فقہ اسلامی کا تاریخی ارتقاء اور عصر حاضر میں شرعی ادلہ کی اہمیت(ایک تحقیقی مطالعہ) THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHAR‘I EVIDENCES IN THE CONTEMPORARY ERA (A RESEARCH-BASED STUDY) Section Islamic Literature

Abstract

Islam is a universal religion that emphasizes not only worship and beliefs but also provides comprehensive guidance for all aspects of human life—individual, collective, social, economic, legal, and political. The practical manifestation of this divine guidance is found in the science of Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), which organizes, systematizes, and codifies the details and specificities of Islamic law (Shari‘ah).Islamic jurisprudence is not merely a collection of legal rulings and commands; rather, it is an extensive intellectual and scholarly system. It has drawn upon the Holy Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the ijtihād (independent reasoning) of the Companions, the insight and understanding of the Successors (Tābi‘īn), and the legal opinions of the renowned jurists (Imams). Through this rich foundation, it offers guidance for every dimension of human life. The historical evolution of Islamic jurisprudence has passed through various phases of Islamic history, emerging as a structured intellectual legacy that not only serves religious purposes but also manifests Islam’s practical guidance in civil, social, and political spheres.

The development of Islamic jurisprudence began in the simple society of the early Islamic period, continued through the intellectual flourishing of the Abbasid era, witnessed the formation of different schools of thought, saw the compilation and codification of Fiqh under the Ottoman Empire, and eventually encountered new challenges under colonial influence. In every age, new issues emerged, and jurists responded by deriving rulings in the light of Shar‘i evidences. This tradition of ijtihād has remained the hallmark of Fiqh, ensuring its intellectual vitality and practical relevance across generations.The foundational sources of Islamic jurisprudence are known as adillah shar‘iyyah (Shar‘i evidences), which include the Holy Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the consensus (ijmā‘) of the Muslim community, analogical reasoning (qiyās), and other subsidiary sources. These sources provided jurists with the tools to derive legal rulings, enabling Islamic law to remain both strong in foundation and flexible in application—effectively addressing changing circumstances throughout history.Today, the world is confronted with unprecedented developments in modern science, technology, the global economic system, social media, biological research, artificial intelligence, and various other contemporary challenges. In such a context, the importance of Islamic jurisprudence and its foundational sources has increased manifold. This era calls not merely for blind adherence (taqlīd), but for renewed ijtihād, academic inquiry, and exploration of fresh intellectual avenues. Providing solutions to modern issues in the light of Shar‘i evidences is a pressing need of our time so that Islamic jurisprudence may continue to fulfill its practical and philosophical role in the modern world.Against this backdrop, this article seeks to examine the historical development of Islamic jurisprudence and highlight the significance of Shar‘i evidences in the contemporary era. This study will not only help in understanding the rich legacy of Islamic Fiqh but will also illuminate the possibilities for Shar‘i guidance in addressing the complex issues of our time.