Sources of Islamic Law: Classification & Overview

The sources of Islamic Law are structurally divided into two main categories: Primary Sources and Secondary Sources.

1. Primary Sources

Primary sources are the foundational, divine roots of Islamic jurisprudence.

• The Holy Quran: The revolution of the Holy Quran is the first primary source.
• The Sunnah: The traditions and sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) are categorized as a primary source. Specifically, the Sunnah is the second primary source of Islamic law.
• Exam Takeaway: Primary sources include both the Quran and Sunnah.

2. Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are developmental tools used to resolve new legal issues.

• Dependency: A secondary source is never independent; it is always dependent on the primary source.
• Rational Nature: As noted by Imran Ahsan Khan Niazi, secondary sources are mostly rational. They are legal reasoning techniques that a Mujtahid (jurist) employs during the exercise of Ijtihad.