Contemporary Fiqh Is the Most Comprehensive Compound Term Among Emerging Branches of Jurisprudence

Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi, in a meeting with researchers from the Research Institute of Contemporary Fiqh Studies held on the occasion of Research Week, examined the conceptual framework of the compound term “Contemporary Fiqh.”

The President of the Research Institute of Contemporary Fiqh Studies addressed the reason for the priority of Contemporary Fiqh (Fiqh-e Mu’asir) over other applied branches of jurisprudence (Fiqh-e Madaf), adding: “All terms that address modern jurisprudential topics—such as Governmental Fiqh (Fiqh-e Hokumati), Social Fiqh (Fiqh-e Ejtema’i), Civilizational Fiqh (Fiqh-e Tamaddoni), and others—claim a distinction from the traditional approach. However, Contemporary Fiqh is the most comprehensive compound term, encompassing all of these. Contemporary Fiqh refers to a jurisprudence that draws upon modern sciences, utilizes modern methodologies, addresses new and emerging issues, and re-reads traditional issues, examining them through a modern approach.”

He noted: “Through this approach, it stands as the most comprehensive compound term among emerging branches of jurisprudence. For example, Civilizational Fiqh is a jurisprudence that addresses the processes leading to the production of civilization and considers the overall trajectory. Or Governmental Fiqh is grounded in the centrality of governance. Or Social Fiqh addresses the pointlessness of an isolated individual life.”

He emphasized: “Contemporary Fiqh is a jurisprudence that utilizes modern sciences, draws support from modern methodologies, re-reads traditional issues, and re-evaluates topics through a modern approach. Under this approach, Contemporary Fiqh observes the issues of the contemporary world and the processes of the modern era, seeking to present a coherent intellectual system on this foundation.”