The Maxims of Islamic Law
“Inspiring, beneficial, dynamic, grounded”…this is how some participants described the ICCI’s Maxims of Islamic Law public seminar held in Clonskeagh recently.
The energetic Dr Nouraddein Karrat delivered a spirited presentation to a very engaged audience. He explained and defined the concept from the perspective from the Ulema of 'Usul,and the Ulema of Hadith, both linguistically and textually. He referred to the sources of Islamic Law; the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, consensus of opinion (ijmaa), the analogical reasoning(alqiyas), considerations of public interest (almasalih almorsalah), Istihan (equity in Islamic Law), Istishab (presumption of continuity),Sadd alzira'e (blocking means) and ‘Urf (customs).
Classifications
Dr Karatt elaborated on the classifications of Islamic Law and identified indespensible neccesities; no human could do without, no matter what the circumstances. The needs, he stressed, hold the key for people to fulfil important duties in their lives. And the resultant “niceties” which follows which makes life beautiful and make our lives fuller and richer.
Dr Karrat identified the five essentials as follows:
1. The Preservation of Faith
2. The Preservation of Life
3. The Preservation of Reason
4. The Preservation of Lineage
5. The Preservation of Wealth.
Allah Law is Supreme
Islamic Law is a very complex, but the articulate Dr Karatt broke down these complex concepts which was hugely beneficial to the audience. Dr Karatt concluded by saying that it is only Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful, who knows man's rightful needs and who commands all that is good and warns against all that is evil.
Allah is the only lawgiver to enact and legislate Laws, and his commands include the vision of universal peace for all humanity. Allah’s law are perfect and universal, and tailor-made for mankind’s needs and rights.
