AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF ABROGATION (NASKH) IN ISLAMIC LAW

AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF ABROGATION (NASKH) IN ISLAMIC LAW

Abstract: 

Abrogation is generally aimed at bringing about what will be of general good to mankind. In abrogation, an existing legal ruling is replaced with another better or similar ruling. However, there have been efforts by some modernists such as Abdullahi Saeed to reinterpret some texts of the Qur’an under the guise of abrogation. This in itself represents an attempt to render some provisions of Islamic Law obsolete and or impotent. This research work therefore examines in details the extent to which abrogation is allowed in Islamic Law and whether or not abrogation can be an ongoing process? At the end of it was found that abrogation can only be applicable within the context of Qur’an and Sunnah and that abrogation cannot be an ongoing process. The research work gave recommendations which include reference to the understanding of Companions of the Prophet (S.AW) in interpreting the texts of the Qur’an. The provisions of Islamic Law are adequate enough to address societal needs at all times without necessarily reinterpreting some texts the Qur’an

AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF ABROGATION (NASKH) IN ISLAMIC LAW