Jurisprudence the Essentials of the Islamic Law

Jurisprudence the Essentials of the Islamic Law

The Foundations of Anthropological Epistemology science of Uṣūl Centered on the Kifāyah al-Uṣūl

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Majid Ghadimi 1
abedin momeni 2
Seyed Mahmood Halataee 3
1 PhD Student, Department of Jurisprudence and Law, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Alborz Campus of University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Jurisprudence and Fundamentals of Islamic Law, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Jurisprudence and Fundamentals of Islamic Law, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/jjfil.2026.410305.669961
Abstract
"The science of Principles of Jurisprudence is a human science, and human knowledge and disciplines are constantly in a state of interaction and exchange. Consequently, any transformation, contraction, or expansion in one of these fields inevitably influences the others. Jurists and theorists also draw upon various foundations in their legal deductions, such as their perspective on existence (Philosophy), nature (Science), humanity, society, modern concepts (Development, Technology, etc.), and even their own lived experiences. These foundations act as a lens before their eyes; within their minds and subconscious, a jurisprudential apparatus and methodology take shape that possesses a distinct character compared to others. Akhund Khorasani, the author of the most significant book on Uṣūl, is no exception to this rule.

By centering on Kifāyah al-Uṣūl, this article addresses one of the most critical foundations of Ijtihad (independent legal reasoning), namely "Anthropology," in the sense of understanding human nature (Anthroposophy), from Akhund's perspective. It examines topics such as: Essentialism, Determinism, the primacy of Psychology, Rationality (which overlaps with Divine Law/Sharia), and Conscience (in the sense of logical intuitions). Subsequently, it explores several instances of how his anthropological views have influenced his scientific findings and legal deductions. For example, Akhund considers a transgressor deserving of punishment in addition to being subject to censure, because he believes that abstraction is the complete cause for deserving punishment. In this regard, he maintains an essentialist and deterministic view of human beings, which leads him to consider the merit of punishment as being consistent with Divine Justice"
Keywords
Principles
Anthropology
Kifāyah al-Uṣūl
Principles of Jurisprudence
Khorasani Akhond
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Jurisprudence the Essentials of the Islamic Law
Volume 59, Issue 1
Spring & Summer 2026
September 2026
Pages 281-302