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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Short History of Ilm ul Usul The Importance of ‘Ilm’ul Usul in the process of Deduction After the above discussion, we are no longer in need of stressing the importance of ‘Ilm’ul Usul and the significance of its role in the sphere of deduction, because, as long as it presents its common elements and lays down a general system for it, then, it is the backbone of the process of deduction, and its guiding force.

Thus, without ‘Ilm’ul Usul , an individual would confront in jurisprudence scattered heaps of texts and evidences, without being able to use, or benefit from them through deduction. This is similar to a man who is given the tools of carpentry like a saw and an axe, and who does not know the head or tail of the techniques of carpentry and the method of utilizing those tools.

Just as the common elements, which ‘Ilm’ul Usul studies, are essential for the process of deduction, similarly the particular elements which vary from one legal problem to another, like the scattered terms and expressions of the Qur'an and the Riwayat (Traditions), which constitute these particular varying elements in the process of deduction, attribute to other essential parts, without which deduction is not possible.

And a mere knowledge and comprehension of the common elements which ‘Ilm’ul Usul describes will not suffice for the success of deduction. Also, anyone attempting the process of deduction on the basis of only the knowledge given by ‘Ilm’ul Usul , is similar to one possessing the general theoretical knowledge of carpentry but not having before him any axe, saw or other tools of carpentry.

Just as the latter will be unable to build a wooden bed, for instance, the former will be unable to carry out deduction unless he examines and scrutinizes the varying particular elements as well. Thus, we come to know that the common elements and the particular elements are two conjoint poles of the process of deduction and both are indispensable for it.

It is therefore incumbent upon anyone attempting the process of deduction to study the common elements as defined by ‘Ilm’ul Usul and then to add to it the particular elements, obtained from studies of ‘Ilm’ul Fiqh , so that he may complete the process of deduction which occurs in ‘Ilm’ul Fiqh .