In Good Faith Are Muslim Legal Frameworks Still FIT FOR PURPOSE? [#6 Highlight]
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Jan 12, 2026 Dr. Haroon Sidat, a research associate at Cardiff University specializing in Islamic legal history, delves into the relevance of traditional madhahib in modern times. He discusses the historical significance of the four main schools of Islamic law and questions whether their rigid adherence remains necessary. Sidat emphasizes the importance of context in applying these traditional principles creatively to address today’s challenges. He advocates for tolerance and open scholarly debate, highlighting the need for adaptable rulings that resonate with contemporary issues.
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Madahib Are Historical And Contingent
- Madahib emerged, contracted and shifted over centuries and are not immutable institutions.
- Historical forces and internal dynamics explain why some schools survived while others disappeared.
Intellectual Rivalry Reshaped Practice
- Reactionary movements like Ahli Hadith changed how madhahib were practiced and defended.
- This imitation dynamic led some jurists to over-emphasise hadith evidence to compete intellectually and politically.
Study Principles Before Applying Rulings
- Learn the principles and contexts behind a school's rulings before applying them.
- Use that knowledge creatively to adapt rulings to modern social and political realities.
