Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) is one of the fundamental disciplines that systematizes the rulings of Islam in the areas of worship, transactions, and penal law in light of the Qur'an and Sunnah. In addition to acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and zakat, topics like trade, inheritance, marriage, and criminal law also fall within the scope of fiqh. This science, which directly shapes the daily lives of Muslims, provides great benefit at both individual and societal levels when learned correctly. In DİDAR Academy's curriculum, fiqh texts are systematically covered, starting with al-Sarakhsi's al-Mabsut and continuing through Ibn Abidin's Radd al-Muhtar.
When beginning the study of fiqh, it is first necessary to acquire knowledge of usul al-fiqh (principles of Islamic jurisprudence). Usul al-fiqh examines how jurisprudential rulings are derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah, and how evidences such as consensus (ijma) and analogical reasoning (qiyas) are used. Al-Pazdawi's Usul al-Pazdawi and al-Sarakhsi's Usul al-Sarakhsi are fundamental sources for usul al-fiqh education in the DİDAR curriculum. Reading fiqh texts without knowledge of usul can lead to memorization of rulings without understanding their justifications, which prevents the student from finding solutions to new issues.
Classical fiqh texts were written within the framework of different methodologies and schools of thought. Among the fundamental texts of the Hanafi school are al-Sarakhsi's al-Mabsut, al-Kasani's Badai al-Sanai, al-Marghinani's al-Hidaya, and Ibn Abidin's Radd al-Muhtar. In the DİDAR curriculum, students read these sources sequentially; each year, they explore different dimensions of fiqh through a different text. In the fourth year, comparative fiqh study across schools of thought is also included in the curriculum with Mahmud Shaltut's Muqaranat al-Madhahib.
The discipline of textual study in fiqh lessons consists of the following stages: first, the text is silently reviewed, then it is read and discussed under the guidance of the instructor, and finally, the student records the evidence for the ruling, its justification, and different opinions in their notes. This process transforms the student into a scholar who not only memorizes rulings but also grasps the logic behind them. Especially in the face of contemporary fiqh issues, knowledge of usul and experience in textual study help the student make sound judgments.
Today, various summary and translated works related to fiqh are available. These can be useful for acquiring practical knowledge; however, true depth is gained through direct reading of classical texts. Furthermore, the vast majority of fatwas and opinions circulating online lack a foundation in usul and classical texts. DİDAR Academy's emphasis on classical texts in fiqh education ensures that students acquire a reliable body of fiqh knowledge based on authentic sources.
The comparative method in fiqh texts is also imparted to the student. Seeing how different scholars address the same issue prevents the student from being confined to a single opinion and enhances their scholarly maturity. This method is particularly beneficial when reading voluminous works such as Badai al-Sanai and al-Hidaya.
The courses on Contemporary Fiqh Issues and Fatwa Methodology, studied in the final year of the DİDAR curriculum, connect classical fiqh knowledge with contemporary issues. The student learns not only past rulings but also how to approach new emerging issues. Taqi Usmani's Usul al-Ifta wa Adabuhu teaches the discipline of issuing fatwas while also instilling a sense of responsibility in the student. This stage represents the culmination of the four-year fiqh education.
To succeed in fiqh, proficiency in Arabic, knowledge of usul, and regular textual study are essential. In DİDAR's four-year curriculum, fiqh and usul al-fiqh courses run in parallel; students learn both the rulings and the methods of deriving them simultaneously. The discipline of review and discussion plays a central role in fiqh lessons. Students discuss difficult issues with their study group, grasping them from different perspectives.
In conclusion, fiqh is the foundation of the practical dimension of Islam. Knowledge of usul, classical texts, and disciplined reading—when these three elements come together, the student can both perform their acts of worship correctly and produce sound solutions to the issues in their daily lives. DİDAR Academy offers this holistic approach to young people through its four-year curriculum.