Some of their companions were recommended to study religion...

Some of their companions were recommended to study religion thoroughly and become Faqih, and when they attained that degree of knowledge, they were called fuqaha. We know of quite a few students of our Imams (A.S.) who were known as Shi’ah Fuqaha by their contemporaries. The Term faqih as elucidated by Islamic Scholars In the Quran and Hadith, Fiqh denotes profound understanding and knowledge of Islamic fundamentals and laws, and is not confined to any particular branch of religious sciences.

But with the passage of time, the word becomes synonymous with the knowledge of Islamic laws and jurisprudence. The Ulema have divided Islamic teachings into three groups: Principles of Faith: ­ These are the fundamentals which are related to one's faith, like the belief of God, the resurrection and the Day of Judgement, the Prophethood, the divine revelation, the Angels, the Imamat.

**Moral behaviour and ethics:**­ These are aimed at improving human behaviour and cultivating spiritual aspects of our existence. They deal with taqwa, Justice, Generosity, Bravery, Patience, Submission to the Will of Allah, and so on. Practical laws: ­ These deal with the rules and regulations laid down for certain acts, and also provide guidelines for the way these acts be performed.

The Fuqaha of Islam have restricted the use of the word Fiqh to the third category, perhaps because it has been a matter of popular concern, and that the believer sought such guidance more often. This is why men of proficiency in this branch of Islamic knowledge only came to be known as 'Fuqaha'. Hukm taklifi & Hukm wadh'ee It is important that we are acquainted with some of the terminologies used by fuqaha in relation to Islamic laws.

The divine laws are divided by them in two groups: taklifi and wadh'ee. taklifi laws are wajib, haram, mustahab, makrooh and mubah. These are five aspects of Islamic laws which a Muslim has to keep in mind while discharging his obligations. In Islam, every human act will fall in one of these five categories.

There are acts which are wajib, which must be performed as an obligation, like the daily prayers, as opposed to those which are haram and forbidden, like speaking lies, being unjust, intoxication, and so on. Then there are acts which are optional. They are recommended acts which are rewarded, but if not performed, no sin is committed. The example is optional prayers (nafilah) which either precede or follow the daily prayers.