Understanding reality and its impact on changing Islamic legal rulings

Abstract

Reality represents the temporal and spatial context within which the rulings of Islamic Sharia are applied. Understanding reality and exercising jurisprudence concerning it are among the most important factors that assist in achieving the correct application of Islamic legal rulings, especially in newly emerging issues and unprecedented cases that concern Muslims individually and collectively. This was recognized by early jurists, who referred to it in their writings, and even earlier by the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), foremost among them the Rightly Guided Caliphs. They took reality into account when formulating legal rulings and did not confine themselves to the apparent meanings of textual evidence alone, but rather considered the surrounding controls, underlying meanings, and anticipated consequences