Critique of the Theory of Abrogation

Dr. Jasser Auda is ​the Executive Chairman of the Maqasid Institute, a global think tank based in London, and a Visiting Professor of Islamic Law at Carleton University in Canada. He is a Founding and Board Member of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, member of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, Member of the Fiqh Council of North America, Al-Shatibi Chair of Maqasid Studies at the International Peace College South Africa, Fellow of the Islamic Fiqh Academy of India, and General Secretary of Yaqazat Feker, a popular youth organization in Egypt. He has written 25 books in Arabic and English.

• Table of ContentsIntroductionChapter One: Objectives of Islamic Law: Concepts and AimsChapter Two: Internal Contradiction or Mutual Exclusion by a Scholar2.1 Mutual exclusion or contradiction2.2 Contradiction between texts2.3 Ways of dealing with superficial contradictionChapter Three: Abrogation: Definitions and Uses3.1 Linguistic and technical definitions 3.2 The limitation, exception or interpretation of an earlier text by a later one3.3 Abrogation as meaning final annulment of a religious rulingChapter Four: A Critique of Some Methodologies Confirming Abrogation4.1 Is there any definitive evidence of the abrogation of any Qur’anic verses?4.2 Contradiction as evidence for abrogation4.3 Abrogation on the basis of dates: Are we required to adopt the latest?4.4 No abrogation based on anyone’s personal opinion4.5 What does ‘express’ abrogation mean? Is it enough to prohibit something after it was permissible, or to permit it after it was prohibited?Chapter Five: Cases of How Objectives Help in the Enforcement of Superficially Contradictory Texts5.1 Objectives of protecting the approved essentials by the Muslim government5.2 The objective of making things easier through a gradual implementation of Islamic laws5.3 Striking the balance between the objectives of worship and keeping things easy5.4 Balancing the objectives of human beings’ safety and protecting the environmentTheoretical and Practical ConclusionsBibliographyIndex