MCQ Detailed View

In Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), Qayas refers to reasoning by analogy. It is a recognized source of Islamic law used by qualified scholars (Mujtahideen) when a direct ruling is not explicitly found in the Qur’an or Sunnah. Qayas involves comparing a new case or issue to a similar case that has a clear ruling in Islamic law, based on shared underlying principles (Illah).

For example, the prohibition of wine is explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an due to its intoxicating effects. Using Qayas, Islamic jurists extend this ruling to other intoxicating substances because they share the same effective cause (Illah), which is intoxication. Thus, the analogy helps provide a legal solution in matters not directly addressed in the primary sources of Shariah.

Qayas plays a vital role in the development of Islamic jurisprudence, allowing the law to respond to new issues while remaining firmly grounded in divine principles. It is used only by scholars who have deep knowledge of the Qur’an, Hadith, Ijma (consensus), and the Arabic language to ensure that the analogy aligns with Shariah objectives.

Key Facts:

• 
  

  Qayas means reasoning by analogy in Islamic law.

  
  


• 
  

  It is one of the four main sources of Islamic jurisprudence, alongside Qur’an, Sunnah, and Ijma.

  
  


• 
  

  It applies known rulings to new cases with similar reasons (Illah).

  
  


• 
  

  Example: prohibition of other intoxicants by analogy to wine.

  
  


• 
  

  Qayas ensures flexibility and adaptability of Shariah to new situations.

  
  


• 
  

  Only qualified scholars (Mujtahideen) are authorized to apply Qayas.