The Contemporary Jurisprudence Encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jurisprudence (in persian: دانشنامه فقه معاصر) is an online resource dedicated to topics related to contemporary jurisprudence. It is designed to collect, report, and evaluate scholarly advancements in the field. In addition to pages for study materials, the encyclopedia provides separate sections for various issues, perspectives, theories, foundational concepts, rationale, and notable figures in contemporary jurisprudence.

As a knowledge management system, The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jurisprudence began its operations in 2019 and is published by the Research Institute of Contemporary Jurisprudence. As of February 2023, over 330 pages of content have been developed within this encyclopedia.

About the Encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jurisprudence is an online resource that provides entri es on topics related to contemporary jurisprudence or newly emerging issues. The articles within this encyclopedia are developed under the supervision of an editorial board and are evaluated by scholars and researchers in the field of Islamic jurisprudence from both religious seminaries and universities.

The primary aim of this encyclopedia is to compile and make accessible research that has previously been conducted in the domain of contemporary jurisprudence. The articles serve as a report on existing jurisprudential interpretations and research, rather than engaging in original investigations of contemporary jurisprudential issues. Consequently, this encyclopedia presents concepts, topics, issues, foundational concepts, sources, arguments, and figures associated with contemporary jurisprudence.

What is contemporary jurisprudence?

Contemporary jurisprudence refers to a branch of Islamic law that addresses issues and topics that have emerged over the past two centuries or have existed prior but have gained increased attention in the modern era. Consequently, the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jurisprudence not only addresses new and emerging subjects but also revisits traditional legal topics that have gained prominence in modern discourse, leading to new debates and critiques.

Entries of the Contemporary Jurisprudence Encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jurisprudence presents a collection of concepts related to contemporary jurisprudence, organized into several general categories and structured as encyclopedia entries. These topics include issues, opinions and theories, foundational concepts, rationale, notable figures, and a list of references.

Topics and issues within contemporary jurisprudence

The entries introducing the topics on contemporary jurisprudence serve as the most important articles in the encyclopedia. They first provide a definition of the title, then outline the related issues, and, finally, present various opinions and rulings related to them, along with the reasoning behind such rulings. Examples of such articles include those that discuss standard legal rulings and sculpturing.

Opinions and theories

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jurisprudence introduces and reports innovations and new theoretical contributions to Islamic jurisprudence. Each theory is detailed in an article that presents the theorist, the fundamental principles of the theory, and the associated arguments and critiques. Among these are The Legal Addresses Theory in the field of Usul al-Fiqh, and the theory of precedence of ethics over jurisprudence in the foundations of modern jurisprudence.

Personalities and theorists

Over the past two centuries, various intellectuals from both religious seminaries and universities in Islamic nations have contemplated contemporary jurisprudence, resulting in a wealth of scholarly works. The Contemporary Jurisprudence Encyclopedia seeks to allocate part of its articles to highlight the academic contributions, foundational theories, viewpoints, and writings of these scholars, featuring prominent individuals like Mohammad Hossein Naeini, Imam Khomeini, and Mohammad Ibrahim Janati Shahrudi.

Foundations of Contemporary Jurisprudence

A number of entries in the encyclopedia of contemporary jurisprudence focus on presenting the theoretical foundations of the contemporary jurisprudence. Given that contemporary jurisprudence arises from confronting new issues and sometimes revisiting earlier jurisprudential thoughts, some commonly accepted principles in legal interpretations, which have been prevalent among jurists, have faced challenges and critiques. Therefore, the introduction and reevaluation of these foundations hold significant importance. Some entries related to the foundations of contemporary jurisprudence in the current encyclopedia include the area of legal uncertainty and the philosophy of Islamic jurisprudence.

Introducing new books and journal publications

Some articles in the Contemporary Jurisprudence Encyclopedia provide either a brief or detailed overview, and at times a critical analysis, of books and journals published in the field of contemporary jurisprudence. The nature of these introductions—whether brief, detailed, or critical—depends on the significance, content, and relevance of the respective book or journal. Among these articles are: the examination of the jurisprudential aspects of civil obedience and disobedience, "Al-Mabsut fi Fiqh al-Masa'il al-Mu'asirah," "Wasail al-Injab al-Sina'iyah," and the "Quarterly Journal of Jurisprudence".

proofs

Some jurisprudential proofs, including verses of the Quran, hadiths, and legal rules, are frequently used in contemporary Islamic jurisprudence. One of the objectives of the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jurisprudence is to introduce some of these proofs and the commonly used methods in the reasoning of jurists. These articles aim to report on the scope of application of these reasons in modern jurisprudence, the methods of reasoning employed, the theoretical foundations, and critiques related to these evidences. Among these reasons are the "negation of domination” rule, the accepted narration of Umar ibn Hanzalah, and the verse prohibiting alteration of God's creation.

list of research sources

part of the entries in the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jurisprudence focus on the introduction and systematic listing of study sources concerning contemporary jurisprudence. In these sections, efforts have been made to gather a collection of books, articles, theses, and other pertinent resources related to a particular topic: all pages of study sources.

Tree diagram for topics on the contemporary jurisprudence

Developing a tree diagram and a subject index for new issues in Islamic Jurisprudence is a responsibility of the Contemporary Jurisprudence Encyclopedia. The organization of contemporary jurisprudential issues and the classification of resources generated in this field are collectively referred to as "classification." This classification process is time-consuming and requires thoughtful reflection and intellectual discussions. The main titles of these categories are available in 28 entries within the classification section.

Performance report

As of mid-February 2023, over 330 pages have been created in this encyclopedia, with approximately 290 pages dedicated to the introduction of research resources. Additionally, around 40 articles have been written on current issues, foundational concepts, personalities, and detailed introductions of books.