Understanding Usul Al-Fiqh by Abu Tariq Hilal - Abu Ismael al-Beirawi

The linguistic meaning of Qiyas is means estimation, measuring or ascertaining the length, weight, or quality of something, which is why scales are called miqyas. As a juristic term Qiyas the majority of Ulema have defined Qiyas as, „the application to a new case (far'), on which the law is silent, of the ruling (Hukm) of an original case (asl) because of the effective reason ('Illa) which is in common to both.‟11

The following is an example of Qiyas:

“O you who have attained faith! When the call to prayer is sounded on the day of congregation (Friday), hasten to the remembrance of Allah, and leave all worldly commerce: this is for your own good, if you but knew it. And when the prayer is ended, disperse freely on Earth and seek to obtain Allah‟s bounty; but remember Allah often, so that you might attain to a happy state!” (TMQ al-Juma‟: 9-10)

The Ayah mentions that, when the call to prayer is given, one should disengage from all worldly commerce. The Ayah doesn‟t mention to stop such acts as eating, resting, or anything else other than conducting business. The Ayah mentions that when the prayer is over, disperse and seek Allah‟s bounty. This means that there is a reason to leave the commerce, being that if we do not, then we will be preoccupied and will forget the prayer.

The application of Qiyas for this example would be for any other activity besides commerce. This is because the „Illah (missing the Juma‟ prayer) occurs due to these activities as well. Therefore, working, playing, eating etc. are prohibited in the time of Juma‟ because all of these activities prevent Muslims from performing the Juma‟ prayer.