The development of Islamic jurisprudence and classical jurisprudence

Abstract

Islam is a religion of Allah the Almighty who sent His messengers to preach his religion with scriptures and that religion is Islam. The book of Allah contains a message and commandment to mankind directing the mankind to restrain from certain act that are abominable and as such punishment will be the consequence of those who violate the rules of Allah. At the same juncture, the commandment wishes some promises to those who obey the rules of Allah of some rewards to paradise as the place of their abode. However, Islam as a religion cover every aspect of life of the believers and the rules and commandment always go with time and situation of the whole world. On these reasons, Islam allows certain things that are not clearly mention and do not contradict the rule of Allah to be practiced, e.g. customs. The prophets of Allah decide to the people sent to them on what to do and undo. After their demise their companions preside over matters by making reference to the book send to them through the prophet. As the generation goes the companions took over and preside and those who follow them. This extension brings about many changes as the religion goes with time and the understanding of the scholars also differs which lay the foundation of Islamic jurisprudence. New things emerge where no authority to relied on and need to be position by way of religion and the Qur’an or Sunnah does not clearly make a pronouncement. This create a gap where scholars gave their contribution and opinion by making reference to Qur’an and Sunnah in deciding some matters and because of this different views of the scholars bring in different understanding and different laws. But the Qur’an and Sunnah remain the source relied by any scholar in his saying or writing.