Fiqh al-Ikhtilāf and Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah: Ibn ʿĀshūr’s Contribution to Contemporary Islamic Thought
Keywords:
Fiqh al-Ikhtilāf, Ibn ʿĀshūr, At-Tahrir wa At-Tanwir, Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah, Islamic ModerationAbstract
Studies on Fiqh al-Ikhtilāf (the jurisprudence of juristic disagreement) remain relatively scarce within the field of Qur’anic exegesis, even though issues of disagreement (ikhtilāf) often serve as a source of division within Muslim communities. This article seeks to analyze the concept of Fiqh al-Ikhtilāf from the exegetical perspective of Ibn ʿĀshūr through his seminal work At-Tahrir wa At-Tanwir. Employing a qualitative approach with a library-based method, this research draws upon At-Tahrir wa At-Tanwir and Ibn ʿĀshūr’s writings on Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah as primary sources, supplemented by relevant secondary literature, including books and scholarly articles. The data were examined using content analysis and thematic exegesis (tafsīr mawḍūʿī) of verses pertaining to disagreement. The findings reveal that Ibn ʿĀshūr views ikhtilāf as an unavoidable reality—an inherent aspect of divine will (sunnat Allāh) in human creation. Nonetheless, he argues that disagreements must be managed constructively through principles of unity, tolerance, and the pursuit of common ground rooted in Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah. Ibn ʿĀshūr emphasizes the importance of sound evidence, moderation, and respect for legitimate ijtihād-based differences while firmly rejecting sectarian fanaticism or conflict. Thus, his conceptualization of Fiqh al-Ikhtilāf is not only relevant to exegetical studies but also offers practical contributions to nurturing communal harmony, preventing polarization, and fostering a moderate and solution-oriented Islamic discourse. This study concludes that Ibn ʿĀshūr’s maqāṣid-based approach provides a normative and ethical foundation for addressing disagreements in both academic scholarship and socio-religious practice.
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