Wisdom-Oriented Interpretation of Jurisprudential Rulings in Light of Formalism and Legal Justifiability
Keywords:
Wisdom, Reason for rulings, Formalism, Justifiability, Guarantee of executionAbstract
Understanding the rationale and wisdom behind the existence of norms in any legal, political, or religious system is considered a highly significant factor in fostering adherence to those norms by members of society. The distinction between legal norms and moral norms lies in the concept of enforceability. If an individual subject to the law refuses to accept the norms established for the order of society, they will face the prescribed sanction. However, it must be noted that an overemphasis on enforceability as a means of securing adherence to norms is only acceptable to society up to a certain threshold, and not all norms possess the capacity to be upheld through strict and deterrent sanctions. As a result, it becomes necessary to focus on other elements and variables that promote adherence to norms. One of the most effective factors in this regard is the explanation of the reasons and wisdom behind the establishment of norms. The findings of the present study—collected using a descriptive-analytical method and library-based tools—indicate that a wisdom-oriented approach (ḥikmat-angārī) to jurisprudential rulings has long been considered by Islamic jurists and uṣūlīs (legal theorists). However, in the domain of devotional rulings (aḥkām ʿibādī), an excessive emphasis on their purely devotional nature (taʿabbudī) often leads to a decrease in adherence to such rulings.
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