How Do You Spell QIYAS?

Pronunciation: [kˈɪjəz] (IPA)

Qiyas or qiyās is a term used in Islamic jurisprudence to refer to analogical reasoning as a method of legal interpretation. The spelling of this word can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The first letter "q" represents a voiceless uvular stop, similar to the "q" sound in Arabic. The second letter "i" has a short vowel sound that is pronounced as "ih." The third letter "y" represents a consonant sound, similar to "y" in "yes." The fourth letter "a" has a long vowel sound pronounced as "aa." Finally, the fifth letter "s" represents a voiceless alveolar sibilant, similar to the "s" in "snake."

QIYAS Meaning and Definition

  1. Qiyas is an Arabic term commonly used in Islamic law (Sharia) to refer to the process of analogical reasoning or legal inference. It is a method of deducing legal rulings for situations not explicitly addressed in the Quran or Hadiths (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad), by applying the existing legal principles to similar cases.

    In Islamic jurisprudence, Qiyas involves drawing a parallel between two different situations: the "original case" (as-sabiq) that is explicitly mentioned in the Quran or Hadith, and the "new case" (al-muqayyad) that shares similar legal characteristics but lacks a specific mention. The legal rulings of the original case are then extended to cover the new case, based on the principle that similar cases should have similar rulings. This method assists in ensuring consistency and fairness in legal decisions concerning various contemporary matters.

    Qiyas is considered one of the four main sources of Islamic law, alongside the Quran, Hadith, and Ijma (consensus of Islamic scholars). It is extensively used in Islamic jurisprudence to address emerging issues and adapt the legal framework to changing circumstances without contradicting the established principles of Islam. It requires deep knowledge of the Quran and Hadith, as well as logical reasoning skills to determine the extent of similarity and apply the appropriate legal rulings.

    Overall, Qiyas serves as a significant tool for Islamic jurists in deducing legal principles and deriving new rulings, bridging the gap between traditional Islamic texts and contemporary legal challenges.

Etymology of QIYAS

The word "qiyas" is an Arabic term that is derived from the root word "qā-ya-sa", which means "to measure" or "to analogy". In Islamic jurisprudence, qiyas refers to a process of legal analogy, where a ruling is derived for a new case by drawing a parallel to an existing ruling. The word has been borrowed in various forms in different languages, including "qiyas" in English, "kıyas" in Turkish, and "qiyaas" in Urdu, among others.