Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh
Fiqh Structure
Know the five rulings (wajib, mandub, mubah, makruh, haram) and the conditions of validity for worship: purity, intention, time, and direction. Be able to outline the pillars of salah, the conditions of wudu, the categories of zakat, and the essentials of fasting and hajj.
Usul al-Fiqh
Usul governs how rulings are derived. Master the sources: Qur'an, Sunnah, ijma' (consensus), and qiyas (analogy), plus secondary principles such as maslahah, istihsan, and 'urf. Understand the four schools' methodologies, the distinction between definitive (qat'i) and probable (zanni) evidence, and the maxims of jurisprudence (qawa'id fiqhiyyah) such as "hardship brings ease."
Traps
- Confusing a school's position with the only valid position.
- Treating a recommended act as obligatory.
- Confusing the conditions of prayer with its pillars.
- Applying qiyas without identifying the effective cause ('illah).
Worked Example
A new substance raises a ruling question. Identify the effective cause in the textual ruling, confirm it exists in the new case, and check for a stronger text or consensus that overrides analogy. Rule of thumb: qiyas requires a known 'illah, not mere similarity.