Contents

Dedication

A Word From the Editors

Introduction

Chapter One

Usul al Fiqh: Methodology for Research and Knowledge in Islamic Jurisprudence

• Definition

• Subject Matter

• Benefit

• The Sciences From Which Usul al Fiqh Derived its Academic Basis

• Origins and Development of Usul al Fiqh

• Methods For Deriving Rulings From the Sources

Chapter Two

The Sahabah who Gave Fatawa During the Prophet's Lifetime

• The Era of the Great Sahabah

• The Time of Abu Bakr al Siddiq

• Special Features of Fiqh in that Period

• The Time of 'Umar Ibn al Khattab

• The Time of 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan

• The Time of 'Ali Ibn Abu Talib

• The Fuqaha' Among the Sahabah and the Tabi'un

Chapter Three

Legislation After the Time of the Sahabah

• After the Tabi'un: The Time of the Mujtahid Imams

• Rationalists and Traditionists: Ahl al Hadith and Ahl al Ra'i

Chapter Four

Al Imam al Shafi'i

• The Method of al Imam al Shafi'i in His Book: Al Risalah

Chapter Five

Usul al Fiqh After al Imam al Shafi'i

• Developments in Usul Al Fiqh After al Imam al Shafi'i

• The Role of the Followers of Abu Hanifah in the Writing of al Usul

• The Methods of the Followers of al Imam al Shafi'i, or the Mutakallimun, and those of the Hanafiyah

• The Method of the Hanafi Scholars of al Usul

• The Science of Usul al Fiqh During the Sixth Century AH and The Following Period

Chapter Six

Issues Related to Ijtihad

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