Diverging Paths: Transoxanian and Irāqī Approaches to Takhṣīṣ al‑ʿilla in the Hanafī Legal Theory
Abstract
This study delves into the intricate problem of takhṣīṣ al‑ʿilla (the specification of the rationale) in Islamic legal theory, with particular focus on the Hanafī school. It explores how this issue reflects broader relationship between theology (kalām) and Islamic legal theory (uṣūl al-fiqh), revealing the interplay of theological concerns in shaping theoretical principles. The problem is analyzed through the lens of the two major Hanafī schools: the Irāqī and Transoxanian Hanafīs. By examining the evolving discourse among Hanafī jurists in Irāq and Transoxiana, this research elucidates the influence of regional theological differences on legal theories. The work traces the historical development of takhṣīṣ al‑ʿilla, highlighting key figures, such as al-Jaṣṣāṣ, al-Dabūsī, al-Sarakhsī, and al-Bazdawī and their respective contributions to its interpretation. It situates the debate within the broader intellectual contest between Muʿtazilite and Sunnī theological frameworks, offering insights into the doctrinal and methodological diversity within the Hanafī tradition. The findings reveal how theological concerns informed theoretical principles and contributed to the divergence between these two prominent Hanafī traditions.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Islamic Law
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
February 24, 2026
Submission Date
July 5, 2025
Acceptance Date
November 25, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: 55