The Role of Fiqh In Our Lives Today

Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Khutbah Jumaat On
23 August 2002M / 14 Jamadil Akhir 1423H



My brothers in Islam!

On this blessed Friday, I invite all of you to together reflect and re-asess the approach to religious teaching in our society today. We will find that there is a lack of balance in some of the religious teachings that is presented to society whether it is in the mosques or in the madrasahs on the realities of living in Singapore.

We are exposed and used to the fast developments in the field of information technology or IT, economics and politics. But despite the fast-paced developments in these fields, part of the Muslim community in Singapore still understands religion only in the form of personal ibadah (religious duties) such as fardhu ain and how to improve our prayer. Even though all these are important, it is not enough to shape the character and thought of a Muslim who is ready to face the challenges of today. Allah in surah Al-Qasas (ayat 77) commanded:

Meaning: “But seek, with that wealth which Allah has blessed you with the Home of the Hereafter and do not forget your portion of the world. And do good (towards others) as Allah has been good to you, and so do not do mischief for Allah loves not those who do mischief.”

The Muslim community should be exposed to religious knowledge that is in line with the developments of the fields mentioned. The religious knowledge of individual Muslims should progress as far as the areas in our lives. Religious knowledge should also guide in the Fiqh Islam (interpretations and practical applications of the Quran and the Sunnah). That is, Fiqh that is compatible with the lives of humans today. If not, we are likely to find the following in our society today:

1. Not being able to understand and practise the true teachings of Islam that calls for religious development and progress in every aspect of life.

2. Not being able to understand the importance of balancing various demands.

3. Not being able to understand the realities of modern living and adapt Islamic laws to it.

Eventually, what happens is each time a ruling or ijtihad, or new fatwa is introduced by the ulama of today, society is puzzled, as if it is too different to be acceptable. But the ruling is based on agreed principles of Islamic law. Sometimes it may not even be a new view but an old ijtihad or religious position that is reintroduced. But it is one that has never been heard or learnt by them.


My brothers in Islam,

Moving from the reality mentioned, Muslims in Singapore need to be exposed to understanding Fiqh with a new face. Fiqh that not only stresses on the end product of Islamic laws such as fardu ‘ain, taharah, najis, ibadah, marriage, divorce and the like. But Fiqh that also tells us how a law is processed or made to give individual Muslims the skills to think and assess laws themselves.

This is the Fiqh encouraged by the Al-Quran and As-Sunnah. Fiqh which means understanding and awareness. Fiqh that can provide the Muslim community with an understanding of how Islam’s heritage of traditional fiqh knowledge is compatible with realities of life. Fiqh that invites man to develop his mind and character. Fiqh that is capable of driving the Muslim community towards a better world and herefter.

My fellow Muslimin!

This is the kind of Fiqh that is called for by a few contemporary ulama such as Prof Dr Yusuf al-Qardhawi, Dr Taha Jabir al-Ulwani, Sheikh Faisal Mawlawi and others like them. This is Fiqh that includes all the following: Understanding Fiqh As-Sunan. Understanding Fiqh Al-Waqi’. Understanding Fiqh Al-Maqasid. Understanding Fiqh Al-Muwazanat. Understanding Fiqh Al-Ikhtilaf.

What do we mean by Fiqh As-Sunan? It is understanding the laws and regulations (Al-kaun) created by Allah for our universe that is eternal and will not change from time from time. It means understanding the reality and result of something that happens. This is based on what Allah says:

“You will not find for Allah’s way of treatment any substitute, nor will you find for Allah’s way of treatment any power to change.” (Surah Fathir ayat 43)

What is Fiqh Al-Waqi’? It is understanding the realities of living of mankind today before creating a law to resolve a problem or issue faced by man. This means that an individual Muslim, especially a Mujtahid, before creating on a law, must assess earlier a society’s daily realities; that is their way of life, strengths and weaknesses; internal and external factors that may become obstacles for them to achieve their worldly and akhirat goals.

It is this aspect of Fiqh that sometimes causes differences in religious rulings from place to place. This contributes to the dynamic character of Fiqh, that allows the laws of Fiqh to be adapted throughout time for each and every situation.

My brothers,

What is Fiqh Al-Maqasid? It is an understanding of “Maqasid As-Syariah” or the objectives of Islamic law. The objectives that are captured and recorded in between the pages of the Al-Quran and Sunnah. It does not depend purely on a surface understanding of these texts.

What is Fiqh Al-Muazanaat? It is understanding how to balance two situations. This is through understanding three factors which are:

1. Comparing the different kinds of interests (maslahah) recognized by Islam and to decide which should be given priority.

2. Comparing the two kinds of evil forbidden by religion in deciding which is a greater danger.

3. Comparing what is good and bad when two things are opposed to one another.

Finally, what is Fiqh Al-Ikhtilaf? It is an understanding of the differences in thoughts and its guidelines. The Muslim community should know that Islamic Fiqh gives room to differences in opinion as long as the differences are in branches (furu’), and not the basic principles (usul). The differences should not cause debates or fighting that will cause the break-up of the Muslim community.

My brothers-in-Islam!

From a new understanding of the Fiqh, I am confident that this new approach will prevent Fiqh Islam from being a clash between our heritage texts and current realities. Islamic law that protects and benefits a society must be given priority in determining a ruling for a Muslim society.

May we obtain the understanding of the Fiqh called upon by the Al-Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).