Methodology & Sources

The Jurisprudential Basis for Understanding Haram in Islam

This Methodology section details the strict legal and scholarly framework used by Deentik to establish Authoritativeness when guiding the Modern American Muslim on prohibitions.

Our Manhaj (Legal Methodology)

Our methodology is rooted in Usul al-Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence), emphasizing the highest standards of evidence required for ruling on Haram:

• Legal Classification Focus: We utilize the specific principles within Usul al-Fiqh that define the legal classifications (al-Ahkam al-Taklifiyyah) to accurately place an action into the category of Haram, Makruh (discouraged), or Mustahabb (recommended).
• Targeted Fiqh: Our primary focus is on the sections of classical Fiqh dedicated explicitly to prohibitions and legal limitations, ensuring we do not confuse general discouragement with definitive prohibition.
• Addressing Modern Issues: We apply this strict classical methodology to contemporary issues unique to the American Muslim experience, ensuring that clarity on Haram remains relevant and practical.

Core Legal and Usul al-Fiqh Sources

We consult foundational texts that specialize in the derivation and classification of legal rulings, which are essential for defining Haram in Islam:

Usul al-Fiqh Texts Al-Risala (Imam Shafi'i), Al-Waraqat (Al-Juwayni) Focus on Haram: Principles used to determine the legal weight of evidence.

Comparative Fiqh Bidayat al-Mujtahid (Ibn Rushd) Focus on Haram: Comparing the views of the schools on specific prohibitions.

Primary Fiqh Texts Books dedicated to legal boundaries (Hudud) and forbidden transactions. Focus on Haram: Defining specific actions that are Haram.

Authoritative Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim Focus on Haram: Explicit Prophetic commands and prohibitions.