The Difference between Fiqhul –Akbar and Fiqhul–Asqar
All Praises belongs to Allah the Most High. Allah is the One who sustains life and causes death. I bear witness that He is alone above His throne in a manner that befits His Majesty. I also attest to the fact the Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His final Messenger sent to mankind and Jinn. To our topic:
This is part of a collection of terminology and vocabulary that the Muslim should know and understand. Included in this series is the difference between Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Al-Muslim, the difference between ‘Ain and Hasad, the difference between Islam andIman and various others. This definition was taken Shaykh Ali Ridha’s (may Allah preserve him) website.http://www.albaidha.net/vb/showthread.php?t=1636
The selections are my own based on what the ulema have mentioned in their books of Fiqh, Hadeeth, Usul and Tafseer. These definitions helped me to understand the language of the scholars better, in particularly religious verdicts. And I hope it will assist my brothers and sister in the same way. Ameen.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Praises are due to Allah and may His peace blessings be upon his messenger, his family, companions and whoever follows them in good.
This is a great benefit which I heard from the scholar, the Muhaddith Hamad Al-Ansari (may Allah have mercy on him). He said there are two types of Fiqh.
- Fiqhul Akabr : is the correct belief derived from the Quran, Sunah , understanding of the companions and way of the Salafus Salih
- Fiqhul Asqar: is the science known to man as Fiqh. Well known books have been written about the Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) of the four schools of thought and others.
In reality every single Muslim must understand the statement of Hamad Al-Ansari. Without Fiqhul – Akbar (‘Aqeedah and Minhajus Salaf) there is no Fiqhul Asqar. Many Muslims become well versed in Fiqhul Asqar and turn away from learning Fiqhul Akabar. Fiqhul Akbar is what saves a person from Shirk, innovation, and deviated paths. Fiqhul Akbar protects a person from sects like Ikwan Al-Muslimeem, As-Surooreeyah, Qutbeeyah, Al-Bananeeyah, Takfeereyah, Soofeeyah and other groups for Shaytan’s paths. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) warned about Shaytan’s paths. We ask Allah to give us an understanding of Fiqhul Akbar and Fiqhul Asqar until we meet Him. (end of quote)
Translator’s note (May Allah forgive him) Additional benefit for this topic
The first person to use the word Fiqhul Akbar intending ‘Aqeedah was Abu Haneefah Nu’man ibn Thabit (may Allah have mercy on him) A book titled Fiqhul Akbar was narrated from him through Abo Mu’tee’ Al-Hakim. This book has five chapters. The five chapters in this book are;
- The Qadr
2 &3. Allah’s will
- A Refutation against those who make takfeer on the Sinner
- Al-Iman
Abu Haneefah (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “Fiqhul Akbar in the religion is superior to Fiqhul –Asqar.”
It has also been reported that Imam Ash-Shaf’I had a book with the same title.
However this isn’t confirmed to his, but rather some of the other senior scholars from his school of thought. And Allah knows best (taken from a lecture at Madinah International University)
Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle
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