الفقه Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

الفقه (Islamic Jurisprudence)

Raodotul Irshad wal Is’ad Arabic and Islamic Studies School, Nigeria

At Raodotul Irshad wal Is’ad, our Fiqh program harmonizes the rigor of classical Islamic jurisprudence with the socio-cultural realities of modern Nigeria, cultivating scholars who navigate divine law (Sharia) through textual precision, contextual adaptability, and ethical innovation. Rooted in the Maliki tradition—a cornerstone of West African Islamic heritage—our curriculum empowers students to address contemporary challenges while preserving the integrity of Quranic principles and Prophetic traditions.

Core Curriculum

1. Foundations of Islamic Law

   • Primary Sources: Mastery of Quranic legislation (e.g., inheritance laws in [Surah An-Nisa 4:11–12]) and Hadith authentication (ʿilm al-rijāl), with emphasis on rulings relevant to Nigerian communities, such as family ethics and economic equity .
   • Analogical Reasoning (Qiyās): Apply classical tools to modern dilemmas like digital contracts and cryptocurrency, guided by the Malikī principle of maṣlaḥah (public welfare) .

2. Schools of Thought & Comparative Jurisprudence

   • Maliki Tradition: In-depth study of Mukhtaṣar Khalīl and Nigerian scholarly works, including Sokoto Caliphate treatises on governance and social justice .
   • Inter-Madhhab Dialogue: Contrast Hanafi flexibility in commercial law with Shafi’i ritual strictness, addressing Nigeria’s diverse Muslim populations .

3. Dynamic Application (Ijtihād)

   • Contemporary Family Law: Reconcile Islamic marriage norms (e.g., mahr customs) with Nigerian civil statutes, focusing on women’s rights in polygamy and divorce .
   • Bioethical Frameworks: Develop rulings on IVF, organ donation, and end-of-life care using istihsān (juristic preference) and Nigerian medical ethics .
   • Environmental Jurisprudence: Derive conservation mandates from Quranic stewardship principles (e.g., [Surah Al-A‘raf 7:56]) to combat oil pollution in the Niger Delta .

4. Economic Systems & Justice

   • Islamic Finance: Design ribā-free microfinance models for Nigerian SMEs, integrating muḍārabah partnerships and mobile banking solutions .
   • Anti-Corruption Strategies: Apply Quranic injunctions (e.g., [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:188]) to reform public governance and business practices .

Teaching Methodology

• Case-Based Simulations:

  • Hybrid Legal Systems: Role-play court cases where Sharia intersects with Nigerian common law, such as child custody disputes in Kaduna .
  • Digital Fatwa Platforms: Use AI tools to analyze scenarios like blockchain contracts, blending classical uṣūl with computational logic .

• Community Immersion:

  • Sharia Court Internships: Document and critique rulings from Kano and Borno courts, assessing adherence to Malikī procedural standards .
  • Conflict Mediation: Resolve farmer-herder clashes using ṣulḥ (amicable settlement) frameworks from [Surah Al-Hujurat 49:9–10] .

Unique Features

• Cultural Synthesis:

  • Indigenous Custom Integration: Map Islamic legal principles onto Hausa/Yoruba traditions (e.g., diya compensation in ethnic disputes) .
  • Women’s Ijtihād Circles: Train female scholars to address gender-based issues (e.g., domestic violence) through Malikī ʿurf-based solutions .

• Innovation Labs:

  • Post-Colonial Legal Critique: Deconstruct British colonial influences on Northern Nigeria’s Sharia codes to revive classical Malikī autonomy .
  • Disability-Inclusive Fiqh: Reinterpret rukhaṣ (dispensations) for Muslims with disabilities, ensuring accessibility in worship and civic life .

Learning Outcomes

• Jurisprudential Expertise: Issue evidence-based rulings (fatāwā) aligned with both classical texts and Nigerian socio-legal realities.
• Ethical Advocacy: Lead reforms in governance, healthcare, and environmental policy through Quranic ethical frameworks.
• Interdisciplinary Fluency: Synthesize Fiqh with economics, technology, and human rights law to address 21st-century challenges.

Admission & Certification

• Eligibility: Advanced Arabic proficiency; completion of Quranic Sciences and Hadith prerequisites.
• Assessment: Mock court trials, research theses on Nigerian Fiqh issues, and community impact portfolios.
• Certification: Accredited by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, qualifying graduates as judges (qāḍī), legal consultants, or policy advisors.

Vision: To nurture jurists who anchor Nigeria’s moral and legal renaissance in the wisdom of Fiqh—rigorous in scholarship, compassionate in application, and visionary in reform.

Join Us: Equip yourself to navigate the complexities of faith and modernity, becoming a beacon of justice in a rapidly evolving world.

Curriculum developed in partnership with the International Islamic Fiqh Academy and Nigerian Sharia Research Institutes.