Shariah Intelligence Course

Course Description

“SHARI’AH INTELLIGENCE” is a new course resulting from the need to handle the distortions of faith experienced by contemporary Muslims which arise from the lack of understanding or neglect of Usul al-Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence) and Maqasid al-Shari’ah (Higher Objectives of the Islamic Path).

These fields guide and regulate the conduct of ijtihad or “juristic reasoning” when responding to new realities and challenges. The role of Usul al-Fiqh is to design a consistent methodology and protocols by which a jurist can best represent the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in any societal situation or context, especially when the text of the Qur’an and Sunnah are either inconclusive or silent. Competence in this critical field qualifies a scholar to become proficient in giving religious verdicts (as a Mufti) or even a distinguished jurist consult (Mujtahid). Usul al-Fiqh and Maqasid al-Shari’ah have become “endangered subjects”.

Given the current challenges facing the Ummah and the fact that the in-depth study of these subjects has become very uncommon, one would argue that this field, which is a fard kifayah (collective obligation), has become fard ‘ayn (individual obligation) upon those involved in talking about Islam and answering questions of critical importance, especially to peaceful coexistence, social justice and the progress of the Ummah.

The term “Shari’ah Intelligence” was conceived to refer to the unique knowledge and skills required to think in a manner faithful to the objectives and approaches of the Shari’ah. Shari’ah Intelligence is, in this way, similar to the term “Emotional Intelligence” in that the knowledge and skills used to develop the intelligence must be learned.

A number of good books on Usul al-Fiqh and Maqasid al-Shari’ah have been written in English by scholars such as Mohammad Hashim Kamali, Jasser Auda, Umar Faruk AbdAllah, Khaled Abou El-Fadl, Tariq Ramadan, Taha Jabir Al-Alwani and a few others. Most of these books may be described as a much deeper introduction to the subject than this present course material. Yet even the books written by the scholars mentioned above only brush over the surface of a dynamic and sophisticated intellectual legacy.

This course does not qualify a participant as anything but being a learner. The eminent Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah once said that the field of Usul al-Fiqh and Maqasid is a large city. If this is so, then going through this course will be like taking a hurried walk through the main street of the city with quick glimpses down the side streets – a quick introduction to a highly expansive territory. Nonetheless, we believe that the glimpse we get is worth the walk. And Allah knows best.

May our journey be blessed!