The Indication of the Sources

The primary sources can be looked at from two perspectives

1. The establishment of the text (nas) itself - referred to in Arabic as thubut (discussed in previous post)
2. The indication of the text (nas) - referred to as dalalah in Arabic

The following adapted notes (courtesy of Da'wah Academy) elucidate the second point well:


The Indications of the text of the Sources of Legislation

Classification of the Quran & Hadith in terms of their indication/denotation:

• Qat'i al-dalalah: ~80% of Quran & all Ahadith i.e. the texts that are unambiguous/ unequivocal/express/explicit in the manner they relay their meanings. No ijtihad is required in detrmining their meanings.
• Dhanni al-dalalah:~20% of Quran & All Ahadith i.e. those texts that are ambiguous/ equivocal in the way they relay their meanings. Ijtihad is required in determining their meaning and differences in opinion may occur.

Note: Qat'i means definitive and dhanni means speculative/probabalistic.

The Four types of Texts

We may conclude that there are 4 types of texts (in relation to the establishment and indictaion):

1. Qat'i al-thuboot, Qat'i al-alalah: ~80% of Quran & Mutawatir Ahadith
2. Qat'i al-thuboot, Dhanny al-dalalah: ~20% of Quran & Mutawatir Ahadith
3. Dhanny al-thuboot, Qat'i al-dalalah: ~80% of Mashur & Khabar wahid Ahadith
4. Dhanny ut thuboot, Dhani al-dalalah: ~20% of Mashur & Khabar Wahid Ahadith

1 - Qat'i al-thuboot, Qati al-dalalah

Issues related to Aqeedah without which a person cannot be a believer must be
proven through this type of text e.g. belief in Allah, Angels, books, Prophets,
Pre-destiny, Afterlife etc.

Acts that are proven through the this type of text are classified as
fardh (obligatory),unless proven otherwise. Its denier will not be a
believer.

Examples of this type:salah, zakah, hajj, sawm.

Prohibitions that are proven through this type of text are classified as
Haram (prohibited) and major sins, unless proven otherwise. Its denier
will not remain a believer.

Examples: robbery, lying, backbiting, adultery, drinking wine etc.

2 - Qat'i al-thuboot, Dhanni al-dalalah

Issues related to Aqidah proven through this type will not render its denier
a non-muslim, but will be termed as deviant.

Acts proven through this type are usually categorized as wajib, unless proven
otherwise. Its denier will not become a non-Muslim, but will be termed as
deviant.

Prohibitions proven through this type usually are categorized as Makruh
Tahriman unless proven otherwise. Its denier will not become a non-Muslim, but
will be termed as deviant.

3 - Dhanni al-thuboot, Qat'i al-dalalah

Issues related to Aqidah (beliefs) proven through this type will not render
its denier a non-muslim.

Acts proven through this type are usually termed as Sunna Mua’akkadah if
consistently done by the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace). If accompanied by a warning against not doing it, then wajib. If it was not done consistently or
was not emphasized, then such as act is classified sunnah ghair muakkadah.

Prohibitions proven through this type if accompanied by warnings, then makruh
tahriman, otherwise makruh tanzihi.

4 - Dhanni al-thuboot, Dhanni al-dalalah

Acts proven through this type are usually subject to vast differences of opinions, therefore their rulings are lighter and more flexible.

Prohibitions proven through this type are usually makruh tanzihi.