The Jurisprudential Choices of Imam al-Babarti in the Book al-Irshad: An Analytical Comparative Study in Light of the Hanafi School

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the jurisprudential deviations of Imam Al-Babarti in his book Al-Irshad by examining the instances where he diverged from the established Hanafi school positions. The research employs inductive, comparative, and analytical methodologies. The findings reveal that despite Imam Al-Babarti’s general adherence to the Hanafi school and its established rulings, he made jurisprudential choices in six specific issues within the book. These deviations highlight the necessity of carefully distinguishing between the authoritative opinions and other juridical views presented in classical texts, thereby enhancing the understanding of jurisprudential differences within the same school.

Accordingly, the study emphasizes the importance of critically and methodically examining the variations and ijtihad of jurists to improve the precision in interpreting legal texts and to advance the research tools used in contemporary Islamic jurisprudential studies.

Keywords: Al-Babarti, Al-Irshad, Ijtihad, Hanafi school.