The Jurisprudential Issues with Two Opin-ions in Ibn Qudama’s Al-Mughni (d. 620 AH) in the Book of Reconciliation: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This research aims to study the legal issues that have two different opinions in Ibn Qudamah's Al-Mughni (died 620 AH), focusing on the matters related to the Book of Reconciliation (Kitab al-Sulh). This topic is of great significance as it helps to understand the wealth of knowledge contained in Al-Mughni, which is one of the most important books in comparative jurisprudence within the Hanbali school of thought and even in Islamic jurisprudence in general. The book is known for its comprehensive content, and it stands out for its comparative legal methodology, which assists researchers in deepening their understanding of various schools of thought. This enables researchers to develop their analytical and evaluative skills.

The study presents the issues related to the Book of Reconciliation, showing the opinions of jurists and the eight Islamic schools of jurisprudence, citing the evidences and discussing them, and concluding with the strongest opinion. I concluded in my research that the existence of multiple opinions within a single school of thought plays a crucial role in contemporary fatwas, as this diversity allows jurists and legal scholars flexibility in choosing the most appropriate opinion for the current reality. I also recommend that students of knowledge should complete the study of the legal opinions found in Al-Mughni due to its importance as a rich reference in comparative jurisprudence.

The research is divided into an introduction, two sections, and a conclusion. The first section covers the personal and academic life of Imam Ibn Qudamah (may Allah have mercy on him), with three sub-sections. The second section discusses the legal issues with two opinions found in Al-Mughni on the topic of reconciliation, containing four sub-sections. The conclusion highlights the key findings of the study.