DEFINATION OF QIYAAS (القياس)

 

 

 **1. Definition of Qiyas (القياس)**

 

 

**Qiyas** is an Islamic legal method of analogical reasoning used to derive rulings for new issues by comparing them to established rulings in the Quran, Sunnah, or Ijma (consensus) based on a shared underlying cause (**‘Illah**).

 

 

It is the **fourth source of Islamic law** after:

 

1. The Quran

 

2. The Sunnah

 

3. Ijma (Scholarly Consensus)

 

 

 **2. Ruling on Qiyas**

 

 

- **Majority View (Sunni Schools):** Qiyas is a valid and essential tool in Islamic jurisprudence when no explicit text (Quran or Hadith) is available.

 

- **Hanafis, Malikis, Shafi’is, and Hanbalis** accept Qiyas but differ in its application.

 

- **Minority View (Zahiris & Some Shi’a Scholars):** Reject Qiyas, relying only on direct texts.

 

 

 **3. Conditions for Valid Qiyas**

 

 

1. **Asl (Original Case):** Must have a clear ruling from Quran/Sunnah.

 

2. **Far’ (New Case):** The new issue must not have a direct ruling.

 

3. **‘Illah (Effective Cause):** The reason behind the ruling must be applicable to both cases.

 

4. **Hukm (Ruling):** The derived ruling must match the original.

 

 

**4. Examples of Qiyas**

 

 

| **Original Case (Asl)** | **New Case (Far’)** | **‘Illah (Cause)** | **Ruling (Hukm)** |

 

|--------------|-----------|-----------|--------

 

 

| **Alcohol (Khamr) is Haram (Quran 5:90)** | **Drugs (Cocaine, Heroin, etc.)** | Both cause intoxication and impair judgment | Drugs are Haram |

 

| **Stealing (Sariqah) requires hand amputation (Quran 5:38)** | **Digital Fraud (Hacking, Scams)** | Both involve unlawful taking of others’ property | Punishment may apply if conditions are met |

 

| **Riba (Interest) is Haram (Quran 2:275)** |

 

**Modern Banking Interest** | Both involve unfair increase without real trade | Interest is Haram |

 

| **Prohibition of harming others (Hadith: "No harm shall be inflicted or reciprocated")** | **Polluting the environment** | Both cause harm to society | Pollution is prohibited |

 

 

**5. Types of Qiyas**

 

 

1. **Qiyas Jali (Clear Analogy):** Strong, obvious ‘Illah (e.g., drugs compared to alcohol).

 

2. **Qiyas Khafi (Hidden Analogy):** Less obvious ‘Illah (e.g., comparing a grandfather to a father in inheritance).

 

 

 **6. Controversial Cases & Differences Among Scholars**

 

 

- **Using Gold & Silver as currency (Zakat applies)**

 

→ **Can paper money be included ?**

 

- Some scholars apply Qiyas (since it serves the same purpose), others differ.

 

 

Here are **Examples of Qiyas (Analogical Reasoning)**

 

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 ** 1. Qiyas on Intoxicants (Khamr) → Drugs**

 

 

**Original Case (Asl) – Quran 5:90:**

 

 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

 

 

> *"O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful."* (Quran 5:90)

 

 

**New Case (Far’) – Drugs (Cocaine, Heroin, etc.)**

 

**‘Illah (Cause):** Both cause intoxication, cloud judgment, and harm society.

 

**Ruling:** Drugs are **Haram** (prohibited) by Qiyas.

 

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 ** 2. Qiyas on Theft (Sariqah) → Digital Fraud**

 

 

**Original Case (Asl) – Quran 5:38:**

 

 

وَالسَّارِقُ وَالسَّارِقَةُ فَاقْطَعُوا أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَاءً بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَالًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

 

 

> *"As for the thief, male or female, cut off their hands as a penalty for what they have done—a deterrent from Allah. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise."* (Quran 5:38)

 

 

**New Case (Far’) – Hacking, Online Scams, Identity Theft**

 

**‘Illah (Cause):** Both involve unlawfully taking others' property.

 

**Ruling:** Severe punishment may apply if conditions are met (after proper Islamic judicial process).

 

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 ** 3. Qiyas on Riba (Interest) → Modern Banking Interest**

 

 

**Original Case (Asl) – Quran 2:275:**

 

 

الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ

 

 

> *"Those who consume interest cannot stand [on Judgment Day] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity..."* (Quran 2:275)

 

 

**New Case (Far’) – Bank Interest, Credit Card Interest**

 

**‘Illah (Cause):** Both involve unjust increase without real trade.

 

**Ruling:** All forms of interest are **Haram** by Qiyas.

 

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 ** 4. Qiyas from Hadith – Prohibition of Harm

→ Environmental Pollution**

 

 

**Original Case (Asl) – Hadith:**

 

 

 «لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ»

 

 

> *"There should be neither harming (darar) nor reciprocating harm (dirar)."*

 

(Sunan Ibn Majah 2340)

 

 

**New Case (Far’) – Industrial Pollution, Toxic Waste Dumping**

 

**‘Illah (Cause):** Both cause harm to people and the environment.

 

**Ruling:** Pollution is **prohibited** by Qiyas.

 

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 ** 5. Qiyas on Gold & Silver (Zakat) → Paper Money**

 

**Original Case (Asl) – Hadith:**

 

 

 «وَفِى الرِّقَةِ رُبُعُ الْعُشْرِ»

 

 

> *"On silver, you must pay a quarter of one-tenth (2.5%) [as Zakat]."* (Sahih Bukhari 1405)

 

 

**New Case (Far’) – Paper Currency (Dollars, Euros, etc.)**

 

**‘Illah (Cause):** Both serve as a medium of exchange and store of value.

 

**Ruling:** Zakat is **obligatory** on paper money by Qiyas.

 

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 **Conclusion**

 

These examples show how **Qiyas** is used to apply Quranic and Hadith rulings to new situations. The key is identifying the **‘Illah (underlying cause)** to ensure the analogy is valid.