The Ijtihadic Degree of the Hanafi Jurist Imam Al-Kasani (d. 373 AH): A Practical Applied Study on the Five Functions of Mujtahids through his Book Bada’i’ al-Sana’i’ fi Tartib al-Shara’i’

Abstract

Relying on inductive and analytical approaches, the aim of this research is to clarify the jurisprudential status of Imam Abu Bakr bin Mas’oud bin Ahmad al-Kasani al-Hanafi in the Hanafi school of thought by studying the jurisprudential functions he studied.

One of the most important findings of the research is that Imam Abu Bakr bin Mas’oud bin Ahmad al-Kasani al-Hanafi is considered one of the scholars of the late fifth century, and he belongs to the class of advanced mujtahids in the Hanafi school of jurisprudence according to the chronological division, as he reached the highest ranks of jurisprudence and ijtihad, and attained the rank of “faqih al-nafs”. In addition, he is a unique scholar of his era and the scribe who wrote about jurisprudence with clarity and eloquence. He was the owner of the pen of fatwa, the seeker of the highest knowledge, and the explainer of the madhhab to resolve disputes and clarify matters in the way of benefit. He dedicated himself  to the course of usefulness in order to please and relief, and he was adorned with the finest virtues and the most noble descriptions.

The research recommends studying the luminaries of the nation and the jurists and determining their levels of ijtihad, in order to help them understand how to deal with jurisprudential books and the differences in the opinions of scholars.