Al Wajiz: Journal of Sharia and Economics Studies
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2026): Al Wajiz: Journal of Sharia and Economics Studies

Distinguishing Dalālah, 'Illat, and Manāṭ al-Ḥukm in Uṣūl al-Fiqh and Their Relevance to Contemporary Ijtihād with Special Reference to Islamic Economics

Tarig Mansour (Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, University of Gezira, Sudan)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Apr 2026

Abstract

Within the discipline of uṣūl al-fiqh, three fundamental concepts—dalālah, 'illat, and manāṭ al-ḥukm—are frequently misunderstood or conflated by students and even practitioners of Islamic law. This conceptual ambiguity poses a serious methodological challenge to accurate legal reasoning.  This study aims to analyze the epistemological differences between dalālah, 'illat, and manāṭ al-ḥukm, and to implement this analytical framework within contemporary ijtihād, with a particular focus on issues in Islamic economics and muamalah. This research employs a qualitative-descriptive approach using library research. Primary sources include classical and contemporary uṣūl al-fiqh literature, including works by Al-Ghazali, Al-Amidi, Al-Shatibi, Ibn Qayyim, Wahbah al-Zuhayli, and Jasser Auda. Data analysis was conducted using comparative-conceptual analysis and content analysis methods. The findings reveal that dalālah operates within the textual-semantic domain concerning linguistic meanings from sacred texts; 'illat operates within the domain of legal causality representing the rational-syar'i reason behind a ruling; and manāṭ operates within the domain of empirical reality concerning the actual application of law to concrete cases. These three concepts form a hierarchical epistemological structure: dalālah → 'illat → manāṭ.  An integrated yet differentiated understanding of these three concepts is a methodological prerequisite for valid, adaptive, and responsive contemporary ijtihād, particularly in addressing modern economic and financial transactions not explicitly mentioned in classical texts.

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alwajiz

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Description

Al Wajiz: Journal of Sharia and Economics Studies is a scientific journal that focuses on publishing research findings, theoretical studies, and conceptual thoughts related to Islamic Law (Sharia) and Economics. This journal aims to serve as an academic platform that bridges classical and ...