In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Difference between Usool Fiqh and Qawaa’id Fiqh

By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen may Allah have mercy on him

The shaykh mentioned this point of benefit in his explanation of the famous fiqh poem “al-Waraqaat”. This particular excerpt can be found in his introduction to the book.

Usool Fiqh takes the name “Foundations of Fiqh”, meaning: fiqh is built upon it. There are things which are called Usool Fiqh and there are other things which are called Qawaa’id Fiqh.

Usool Fiqh is examining the proofs/evidences of fiqh, and Qawaa’id Fiqh is examining the issues of fiqh. Generally, there isn’t a connection between Qawaa’id and evidences.

For example the book “Qawaai’d Ibn Rajab” does not contain within it evidences. It only examines the elements and rules in fiqh, and is built upon these issues. However Usool Fiqh examines the evidences in fiqh and its principles. This is the difference between them.

Translated by: Michael AbdusSalaam Deonarain

الفقير الى الله