The Understanding of Wasl Al-Fiqh Bi Al-Hadith at Traditional Dayah Aceh

Abstract

Wasl al-Fiqh bi al-Hadith integrates jurisprudence and hadith so that it enables fiqh experts to rely on hadith in formulating their rulings while hadith experts can derive a more accurate interpretation. Among others, this concept is applied at Aceh traditional dayah as the oldest Islamic educational institution in the Malay Archipelago which Acehness put their respect as the reference in Islamic rulings and teaching. This field study took place at Dayah Mudi Mesra, Samalanga, Aceh, due to its long-established reputation and great influence among Acehnese. The study aims to shed some light on the concept of wasl al-Fiqh bi al-Hadith according to some Islamic scholars, analyze the concept as perceived by the traditional Dayah of Aceh, and portray the polemic on Friday prayer ritual as prescribed by the traditional Dayah. The study employs qualitative data collection instruments consisting of library data, interviews, observations, and documentation. Inductive, deductive, and comparative methods were used for data analysis. The study found that implementation of this concept at the Dayah has been synonymous with the exclusive adoption of Shafi’i school as it heavily relies on several Shafi’i books or opinions of Shafi’i scholars as primary references.