The Categories Of Shar’u Min Qablinaa
The legislative Ahkaam (rulings) found in those Sharee’ahs (Sharaa’i) that came previously to our Sharee’ah are of four types:
1 – That which is found (or mentioned) within our Sharee’ah and was made Fard or Sunnah upon us just as it had been made Fard or Sunnah upon the previous nations. When we take Ahkaam like this we only do so because they have been mentioned within our Sharee’ah and not because they were found within the Sharee’ah of those who preceded us.
So for example As-Siyaam (fasting) has been written (made obligatory) upon us just as it had been for those who came before us. Allah (swt) said:
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (Al-Baqarah 183).
The ‘Udhiyah (sacrificial slaughter) has been made Sunnah for us just as it was for Ibraheem (as) in the case where Ahmad and Ibn Maajah related that he (saw) was asked: “What are these Adaahiy (sacrificial slaughters)? He (saw) replied: “A Sunnah of your father Ibraheem”.
2 – The second type is that which its mention is found within our Sharee’ah upon an angle indicating its prohibition upon those who came before us and its permissibility (Ibaahah) for us. This is like the prohibition of Dhu Zhufr (undivided hoof) and the Tahreem (prohibition) of the fats of the cows and sheep upon the Jews. Allah (swt) said:
Say, "I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal or blood spilled out or the flesh of swine - for indeed, it is impure - or it be [that slaughtered in] disobedience, dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful." And to those who are Jews We prohibited every animal of uncloven hoof; and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat, except what adheres to their backs or the entrails or what is joined with bone. [By] that We repaid them for their injustice. And indeed, We are truthful (Al-An’aam 145- 146).
In regards to the Ahkaam like this, there is no difference or disagreement amongst the ‘Ulamaa in respect to us looking to what our Sharee’ah has guided us to, so that we make Halal that which it has made Halaal and we make Haraam that which it has made Haraam.
3 – The third category relates to that which our Sharee’ah has been silent upon whilst it has been mentioned in their books. This is that which has not been mentioned by any indication within the Qur’aan Al-Kareem and the Sunnah An-Nabawiyah. This category is disregarded by us and it is not possible to take it or go to it for judgement by the agreement of the ‘Ulamaa. That is because we have been commanded to only follow that which Allah (swt) revealed upon Muhammad (saw). Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And whatever the Messenger has given you take it and whatever he has forbidden you from abstain from it (Al-Hashr 7).
4 – That which its mention has been found in our Sharee’ah without denial or affirmation (support) and that is like the Qawl of Allah Ta’Aalaa:
And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution (Qisaas) (Al-Maa’idah 45).
There are points of difference amongst the ‘Ulamaa in relation to this category of Ahkaam, numbering less than the number of fingers on a hand, in respect to its Hujjiyah and whether it should be taken or left?