A Reflection on the Principles for Deriving Islamic Contractual Rules from the Ayat al-Ahkam of the Holy Qur'an

‌ ∴ Introduction ∴ ‌
Islamic jurisprudence is grounded in the principles established by scholars to interpret and extract rulings from primary religious texts, the most authoritative being the Qur'an. The interpretation of these texts, particularly the Ayat al-Ahkam, which deal specifically with legal rulings, is central to Islamic law. Among the principles discussed in Uṣūl al-Fiqh (Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence), one of the foundational ideas is the authority of the apparent meanings of Qur'anic verses. Islamic jurists have long debated and written extensively on this issue, seeking to identify which presumptions can be considered valid in the extraction of rulings. However, the focus on these principles has often been sidetracked by the theological differences between the mainstream juristic schools and the Akhbari school, which has questioned the permissibility of deriving legal rulings from the apparent meanings of Qur'anic texts. Despite the vast literature on the interpretation and application of Ayat al-Ahkam, no comprehensive mechanism exists for consistently extracting rulings, particularly in relation to contracts. This gap is the focus of this research, which aims to provide a clearer understanding of how Islamic jurists have applied the Ayat al-Ahkam to contractual rulings.
     The study is particularly significant as it addresses an area that has not been sufficiently explored in existing scholarship: the method and criteria for extracting rulings from the Ayat al-Ahkam on contracts such as Ibdāʿ (capital investment with profit allocation), Sharikah (partnership), and Muḍārabah (profit-sharing). By critically analyzing the rules and methods used by jurists in citing the Qur'an for these contracts, the study endeavors to clarify whether these methods are valid and aligned with established principles.
 
‌ ∴ Research Question ∴ ‌
The primary question addressed in this study is: What are the rules for extracting contracts from the Ayat al-Ahkam? More specifically, the research aims to examine the ways in which Islamic jurists cite Qur'anic verses to substantiate the legitimacy of contracts such as Ibdāʿ, Sharikah, and Muḍārabah. The study also investigates whether these methods of extraction are grounded in clear, systematic rules, or if they are instead influenced by subjective interpretations and assumptions.
 
‌ ∴ Research Hypothesis ∴ ‌
The author hypothesizes that there is no precise and clear rule for deriving Shari'ah rulings from the Ayat al-Ahkam in the works of Islamic jurists. This hypothesis stems from the observation that, despite the extensive literature on the interpretation of the Qur'an in Islamic jurisprudence, there is no established, universally accepted framework for extracting rulings related to contracts. Furthermore, the research suggests that this lack of a systematic approach has resulted in inconsistencies and divergent interpretations in the application of the Ayat al-Ahkam to the realm of contractual agreements.
 
‌ ∴ Methodology & Framework, if Applicable ∴ ‌
This research adopts an inductive and critical approach, drawing on the analysis of both classical and contemporary Islamic jurisprudential texts. The methodology involves a systematic review of the literature related to the extraction of legal rulings from the Ayat al-Ahkam, with a particular focus on contracts. The study begins by defining the two key concepts: Ayat al-Ahkam and contracts, to ensure clarity in the analysis. Then, a thorough examination is conducted of the methods employed by Islamic jurists to extract legal rulings from the Qur'anic verses that deal with contracts. This is followed by a critical evaluation of the rules proposed in existing texts.
     The framework for this research involves two primary stages:
     Stage One: The compilation of rules for extracting contracts from the Ayat al-Ahkam, based on existing scholarly works and interpretations.
     Stage Two: The application of these compiled rules to specific examples of contracts, such as Ibdāʿ, Sharikah, and Muḍārabah, to assess the validity and consistency of the extraction methods. The results will be critically examined to identify any shortcomings in the process and determine whether the applied methods are aligned with the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.
 
‌ ∴ Results & Discussion ∴ ‌
The analysis of the rules for extracting contracts from the Ayat al-Ahkam of the Qur'an revealed several key insights into the methods and limitations of previous scholarly interpretations. The study demonstrated that while Islamic jurists have made significant efforts to apply the Qur'anic verses to various contractual agreements, such as Ibdāʿ, Sharikah, and Muḍārabah, there is a clear absence of a unified or standardized framework for such extractions. The existing interpretations often rely on general principles rather than specific guidance from the Qur'an, which can lead to inconsistencies and subjective conclusions.
     The primary critique presented in this research is the tendency to apply Qur'anic verses to contracts that are grounded in human custom, such as commercial partnerships, without sufficient regard for the Qur'an's actual purpose and method of legal instruction. The Qur'an generally conveys legal rulings through broad principles, leaving specific details to be clarified through other sources of law and human reasoning. As such, applying verses to contracts like Ibdāʿ, Sharikah, and Muḍārabah appears to be a strained interpretation, lacking a comprehensive foundation in the text itself.
     Furthermore, the study critiqued the common misapplication of the Qur'anic principle of establishing new meaning in legal matters. The principle "al-ta'sīs khayr min al-ta'kīd" (establishing new meaning is preferred over reiteration) suggests that the Qur'an addresses novel legal questions or matters beyond the common understanding of people, rather than reinforcing established customs like contracts. This conceptual misalignment challenges the legitimacy of using the Qur'an as a primary source for the detailed regulation of contracts, which are traditionally governed by social practices and customs.
     The study also examined the critical perspectives of Ayat al-Ahkam researchers who have attempted to connect Qur'anic verses to contracts. It was found that while these scholars made significant contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, their conclusions were often incomplete, as they failed to recognize the limitations of the Qur'an's direct engagement with the specifics of contractual law.
 
‌ ∴ Conclusion ∴ ‌
In conclusion, this research emphasizes the need for a more systematic and disciplined approach to the extraction of legal rulings from the Ayat al-Ahkam of the Qur'an, particularly in relation to contracts. The study argues that the Qur'an's mission is to address matters beyond human understanding and that the principles conveyed through its verses should not be used to establish detailed rules for contracts, which are inherently rooted in human custom.
     While some jurists have attempted to extract rulings on contracts such as Ibdāʿ, Sharikah, and Muḍārabah from the Qur'an, their interpretations often overlook the Qur'an’s method of addressing legal matters. The research suggests that rather than focusing on specific contractual details, Islamic jurisprudence should focus on the broader legal principles outlined in the Qur'an and supplement these with insights from other sources of Islamic law, including human custom, reasoning, and established legal precedents.
     The study calls for further exploration of the relationship between the general principles of the Qur'an and the specificities of contractual law. The absence of clear, standardized rules for deriving contracts from the Qur'an indicates a need for more refined methods of legal extraction that better align with the broader goals of Islamic jurisprudence. Ultimately, the research urges scholars to reconsider the applicability of Qur'anic verses to the detailed regulation of contracts and to focus on the principles that can guide the evolution of contract law in the context of Islamic legal thought.