Toward a Fiqh for Minorities : Some Basic Reflections

I N T R O DUC TI O N MUSLIM theologians have produced a theology for the majority, but a systematic formulation on the status of being a minority remains to be developed. This essay by the distinguished Shari’ah scholar, Professor Taha Jabir Alalwani outlines set of principles that he has considered essential for the proper exploration of the status of Muslims as a minority. He rightly points out that his use of the word “fiqh” in the title of this essay does not refer exclusively to what is called Islamic Law, but to what he, following Abu HanÏfah, calls “the greater fiqh.” In other words, his project is aimed at providing a methodology for a broad development of Muslim thought in all areas bearing on theology, law, and even history. This is an ambitious but necessary under-taking.