-
Prophetic Period (610-632)
The Qur’an was revealed over approximately 23 years
Transcribed by his companions
All of the Hadith and Sunnah occurred
The foundations of Shari’a (Islamic law) and Fiqh (Jurisprudence)
No need for Ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) as the Prophet was the guide of the Ummah
Much more emphasis on “morality” than “law” -
The Rashidun (632-661)
The Qur’an is finalised as a written text under Uthman (644-656)
Hadith and Sunnah still oral traditions
Qur’an, Hadith and Sunnah understood not just as “words” but as having a “purpose”
Beginnings of Shariah, Fiqh and Ijtihad (the personal reasoning and interpretations of the Rashidun are authoritative). -
The Qur'an is finalised as s written text under Uthman (644-656)
-
The Umayyad (661-750)
Early developments of Shariah, Fiqh.
Two main schools emerge:
Ahl Al-Hadith (Traditionalists)
Mecca and Medina
Textual authority not personal opinion (Hadith)
Ahl Al-Ray (Rationalists)
Kufa and Basra
Informed opinion in the absence of clear text (Ijtihad) -
Medina
Traditionalist - based on Qur’an and Hadith, little Ijtihad
Today in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, nth Egypt, Sudan, Bahrain and Kuwait -
The Abbasid (750-950 (1258))
Hadith and Sunnah are collated during the 8th and 9th centuries.
Fiqh and Ijtihad became a structured discipline and body of knowledge in 8th and 9th centuries.
A number of different schools of Islamic legal thought emerge under State support
Many complex debates and discussions
Lots of students
Four Main Schools... -
Medina, Iraq, Egypt.
Reconcile Rationalist and Traditionalist
Developed methodology of Islamic law
Today in Egypt, Arabia, Est Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palestine, Jordan, Syria -
Iraq.
Rationalist - based on Qur’an and Hadith as well as Ijtihad
Today in Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan and Lebanon. -
Iraq
Traditionalist, emphasised Qur’an and Hadith, little Ijtihad
Prominent today in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen
