What is the difference between Sharia and Fiqh, and is Sharia from God while Fiqh is the result of scholars' ijtihad (independent reasoning)?
In Arabic, linguistically means: the straight path and the source of water. Terminologically, it refers to: what Allah has legislated for His servants in terms of religion and various rulings. It encompasses beliefs, acts of worship, transactions, politics, customs, and other areas of life.
As for Fiqh, it is: the knowledge of practical Sharia rulings derived from their detailed evidence. It is a part of Sharia and more specific than it. The role of a jurist (faqih) is to extract these rulings from their evidence.
Distinguishing between them in this way is correct. However, to say that Sharia is the servant's relationship with Allah, and Fiqh is the jurists' derivation without being bound by the texts of Sharia, this is a claim made by secularists that aims to remove religion from areas of life, and it is disbelief that expels one from the faith.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 37541
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy