A Jurisprudential Analysis of the Role of Insight (Basira) in Understanding Islamic Rulings and Fatwas

Abstract

This article examines the role of insight (Basira) in the process of ijtihad and the derivation of Sharia rulings, evaluating its impact on the accuracy and validity of fatwas. Insight, as a mental and spiritual attribute, assists scholars in understanding religious texts beyond their apparent meanings and enables them to derive rulings aligned with the objectives of Sharia, considering the circumstances of time and place. The study first explores the concept of insight from a jurisprudential perspective, analyzing the views of past and contemporary jurists regarding its significance in ijtihad. It then assesses the impact of insight on the accuracy of fatwas by examining examples from contemporary issues, such as Islamic banking and new financial transactions. The findings indicate that insight directly influences the quality of issued fatwas and helps prevent extremism and laxity in religious rulings. Additionally, insight aids jurists in distinguishing between the superficial appearances of texts and the deeper purposes of Sharia, allowing for the issuance of comprehensive and practical rulings for modern challenges. Finally, recommendations are presented for enhancing insight within religious seminaries and educating future jurists. These suggestions include promoting the teaching of insight to students, conducting comparative research on fatwas, and further encouraging the application of insight in addressing new issues. This research concludes that strengthening insight among scholars can improve the ijtihad process and contribute to the development of Islamic jurisprudence in response to contemporary challenges.