Principal and Branch of Religion: Critical Study of the Distribution of Usul-Furu ‘

In Islamic studies, the term ushul (principal) and furu ‘(branches) are often used to distinguish between cases that are considered main and derivatives. However, this division often causes confusion and debate, especially when it is associated with the verdict of a person or not a person. Shaykhul Islam Ibnu Taimiyah explained that what became Usul was a big case, both in belief and practice, while the furu ‘were more detailed cases. With this understanding, we are invited to be wiser in assessing every religious problem, so as not to be rash in establishing the law of others.

Criticizing the distribution of ushul and furu ‘in religion

It has become a habit of many scholars to distinguish between some problems in religion that they consider to be ushul (principal of religion), and some others are considered furu ‘(branches). Based on this division, they build a law person may be forgiven if it is wrong in the problem of furu ‘, but cannot be forgiven if wrong in ushul.

This division is also applied in the discipline of Sharia Sciences: the science of creed and the science of ushul is considered as ushul, while fiqh science is considered as furu ‘. This causes some scholars to deny this division and even criticize the implications.

Irregularity in division

If you pay attention, the division between Usul and Furu ‘, both in religious matters and in the branch of syar’i science, is not consistent even among those who support it. Therefore, some scholars refuse and criticize this division.

Among the most strict scholars in rejecting this division is Shaykhul Islam Ibnu Taimiyah Rahimahullahwhich was later followed by his students, Ibn Qayyim Al-Jauziyah Rahimahullah.

Shaykh Ibn Taimiyah Islamic Rahimahullah said:

“As for the difference between the types called the problem of ushul and other types called furu problems’, then this division does not have a basis of friends, nor from the tabi’in who follow them well, not from the Islamic priests.

Then he challenged:

“For those who distinguish these two types, please explain the limits of the problem of ushul that causes disbelief if someone is wrong in it? And what is the clear difference between ushul and furu ‘? If they say:’ Usul’s problem is a problem of creed, while furu ‘is a problem of amaliah,’ then tell them: many differences of opinion about whether the prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam Verses and truths of the hadith – this is all a matter of scientific creed, but the scholars agree that there is no disbelief in it. “

“On the contrary, the obligation to pray, zakat, fasting, and the haram of adultery and khamar is a matter of amaliah. But who is the one who denies it, is punished by infidels by the agreement of the ulama.”

“If they say that ushul is a problem that is qath’i (sure), then it is answered: many problems of amaliah are qath’i, and many problems of science (creed) that are not qath’i. Besides, qath’i and zhanni (suspicion) are relative. the argument to him. “

Ibnu Qayyim Rahimahullah Also says:

“They divide religion into scientific and amaliah matters, then named them ushul and furu ‘. They say that the truth in the problem of ushul is one, who excludes it then infidel or fascic. Whereas in the problem of furu’, there is no one particular law from God, even every mujtahid must be true and all opinions are true according to God. Their opinion, like allowing to determine Furu ‘with Khabar ahad but not for Usul.

Solution: Re -setting and accuracy

But if examined deeper, the division between Usul and Furu ‘cannot be completely rejected. He can be justified if it meets two important conditions:

1. Make a syar’i correct limit in distinguishing between Usul and Furu ‘.
2. Scientifically examine every law built on both.

Interestingly, the Islamic Shaykh Ibn Taimiyah itself is sometimes used in the terms “Usuluddin” and “Furu’uddin”, but not in the sense used by Kalam. For example, he said:

“If you know that the term ‘ushuluddin’ as known by the drivers is ambiguous and not firm … then what is meant as Usuluddin according to Allah, His Messenger, and the believers are inherited from the Messenger of Allah.”

Also in words:

“There are many sectarian priests from Fuqaha, Hadith, and Sufis – even though they are in Furu ‘following one of the priests – still saying that in Usul or in the Sunnah, they follow Imam Ahmad Bin Hambal.”

Or:

“The Al-Qur’an method in discussing Usul and Furu ‘is the most perfect approach in terms of the proposition and the contents of the content.”

So, as long as this division has a clear limit and is not used as a basis for establishing laws such as takfir and tafsiq, the division can be accepted as a technical term, not as a basis for sharia law.

Example How to Divide: Where’s Usul, Which Furu ‘

The scholars once proposed several ways to distinguish between Usul and Furu ‘, including:

1. Ushul is a rational thing, Furu ‘is the one who has a nash.
2. Ushul shed man qath’i, Furu ‘Zhanni.
3. Ushul is scientific, furu ‘is amaliah.
4. Ushul is a request (Thalabiyat), Furu ‘is information (khabariyat).

But all of these approaches have drawn criticism, because each has weaknesses. Therefore, stronger opinions are:

Every big and fundamental thing is part of Usul, while more detailed and in -depth is part of Furu ‘, both in the field of science and charity.

As said to be Islamic Shaykh,

The truth is that the great of each of the two classes – scientific and practical problems – asset problems, and branch flour issues. The knowledge of duties, such as the five buildings of Islam, and the prohibition of frequent, visible taboos, such as the knowledge that God is capable of everything and everything is knowledgeable, and that he is hearing insight, Frequent Apparent Issues, and for this one of the disbelief of those practical judgments is unbelievable, just as whoever disbelieves this does not believe

“True, the main things of the two types of scientific (self-confidence) or practical (story) are included in the ushul category (religion), while the detailed problem is Furu ‘(Branch). So knowledge of obligations such as the pillars of Islam is five, and the destruction of the big sins that are real and have been widely known, and the belief that Allah is Almighty for everything, all of you know everything, that He is All-heard, that the Qur’an is Kalamullah (the Word of God), and the like-all of which is a large case that has been widespread and is known. Therefore, who denies the agreed laws of the amaliah, he is punished by infidels, as those who deny these cases of beliefs are also punished by infidels. “

Also read: The dangers of alcoholic drinks

Reference: Islamway.net

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8 Dzulqa’dah 1446 H, coinciding with May 5, 2025, @ Darush Sholihin Gunungkidul

Author: Dr. Muhammad Abduh Tuasikal

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