ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Shia Rebuts Question 28: What are the sources of Shi‘i jurisprudence {fiqh}? Reply: Following the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (S), the Shi‘ah infer religious laws from four fundamental sources: The Book of Allah (Qur’an); The Sunnah of the Prophet (S); Consensus { ijma‘ }; and Reason { ‘aql }.

Now, we will take a glance at the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (S) which are the most fundamental fountainheads of Shi‘i jurisprudence { fiqh }: The Book of Allah (Qur’an) The followers of the Shi‘i school regard the Qur’an as the firmest source of its jurisprudence and the criterion of understanding divine laws.

They consider the heavenly book of Islam as the loftiest reference of divine laws, and think that any opinion must be assessed according to the Qur’an, and in case of its conformity with the Qur’an, it is accepted, and if not, it is rejected.

Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ), the sixth Imam followed by the Shi‘ah, thus says in this regard: "وكل حديث لا يوافق كتاب الله فهو زخرف." “Any statement, which is not in conformity with the Book of Allah, is worthless.”[^1] Also, Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) thus narrates from the Holy Prophet (S): "أيها الناس ما جاءكم عني يوافق كتاب الله فأنا قلته وما جاءكم يخالف كتاب الله فلم أقلة." “O people!

When you hear a statement which is attributed to me and is in harmony with the Book of Allah, take it for granted that I have said it; otherwise, I have not said it.”[^2] These two hadith s show clearly that leaders of the Shi‘ah regard the holy scripture of Muslims as the firmest source of religious laws.

The Sunnah The Sunnah , that is the sayings, actions of the Messenger of Allah (S) and whatever he approved, is the second fountainhead of Shi‘i jurisprudence, and the Imams from the of the Prophet (S) are independently regarded as the transmitters of the Sunnah of the Prophet (S) and repository of his knowledge. Of course, the Shi‘ah also accept the Prophetic hadith s which are transmitted by reliable people other than the Imams ( ‘a ).

At this point, it is appropriate to consider two things: The reason for clinging to the Sunnah of the Prophet (S) The leaders of the Shi‘ah have enjoined their followers to cling to the Sunnah of the Prophet (S) alongside the Qur’an, commending both the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (S).