Islamic Legal Theory (USL 102)

At a time when there are a myriad of opinions about almost everything, and so many people quoting the Quran and Sunna to promote their own interpretations of Islam, it has become more important than ever to equip ourselves with the ability to discern right from wrong. Uṣūl al-Fiqh is a discipline which provides the methodology that must be used by anyone who attempts to pronounce an Islamic verdict on an issue. Learning Uṣūl al-Fiqh not only gives us an understanding and appreciation for the process of ijtihad, but also empowers us to evaluate the legitimacy of a legal opinion. In this seminar students will learn about the sources of Islamic jurisprudence, the rules of interpreting the sacred texts, the higher objectives of Islamic law [maqāṣid al-sharīʿa], legal maxims [al-qawāʾid al-fiqhiyya], and the status of innovation [bidʿa] in Islam.