The Development of the Terminology of al-Hikmah in the History of Usul al-Fiqh

Abstract

The development of knowledge is important in any science for it is a necessity in order to achieve the truth and true knowledge. However, it can also cause some polemic on certain matter for which in order to solve that polemic it will need further elaboration and examination of various aspects pertaining to such matter such as the term used as defined by classical scholars. This study will be focusing on the term of al-Hikmah, its definition and interpretation both in the field of Quranic Exegesis (Tafsir) and The Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (Usul alFiqh) from classical and contemporary scholars’ perspectives. As data collection in this qualitative study, the method of documentation was used and the literatures of Usul al-Fiqh and Tafsir were examined. Meanwhile, the data were analysed using the method of content analysis. This study has found out that throughout the period of development in Usul al-Fiqh itself, the term of al-Hikmah has gone through some changes from the first time it was formulated and was defined by classical Usul scholars with various perspectives in connection with other terminology in Usul al-Fiqh such as al-‘illah and also with other branches of knowledge such as Theology or Dialectic (Kalam).