Why was there no organised course of study in the early stages of Islam?
Since the people around the Messenger ﷺ lived during the time of revelation and the events which prompted revelation, they were in no need of what later became known as Fiqh and its principles.
Owing to their comprehension and deep understanding of the language of the Qurʿān, as well as living the events that prompted [divine] legislations, they were free of that need. Also, bear in mind that they would rush to the Prophet ﷺ with any issue they had encountered.
As for the knowledge of the sīrah [history of the Prophet ﷺ] and siyar – [the laws pertaining to the expeditions [of the Prophet ﷺ] - then they are the people of the Sīrah [who accompanied the Prophet ﷺ on these expeditions] and these events took place with them.
Likewise, they did not need to formally study the Arabic language since it was their mother tongue and they were naturally eloquent.
Similarly, they were not in need of logical sciences such as Manṭiq, etiquettes of discussion and debate, and the likes of these, which our previous scholars were forced into, due to the circumstances and challenges of the time.
And so, in light of this: There was no need for anything besides the knowledge of the Qurān and the Sunnah. And this was the task of the Prophet ﷺ, which Allāh has outlined in Sūrah an-Naḥl: 44:
لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ اِلَيْهِمْ
"…so that you may explain to people what has been revealed for them…"
For this reason, there was nothing besides the revelation and that which clarified it.
[Excerpt taken from Maʿālim al-Irshadiyyah of Shaykh Muḥammad ʿAwwāmah]
Forwarded fromSiblings Of Ilm
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