THE USŪLĪ DISTINCTIONS AS PRESENTED BY IMAM AL-SHAWKĀNĪ IN ['IRSHĀD AL-FUḤŪL]

Abstract

The research aims to collect, document, and analyze the "Usūlī" (fundamental) distinctions outlined by Imām al-Shawkānī, who passed away in the year 1250H. These distinctions are outlined in his book "Irshād al-Fuḥūl fī Taḥqīq al-Ḥaqq min ʿIlm al-Uṣūl," which translates to "Guiding the Eminent in Verifying the Truth from the Knowledge of Principles of Jurisprudence." The research places emphasis on the Imām's attention to these fundamental distinctions and explores any jurisprudential ("Fiqhī") impact that these Usūlī differences might carry. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the significance of these differences in the construction of Islamic legal rulings. This is performed through a comparison and assessment of differing jurisprudential opinions on contentious issues. The analytical approach adopted in this research was inductive, using Imam al-Shawkānī's book as a primary resource. The research concluded that having a comprehensive understanding of the discipline of Usūlī differences aids in defining similarly fundamental terminologies. It found that certain differences influence Islamic rulings, while others do not. The study highlights the precision of the author in deriving these Usūlī differences, which is demonstrated through the presentation of objections, explaining the justification for prioritizing certain differences over others, commenting on them, and making comparisons. It was found that these differences form the core of the Usūlī dispute, which in turn underpins the Fiqhī disagreement. Moreover, the research discussed the scholarly diversity of Imām al-Shawkānī in his book "Irshād al-Fuḥūl," drawing examples from Imām al-Rāzī's work (d. 606H) "al-Maḥṣūl," and Imām al-Zarkashī's work (d. 794H) "al-Baḥr al-Muḥīṭ." The study ultimately recommends the consolidation of the Usūlī and Fiqhī distinctions that can be drawn from the author's work, specifically through his book "Nīl al-Awṭār,".