The science of priorities in the light of the Quran and the prophetic tradition - Yûsuf Al-Qaradâwi

Title: The science of priorities in the light of the Quran and the prophetic tradition

The present study concerns a subject of major importance, that relating to the dysfunction of measures and criteria – from the juridico-religious point of view (char'î) – when it comes to appreciating things, ideas and acts, to give precedence to some to the detriment of others, to determine which ones should be placed at the head, which ones to put at the end, to decide what rank to confer on one and the other in the hierarchy of divine injunctions or prophetic recommendations; especially since the balance of priorities of Muslims has been greatly disturbed in our time.

It attempts to highlight a set of priorities established by religious law (char') and based on convincing arguments. They will thus play the role incumbent on them, that of straightening out thinking, rectifying the method and anchoring this type of science. What is more, such priorities will be able to enlighten actors and theorists of the Islamic scene, allowing them to distinguish what has precedence from what is of lesser importance from the perspective of religious law (char'), to make the distinction between the questions on which Religion shows itself to be demanding, rigorous, and those on which it facilitates the application; between the matters that it minimizes and those to which it attaches major importance. Perhaps this will help to balance the excesses of immoderate minds as much as the laxity of carefree souls, as well as to promote a certain rapprochement between the views of conscientious actors in the Islamic field.

Author: Yûsuf Al-Qaradâwi

Editions: Maison d’Ennour