Correct Answer:
B. 4
The correct answer is 4. In Sunni Islamic jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh), there are four agreed-upon primary sources from which Islamic law (Shari'ah) is derived[reference:0].
The Four Primary Sources of Islamic Law
The four sources are often referred to as the "roots" (usul) of Islamic jurisprudence and are applied in a hierarchical order[reference:1]:
- The Qur'an: The holy book of Islam, containing the direct revelations from Allah to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is the supreme and most fundamental source of Islamic law[reference:2].
- The Sunnah: The traditions, sayings, and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Sunnah provides detailed explanation and practical application of the principles outlined in the Qur'an[reference:3].
- Ijma (Consensus): The collective agreement of Islamic scholars and jurists on a particular legal issue. It serves as a source of law when the Qur'an and Sunnah do not provide a clear, explicit ruling[reference:4].
- Qiyas (Analogical Reasoning): The process of extending a legal ruling from an existing case or principle in the Qur'an, Sunnah, or Ijma to a new case that shares the same underlying reason or cause (illah)[reference:5].
This framework of four primary sources was formally established by the renowned scholar Imam Al-Shafi'i (founder of the Shafi'i school of thought) in the 9th century CE, and it has been the foundation of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence ever since[reference:6].
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
- 3: This is an incorrect count. The Sunni Islamic tradition clearly identifies four primary sources, not three.
- 5: While some scholars may discuss additional secondary sources (like istihsan or masalih mursala), the core, agreed-upon primary sources are universally recognized as four[reference:7].
- 6: This is also an incorrect count. While the Twelver Shia tradition includes reason ('aql) as a fourth source in place of qiyas, the number of primary sources is still four in both major traditions[reference:8][reference:9].
Therefore, Sunni Islamic jurisprudence recognizes four primary sources—the Qur'an, Sunnah, Ijma, and Qiyas—making "4" the only correct answer.