CSS Islamiat Sources of Islamic Law Syllabus

Sources of Islamic Law syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Sources of Islamic Law in CSS Islamiat, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   The Holy Quran

   3 topics

   • Quran as Primary Source
   • Teachings and Themes of the Quran
   • Quranic Principles of Legislation
2. 2

   Sunnah and Hadith

   3 topics

   • Concept of Sunnah
   • Authority and Status of Sunnah
   • Compilation and Sciences of Hadith
3. 3

   Ijma (Consensus)

   3 topics

   • Concept and Authority of Ijma
   • Procedure of Ijma
   • Kinds of Ijma
4. 4

   Ijtihad and Qiyas

   3 topics

   • Concept of Ijtihad
   • Procedure of Ijtihad
   • Qiyas (Analogical Reasoning)

Sources of Islamic Law flashcards for CSS Islamiat

23 of 51 cards from the Sources of Islamic Law deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the four primary sources (usul) of Islamic law in Sunni jurisprudence, in order of authority?

   1) The Quran, 2) The Sunnah, 3) Ijma (consensus), 4) Qiyas (analogical reasoning).

2. Why is the Quran called the 'primary source' of Islamic law?

   Because it is the literal, revealed word of Allah, the highest authority from which all other sources derive their validity; no other source may contradict it.

3. Over what period and where was the Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?

   Over approximately 23 years (610-632 CE) in Makkah and Madinah, revealed gradually through the angel Jibreel.

4. What is the difference between Makki and Madani surahs in terms of legal content?

   Makki surahs mainly deal with faith (tawheed), morality, and the hereafter; Madani surahs contain most of the detailed legal injunctions (ahkam) on worship, society, and law.

5. Approximately how many verses of the Quran deal directly with legal injunctions (ayat al-ahkam)?

   About 500 verses, of which roughly 200 deal with specific legal rulings.

6. What are the three broad themes/teachings of the Quran?

   1) Aqaid (beliefs/doctrines, e.g. Tawheed, prophethood, hereafter), 2) Ahkam (laws regulating worship and human conduct), 3) Akhlaq (morality and ethics) along with stories and admonitions.

7. In Quranic legal terminology, what are the five categories (al-ahkam al-khamsa) of human actions?

   Fard/Wajib (obligatory), Mandub/Mustahabb (recommended), Mubah (permissible/neutral), Makruh (disliked), and Haram (forbidden).

8. What is meant by the Quranic principle of 'gradualism' (tadrij) in legislation?

   Laws were revealed in stages to ease people into compliance, e.g. the prohibition of alcohol came in progressive stages rather than at once.

9. What is the Quranic principle of 'removing hardship' (raf al-haraj)?

   Islamic law aims to remove difficulty; Allah intends ease not hardship (Quran 2:185), giving rise to concessions (rukhsah) like shortened prayer and permission to break the fast when travelling.

10. What is the principle of 'fewness of obligations' (qillat al-takalif) in Quranic legislation?

    The Quran does not overburden believers with excessive commands; obligations are limited and manageable, in line with 'Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity' (2:286).

11. What is the principle of 'consideration of public interest' (maslaha) reflected in Quranic legislation?

    Quranic rulings aim to secure benefit and prevent harm, protecting the five essentials (maqasid): religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property.

12. How does the Quran legislate using both general principles and specific rules? Give an example.

    It lays down broad principles (e.g. 'fulfil your contracts', justice, shura) while giving specific details in select matters (e.g. fixed inheritance shares, hudud punishments).

13. What is the linguistic and technical meaning of 'Sunnah'?

    Linguistically, a clear, well-trodden path or way; technically, the sayings (qawl), actions (fi'l), and tacit approvals (taqrir) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

14. What are the three types/components of the Sunnah?

    1) Sunnah Qawliyyah (verbal - the Prophet's sayings/hadith), 2) Sunnah Fi'liyyah (practical - his actions), 3) Sunnah Taqririyyah (tacit approval - things he permitted by silence).

15. What is the difference between Hadith and Sunnah?

    Hadith is the recorded narration/report of what the Prophet said, did, or approved; Sunnah is the practice and normative example itself. Hadith is the vehicle that conveys the Sunnah.

16. What Quranic verses establish the authority of the Sunnah as a source of law?

    Verses such as 'Obey Allah and obey the Messenger' (4:59), 'Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it' (59:7), and 'He does not speak from desire' (53:3-4).

17. What are the main functions of the Sunnah in relation to the Quran?

    1) Confirming/affirming Quranic rulings, 2) Explaining and detailing them (e.g. how to pray), 3) Specifying the general/restricting the absolute, and 4) Establishing rulings not mentioned in the Quran.

18. Give an example of the Sunnah establishing a ruling independent of an explicit Quranic text.

    The prohibition of combining a woman with her paternal/maternal aunt in marriage, and the forbidding of domestic donkeys' meat and fanged beasts of prey.

19. Why is the Sunnah considered the second source of Islamic law rather than the first?

    Because its authority is derived from the Quran's command to obey the Prophet; it explains and supplements the Quran but ranks below it in case of apparent conflict in authenticity.

20. What is the difference between Hadith Qudsi and the Quran?

    In Hadith Qudsi the meaning is from Allah but the wording is the Prophet's; in the Quran both meaning and exact wording are from Allah, it is miraculous (mu'jiz), recited in prayer, and transmitted by tawatur.

21. What are the two main parts of a hadith and what does each mean?

    1) Isnad/Sanad - the chain of narrators, 2) Matn - the actual text/content of the report.

22. How is a hadith classified by the number of its narrators (chains)?

    Mutawatir (reported by so many at each level that collusion on a lie is impossible) and Ahad (reported by a limited number, including mashhur, aziz, and gharib).

23. How is a hadith classified by its degree of authenticity/reliability?

    Sahih (sound/authentic), Hasan (good), Da'if (weak), and Mawdu (fabricated/forged).

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