Fiqh facts for kids

Fiqh (pronounced "fick") is an important part of Islamic law. It helps Muslims understand how to live their daily lives according to Islamic teachings. Think of it as a guide that explains how to do things like pray, fast, and treat others fairly.

Fiqh is developed by Islamic scholars, sometimes called 'Ulema'. They study the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad to give advice and answers (called fatwas) on different situations. This helps Muslims make good choices and follow Islamic rules.

What Fiqh Covers

Fiqh covers many parts of a Muslim's life. It includes:

• Acts of Worship: This means how to perform prayers (Salah), give to charity (Zakat), fast during Ramadan, and go on the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).
• Daily Life Actions: This includes rules about business, marriage, family life, and how to interact with people in society.

Schools of Thought in Fiqh

Muslims have different ways of understanding and applying Fiqh. These are called "schools of thought" or "madhhabs." They are not different religions, but different ways scholars have interpreted Islamic law over time.

Sunni Schools

In Sunni Islam, there are four main schools of thought. Each school was founded by a famous scholar and has its own way of looking at Islamic rules. They are:

• Hanafi
• Maliki
• Shafi'i
• Hanbali

These schools often agree on most things, but they might have different opinions on smaller details.

Shia Schools

In Shia Islam, there is one main school of thought for Fiqh. It is called the Ja'fari school.

Images for kids

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  Legal systems around the world.

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  Map showing the main schools of thought in the Muslim world.