A personal habit

Question 4

Why can the word Sunnah have two different meanings in this course?

Its intended meaning depends on the context of the sentence
The word has no technical meaning
Both meanings are always identical

Question 5

Which statement correctly describes Ijma' in this level?

Agreement of the Ummah's qualified Mujtahids in a given era after the Prophet's passing on a Shari'ah ruling
Any agreement among a few students
Any family custom

Question 6

Match each source to its introductory role.

Question 7

Which statement about Qiyas is correct in this introductory level?

It is a recognized usuli method used by a qualified and trained Mujtahid
Anyone may perform it by noticing an outward similarity
It means choosing according to personal preference

Question 8

A learner reads a translation of one verse and immediately claims a new ruling. Which point from this level applies?

Recognizing the Qur'an as a source does not mean anyone may independently derive a new ruling merely from a translation
Every translation automatically produces a new ruling
The Qur'an is not a source of Fiqh

Question 9

A few students agree on an answer. Does that automatically become Ijma'?

No; Ijma' concerns qualified Mujtahids of a given era and a Shari'ah ruling
Yes; every group agreement is Ijma'
Yes, if there are at least 4 students

Question 10

What is the main learning goal of this level?

Recognize the 4 sources and their short introductory roles without deriving a ruling
Learn the complete mechanics of Qiyas
Begin independently deriving rulings from translations

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