Ikhtilāf Before and After the Age of Taqlīd: Rethinking Islamic Law Through the Lens of Juristic Disagreements
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66362/iji.v1i5.21Keywords:
Islamic law, Islamic history, juristic disagreement, legal pluralism, ᶜilm al-ikhtilāfAbstract
Sharia law represents a profoundly diverse and adaptable legal system with ᶜilm al-ikhtilāf (the science of juristic disagreement) as the most prominent manifestation of its comparative and pluralistic nature. While modern scholarship acknowledges the diverse origins of Islamic law, the pivotal role of foundational discords in its development remains understudied. This article unravels the intricate fabric and consequential implications of ikhtilāf by examining the emergence of Sharia law through the lens of juristic disagreements. It argues that a deeper historical understanding of the pluralistic bases and inherent social dynamism of Islamic law is essential for fostering nuanced discussions of the Muslim legal tradition and reinforcing the notion that diversity and flexibility are integral to its identity. This study is structured into three main sections. The first two sections explore the status and function of ikhtilāf across two historical phases: before and after the age of taqlīd. The third section retraces ikhtilāf as articulated in some of its key classical works.
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