The Qur’an and Hadiths as sources of Islamic law

Last time

Before we start: last time, in Revelation, the scribes and the compilation of the Qur’an, you learned these points. Here they are again on one card. Keep them in mind, because today builds on them.

How do Muslims decide what is right?

When a Muslim faces a question the Qur'an does not answer directly, where do they look? Islamic law has four sources, in a clear order. Two are primary, the Qur'an and the Hadith, and two are secondary, consensus of the scholars and reasoning by analogy. A good answer shows how they work together, one after another.

The four sources

The Qur'an is the first source. It is the word of God, and it contains the main teachings and principles by which Muslims should live. It is not questioned or contradicted by the other sources. The sunna is the Prophet's example, recorded in the Hadith. Together, the Qur'an and Hadith are the two primary sources, and they are interlinked. When neither primary source gives an answer, ijma', the consensus of scholars, and qiyas, reasoning by analogy, can be used. These are for issues that did not arise at the time of the Prophet.

The Qur'an as a source

The Qur'an is an authority in Islamic law because it is the word of God. It is protected by God, so its words and rulings cannot be changed until the end of time. It gives principles, and some detailed rules. It also gives permission to follow the Prophet. Because it never changes, it has helped to unify Muslims over time: they share one text and the same basic law.