Renewing Islamic Jurisprudence: Some of Its Mechanisms

Summary

This lecture presents very important issues, such as the necessity of distinguishing between the fixed divine law and evolving human jurisprudence, the importance of free reasoning (ijtihad) based on the objectives of the Islamic Law (Shariah), and a description of the sayings (aqwal) and actions (af’al) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to determine which of them constituted general legislation and which were ijtihad specific to his time and place.

It also emphasizes that sharia is not a set of rigid rulings, but rather a system that seeks to achieve justice and public interest. It also emphasizes that stagnation does not preserve religion, but rather obstructs its role in people's lives. The disconnect between jurisprudence and the changing realities of life leads to its isolation from life, while the objectives of sharia are the key to re-employing it to achieve justice and mercy.