Preface

It is the responsibility and important obligation of the Islamic theologians ('Ulema) to solve problems and difficulties arising in every age. The masters of the classical age have addressed to the problems of their own time both individually and collectively. However, the latter has been regarded a safer and more appropriate approach in dealing with matters of Shariah. It is because the individual shortcomings could be done away with in a collective wisdom. Therefore, the reverend caliph Umar bin Khattab had followed this during the era of Companions (Sahaba) and Imam Abu Hanifa further elaborated upon it in the ensuing age.

There is no doubt that the present age is the age of fast changes. Hence, the experts in Islamic jurisprudence bestowed with acumen and grip on the nature of these changes have established Fiqh academies in various parts of the world. These collective platforms are growingly playing their crucial role in solving the issues and problems coming across in the field of Islamic jurisprudence. The leading divines and towering theologians of India have also taken keen interest to reflect on the contemporary issues and problems although in a limited way. May Allah generously reward late Qazi Mujahidul Islam Qasmi who laid the foundation of Islamic Academy (India) with the cooperation of concerned 'Ulema and scholars; and thus created a dynamic platform of the Islamic theologians of the country to sit together and resolve pressing issues of the time unitedly.

The Academy has successfully endeavored to avail cooperation of almost all leading 'Ulema and Muftis of the country apart from renowned figures in the field in India and from various countries.

It is a matter of pleasure and satisfaction for us that 14 grand Fiqh Seminars have been organised so far under the aegis of Islamic Fiqh Academy delving on around 70 issues of contemporary nature. The major decisions of these seminars have been published both in Urdu (Aham Fiqhi Faisle) and English 'Important Fiqhi Decisions'. Later on it was thought pertinent to republish them by arranging text on the basis of themes and subject matter rather than on chronological order so that interested people could have easy access to them.

Consequently, the volume containing major decisions of all the seminars, in a new order, was published in Urdu some time back titled 'Naye Masail aur 'Ulema-e-Hind ke Faisle'. The present title 'Juristic Decisions on some Contemporary Issues' is an endeavour to present various resolutions and decisions of the Fiqh Seminars, held so far, with a subject-wise arrangement of the undertaken issues. It is an updated edition of the previous title 'Important Fiqh Decisions' brought out in 2001 and 2005. Insha Allah, it will be our effort to bring out, as soon as possible, pamphlets dealing with a single problem for wider circulation among common people.

May Allah elevate the status of the founder of Islamic Fiqh Academy late Maulana Mujahidul Islam Qasmi in the Hereafter and help us to rightly preserve the treasure left by him and to develop it further in the days to come.

Khalid Saifullah Rahmani
General Secretary
1 November 2005
Islamic Fiqh Academy