FatwaFederal TerritoriesLegal Theory & Methodology
IRSYAD USUL AL-FEQH SIRI KE- 32: HUKUM ATAS SESUATU ADALAH CABANG DARIPADA GAMBARANNYA (الْحُكْمُ عَلَى الشَّيْءِ فَرْعٌ عَنْ تَصَوُّرِهِ)
What is meant by the usul al-fiqh maxim that a ruling on something is a branch of its conception?
Short answer
This maxim means that issuing a ruling on a matter depends on an accurate picture and deep knowledge of it.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad Usul al-Fiqh
- Topic
- Legal Theory & Methodology
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
This maxim means that issuing a ruling on a matter depends on an accurate picture and deep knowledge of it. The conception intended is a sound understanding of the true nature of the matter, not merely a mental image. The fatwa cites Quranic verses and hadith that forbid speaking or judging without knowledge. Muftis and judges must understand both the actual situation (waqi') and the relevant divine ruling, and if the picture is unclear, silence is better.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Seseorang itu hendaklah berfikir dahulu apabila bercakap tentang hukum sesuatu. Jika dia mengetahui dan mendapat gambar yang jelas, barulah dia bercakap.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD USUL AL-FEQH SIRI KE- 32: HUKUM ATAS SESUATU ADALAH CABANG DARIPADA GAMBARANNYA (الْحُكْمُ عَلَى الشَّيْءِ فَرْعٌ عَنْ تَصَوُّرِهِ)”, 26 January 2019. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-usul-fiqh/3052-irsyad-usul-al-feqh-siri-ke-32-hukum-atas-sesuatu-adalah-cabang-daripada-gambarannya. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-something-branch-of-its-conception/