ISLAMIC THEOLOGY-PART 2

What is the difference between the (i) study of Quran, (ii) study of Hadith, (iii) Study of Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and (iv) Study of Islamic Theology?

Study of Quran and Hadith is common for all Muslims. But deducing Fiqh rules from these sources is the work of Doctors of Islamic Jurisprudence. Islamic Ummah has consensus opinion that the 4 Islamic School of thoughts (i) Hanafi, (ii) Maliki, (iii) Shafi’i, and (iv) Hanbali are the valid schools of thought who have deduced Islamic laws from Quran and Sunnah.

Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) deals with Islamic Laws, while Islamic Theology or Islamic Wisdom deals with beliefs associated with the Islamic faith.

The Jurisprudential rules are made to accommodate the entire community. Like we are required to pay in charity 2.5 per cent of our wealth as Zakah every year. This is rule.

 

But look at the practical example, Prophet (SAWS) has presented to Muslims. He never kept anything for himsel or f or his family that could make him eligible to pay Zakah as per Islamic laws. He used to give everything in alms and charity and many a times he did not have food for his house hold.

 

This act of Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) is the act of Ihsan. History of Islam shows that real Sufis or the Shaikhs of Ihsan never kept anything for them or their families. They lived the life of simplicity. They are practicing people of Ihsan.

They are the real elevated followers of Prophet’s (SAWS) traditions.

There are many facets of Prophet Mohammad’s (SAWS) life which are left untouched in Islamic Jurisprudential laws. These are covered under Islamic Theology. Similarly, details of some exceptional deeds have to be deduced from Prophet's (SAWS) life.  Like, a Muslim is required to do 5 times Salah in a day. This is an Islamic obligation for every Muslim. The law says, you will be Muslim if you do 5 times Salah per day. The law does not force people to do more than that.

But if you want to follow the rules of Ihsan and be a better Muslim, how many more Salahs you should do? The law is silent on this.

This issue is answered in Islamic Theology. Theology guides you how many more Salah Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) and his companions used to do beyond the minimum 5 times a day.

The study of Islamic Theology not only makes us a better Muslim, but it also helps us in becoming a Correct Muslim. As a matter of fact Islamic rules of Fiqh can only be understood correctly when we study Islamic Theology.