Controversies Around Verbal Evidence: An Investigation of the Islamic Jurisprudential Principles

Abstract

This study explains the reasons for the controversies in the interpretation of Islamic verbal evidence by examining the opinions of scholars on verbal clues, evidence, and the differences in opinions on them. Taking an inductive approach in collecting the scientific materials on Islamic jurisprudence principles, the study extracted what was related to the theme. Findings showed that the controversy among scholars on the verbal evidence can be classified into two schools of thought: One, which believes that verbal evidence only provides uncertain conjecture; and two, that it provides certainty and conclusive evidence. The study concluded with asserting the importance of fundamental research to identify the reasons of such controversy and its impact on jurisprudential branches. Also, the study shows that a connection exists between  jurisprudence and Islamic theology. Finally, the study showed that the roots of the controversy on verbal evidence lie in the jurisprudential principles themselves.