The Maqāṣid of Uṣūl al-Fiqh: An Analytical and Critical Study of Aḥmad al-Raysūnī’s Attempt

Authors : Vasfi Ebuzeyd

Pages : 463-485

Doi:10.34247/artukluakademi.1771529

View : 138 | Download : 140

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The science of uṣūl al-fiqh (principles of Islamic jurisprudence) occupies a unique position in the intellectual heritage of Islam, serving as the methodological foundation for deriving legal rulings and structuring Sharīʿa reasoning. While its detailed discussions have enriched Islamic scholarship across centuries, its inherent maqāṣid (objectives) have rarely been examined as a distinct subject. They were often mentioned briefly in the prefaces of classical works, but never developed into an independent framework. In modern times, however, new attempts have been made to articulate these objectives, the most prominent being the work of Aḥmad al-Raysūnī, particularly in his book ʿIlm Uṣūl al-Fiqh fī Ḍawʾ Maqāṣidih (The Science of Uṣūl al-Fiqh in Light of Its Objectives). This article undertakes an analytical and critical study of al-Raysūnī’s attempt. Using inductive and analytical-critical methods, it surveys the classical heritage, highlights scattered references to the objectives of uṣūl al-fiqh, and evaluates the contribution of al-Raysūnī’s formulation. The study emphasizes both the originality and the limitations of his approach, showing how his effort opens the way for a broader and more systematic investigation of maqāṣid al-uṣūl. The findings indicate that treating the objectives of uṣūl al-fiqh as an independent subject can significantly enhance the discipline’s relevance. It enables the science not only to regulate the derivation of legal rulings but also to contribute to the renewal of Islamic thought, the integration of methodological coherence, and the advancement of Sharīʿa’s intellectual and civilizational mission. This research thus calls for further elaboration of maqāṣid al-uṣūl as a central axis for rethinking, evaluating, and reformulating the discipline in contemporary contexts.
Keywords : Usûl-i Fıkıh, Makāsıd, İctihad, Metodoloji, Tecdit, Ahmed er-Raysûnî

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