A Critique of the Theory of Abrogation

A Critique of the Theory of Abrogation

IS IT TRUE that some Qur’anic verses, establishing certain rulings, have been abrogated and their rulings are no longer valid? Some scholars have claimed that nearly two hundred Qur’anic verses have been abrogated, but other scholars argue that many of these cases do not stand up to scrutiny.

The very idea of abrogation sounds fascinating to many Muslims. Through Islamic history, the study of abrogation acquired special importance as a distinct discipline of Qur’anic studies. Books were devoted to explaining which Qur’anic verses abrogated which earlier ones. But is there really a sound argument that abrogation occurred during the Prophet’s lifetime, with Qur’anic revelations cancelling earlier rulings totally, so as to make them invalid for the rest of time?

This book critically examines such an understanding of abrogation theory. It aims to present to the reader and students of Islamic studies the opposite view that what is said to be abrogated could still address some practical situations.

JASSER AUDA is a scholar who specializes in Islamic law and legal theory. A member of fiqh councils in Europe, America, and Asia, early in his life, he memorized the Qur’an and attended study circles of al-Azhar in Cairo, Egypt. He holds a PhD in the philosophy of Islamic law from the University of Wales, UK, and a PhD in systems analysis from the University of Waterloo, Canada.

About The Author

Dr. Jasser Auda is the Founding Director of Al-Maqasid Research Centre in the Philosophy of Islamic Law (Markaz Dirasat Maqasid al-Shariah al-Islamiyyah ), Al-Furqan Foundation, London, U.K., since 2005; fellow of the International Institute of Advanced Systems Research, Canada; founding member of the International Union for Muslim Scholars, based in Dublin; member of the Academic Council of the International Institute of Islamic Thought, UK; member of the Board of Trustees of the Global Civilizations Study Centre, UK; member of the Executive Board of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists, UK; member of the Forum Against Islamophobia and Racism, UK; and a visiting lecturer to a number of academic institutes in the UK, Canada, Egypt, and India.

Dr. Jasser Auda had volunteered as Imam in Egypt and Canada, and has developed a multi-disciplinary academic background through writing two PhD theses on the Philosophy of Islamic Law, and Systems Analysis and Design, at the University of Wales, UK, and the University of Waterloo, Canada, respectively.

Dr. Auda is a Visiting Lecturer to a number of academic institutes in Canada, UK, Egypt, and India.

About The Translator

Dr Adil Salahi’s main career has been in radio and print journalism, and for over 30 years he was editor of ‘Islam in Perspective’, a twice-weekly full-page column in the Arab News, a Saudi daily newspaper.

He teaches at the Markfield Institute of Higher Education, Leicester, England. After working for the BBC Arabic Service for several years, he worked for the Arabic daily, al-Sharq al-Awsat.