What is the evidence of the scholars for the principle of "istīqrāʼ" (induction) and "tatabbuʻ" (following/tracking)?
Complete induction is a definitive proof by consensus (Ijma'), whereas incomplete induction is a probabilistic proof according to the more preponderant opinion (). This is because the prevalence of probability (ghalabat al-dhann) occurs when the ruling for an unmentioned specific instance is the same as the ruling for the majority or the more general case, which is why jurists call it "al-a'am al-aghlab" (the more general, the more common). Al-Ghazali said, "Whenever the majority is found to follow a certain pattern, it becomes highly probable that the rest will also be similar." This is supported by the principle of acting upon the apparent (al-zahir), as the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "We judge by what is apparent, and Allah takes charge of what is hidden." Consequently, logical deductions based on complete induction yield certainty, while those based on incomplete induction yield probability.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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