Fiqh (Jurisprudence)

That which is permissible and lawful in Islam — actions, foods, and dealings allowed by the Quran and Sunnah. The default ruling for most things.

That which is strictly forbidden in Islam. Committing it is sinful and punishable; avoiding it is rewarded. Examples include intoxicants, pork, theft, and interest.

The Islamic marriage contract — a sacred covenant between a man and woman, requiring offer and acceptance, witnesses, a dowry (mahr), and the bride's consent.

Usury or interest — any unjustified increase in lending or exchange of certain goods. It is strictly forbidden in Islam and counted among the gravest of major sins.

Divorce initiated by the husband — the dissolution of marriage. Though permitted, it is described as the most disliked of lawful acts to Allah. A surah bears its name.

The obligatory annual almsgiving — the third pillar of Islam. A fixed share (usually 2.5%) of accumulated wealth given to eight categories of eligible recipients.

A formal legal opinion issued by a qualified scholar (mufti) in response to a question. It clarifies the Islamic ruling but is not legally binding like a court verdict.

The waiting period a woman observes after divorce or her husband's death before she may remarry, to confirm absence of pregnancy and allow for reconciliation.

Scholarly consensus — the agreement of qualified Muslim scholars of a given era on a religious ruling. The third source of Islamic law after Quran and Sunnah.

Independent legal reasoning — the diligent effort of a qualified scholar (mujtahid) to derive rulings on matters not explicitly addressed in the primary texts.

A school of Islamic jurisprudence — a systematic body of legal opinions derived by a leading scholar. The four major Sunni schools are Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali.

The obligatory bridal gift — a sum or property given by the groom to the bride as her exclusive right upon marriage. It is a pillar of the marriage contract.

A close relative whom one is permanently forbidden to marry (e.g. parents, siblings, children, grandparents). A mahram may accompany a woman on travel.

That which is disliked but not strictly forbidden. Avoiding it is rewarded, but doing it is not punishable; it lies between halal and haram.

Islamic inheritance law — the precise, divinely-fixed shares of an estate distributed among heirs. Called "Faraid", it is a detailed science derived from the Quran.

A recommended act (also called Mandub or Sunnah). Doing it earns reward, but neglecting it carries no sin; encouraged but not obligatory.

Analogical reasoning — extending a known ruling from the Quran or Sunnah to a new case sharing the same effective cause. The fourth source of Islamic law.

Voluntary charity — any act of giving for the sake of Allah, beyond the obligatory Zakat. It includes money, kindness, and even a smile, and purifies wealth and soul.

The ritual animal sacrifice offered during Eid al-Adha, commemorating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. The meat is shared among family, friends, and the poor.

An obligatory act. In the Hanafi school it is a category slightly below Fard (based on probable rather than definitive evidence); in others, it is synonymous with Fard.

The recommended sacrifice offered in gratitude on the birth of a child — typically on the seventh day, when the baby is also named and its hair shaved.

Excessive uncertainty or ambiguity in a contract — such as selling goods not yet owned or with unknown attributes. Forbidden as it leads to disputes and injustice.

Menstruation — during which a woman is exempt from prayer and fasting (making up missed fasts later) and refrains from certain acts until purity is restored by Ghusl.

The state of major ritual impurity arising from sexual activity or wet dreams. It must be lifted by Ghusl (full bath) before prayer, Quran recitation, or entering the mosque.

An expiation — a prescribed act (such as feeding the poor, freeing a slave, or fasting) that atones for breaking an oath, an intentional fast, or certain other violations.

Divorce initiated by the wife — she returns the dowry or agrees on compensation in exchange for the husband releasing her from the marriage.

A neutral or permitted act for which there is neither reward nor sin. Most everyday actions (eating, sleeping, walking) are mubah by default.

A vow — a binding pledge to Allah to perform a specific act of worship (such as fasting or charity) if a wish is fulfilled. Once made, fulfilling it becomes obligatory.

The principles of Islamic jurisprudence — the science of how rulings are derived from the Quran, Sunnah, consensus, and analogy. The methodology behind fiqh.

An Islamic endowment — dedicating a property permanently for charitable purposes, with its ownership held "in trust" while its benefits flow to the needy or community.