The Relationship Between the Unrestricted and Restricted Concepts and the Additional Innovation According to Imam Al-Shatibi: A Critical Jurisprudential Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This study explores the relationship between the unrestricted and restricted concepts and the concept of additional innovation (bid'ah idafiyyah) according to Imam Al-Shatibi. It clarifies the nature of this relationship and its jurisprudential foundation, particularly regarding the Sunnah of abandonment (Sunnah al-tark). The study also addresses the critical jurisprudential objections to Al-Shatibi's views on this matter. The researcher ultimately disagrees with Imam Al-Shatibi’s conclusions, as presented in his two famous works, Al-I'tisam and Al-Muwafaqat.

The researcher employed an analytical methodology, which included inductive reasoning, interpretation, explanation, and critique. One of the key findings is that specifying an unrestricted act of worship to a certain time does not constitute restricting the general command for that worship. Additionally, the Prophet's ﷺ decision not to perform certain unrestricted acts in specific instances does not imply a restriction on those acts. Therefore, performing such acts in those instances does not imply imposing a  non restriction for the restricted.

Keywords: Additional innovation (bid'ah idafiyyah), Al-Shatibi's approach to innovation, restricting the unrestricted based on the Sunnah of abandonment.