Relationship of the Quran with Sunnah, Ijma and Qiyas

Q         Write about how the Quran is used with the other three sources in Islamic law.                                                                                    [10-Nov14-2058/11]

The holy Quran is believed by all Muslims as the basis of thinking how they should govern their lives. The Quran says:

“Those who do not judge by the law which Allah has sent down,

are indeed the disbelievers” (Al Maida 44).

When Quran declares something unlawful, no authority can challenge it, therefore no other source of law can go against Quran. For example since the Quran prohibits gambling, any form of gambling is unlawful. All other three sources will agree with this principle and there is no conflict between them.

The Sunnah is the second primary source of Islamic law. It is next to Quran in authority. It is important because Allah Himself gave authority to the Prophet Mohammad (saw) to make laws. The Quran says:

“So take what the messenger gives you, and refrain from what

  he prohibits you.” (Al Hashr 59:7).

It is also important because without Sunnah we can never understand Quran. For example, the Quran does not tell us how to perform Salat. The method is given by the Prophet (saw). The Quran and the Sunnah never contradict each other. Sunnah is only an extension and explanation of the Quran. Sunnah is an authority where the Qran is silent. The Quran says:

“---He makes pure things lawful for them and impure things unlawful”

(Al Aaraaf 157)

Therefore without Sunnah, there is no possibility of understanding and following the holy Quran.

Ijma or the consensus of the Muslim community is an agreement of the Muslim community on a point of Faith or action. It is used when the Quran and the Sunnah are silent. It is authorized by the Quran and the Sunnah:

“My nation will not agree unanimously on error”          (Hadith)

Ijma of the companions of the Prophet (saw) is obligatory for the Muslims to follow. The examples of such Ijam are Travih prayers, two Azaans on Friday prayers and agreement of Muslims on the Quran compiled by Abu Bakr (ra).  Ijma of the renowned scholars of Islam like Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Hanbal and Imam Shafai is also important to follow because these Imams set down rules of Islamic law. It is also important that Ijma never disagrees with the Quran and Sunnah. Ijma is based on the principles set down by Quran and Sunnah. For example, the Prophet (sw) asked thecompanions to bring the Quran in writing and the entire quran was in writing at the time of the Prophet (sw). Abu Bakr (ra) brought this scattered Quran in the book form. The famous Hadith of the Prophet (sw) is also a proof of ijma when the Prophet (sw) permitted Muaz bin Jabal to use his discretion when a direct solution is not found in Quran and Sunnah. 

Qiyas or Analogy is the decision of an expert of Islamic law on the basis of comparison with the known law given by the Quran and Sunnah and a problem which did not exist during the time of the Prophet (sw). It means that the roots of every Qiyas are definitely there in the Quran and the Sunnah.

It is permitted by the Quran and Sunnah because Quran asks Muslims to use common sense in many places. The legal expert compares the logic of an existing problem for which no direct solution is given in the Quran Sunnah and Ijma. He forms his opinion and comes to his conclusion using common points between the two problems.

For example, Quran and Sunnah do not talk about using narcotics and antoxicating drugs but they declare drinking wine unlawful. Since wine creates loss of senses, and narcotics also create the same effect, taking narcotics is also unlawful or Haraam.

The famous Hadith of the Prophet (sw) is also a proof of Qiyas when the Prophet (sw) permitted Muaz bin Jabal to use his discretion when a direct solution is not found in Quran and Sunnah.