Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 22 · Question 2

Write about how the four sources of Islamic law are used in law making. Use the AO1 Levels of Response.

The Qur’an is an authority in Islamic law: it is the word of God. It is not questioned or contradicted by the other sources; it is the basis of legal rulings in Islamic law.

The sunnah is the Prophet's example and is recorded in the Hadith; these emphasise and expand on verses in the Qur'an and explain how the Pillars of Islam are to be carried out, e.g., salat and zakat. They are also used when the Qur’an is silent on a matter, e.g., the inheritance given to a grandmother. The Hadiths also explain, qualify and provide exceptions to the absolute injunctions of the Qur’an.

They are interlinked and are the two main (primary) sources, the Hadith never contradicts the Qur'an. Candidates may give examples of specific Hadiths, for example: those that explain the circumstances under which the hands of a thief can be cut off, or foods that are halal and haram apart from those mentioned in Qur’an.

Ijm’a and qiyas are the secondary sources of Islamic law and became more important after the Prophet's demise and are used mainly for issues that did not arise during his lifetime.

Ijm’a is the shared opinion of scholars. Ijm’a rulings include issues they have had to deal with since the time of the caliphs, such as the compiling of the Qur’an, and more recently, the permissibility of IVF. Those knowledgeable about Islamic law decide on new matters based on what they already know from the Qur’an and Hadith and then agree on a ruling. These rulings are based on existing Qur’anic guidance, so there is no contradiction or disagreement with the Qur’an.

An example would be the ijm’a on the prohibition of marriage to one's grandmother based on a Qur’anic verse.

Qiyas is analogy, the way it is applied is when one Islamic ruling is compared with another to derive a new ruling for a new issue.

Examples of this could be the use of drugs such as cocaine being prohibited on the basis that intoxicants are prohibited. The original case will have a ruling based on the Qur’an, and therefore the ruling on the new case will have its basis in Qur’anic sources.

Why do you think the Prophet (pbuh) allowed the exercise of personal reasoning (qiyas)?

Use the AO2 Levels of Response.

Candidates need to give a response that shows understanding of why the Prophet (pbuh) encouraged the use of personal reasoning among his Companions.

It could be said that he was aware that issues or problems could confront his community where there may not be a clear-cut answer in the primary sources, but he believed that, if the principles laid out in the sources were followed, a correct decision could be reached.

Candidates may mention that use of qiyas tends to be used by people with sound Islamic knowledge, and the Prophet (pbuh) was confident that his Companions possessed this knowledge, so would therefore be able to reach sound decisions in light of Islamic teachings.

Some candidates may give the example of his conversation with Mu’adh ibn Jabal in this part of the answer, and it can be given as development of the answer.