fiqh

Fiqh (; ) is the term for Islamic jurisprudence. Fiqh is often described as the style of human understanding, research and practices of the sharia; that is, human understanding of the divine Islamic law as revealed in the Quran as well as the sunnah (the teachings and practices of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his companions). Fiqh expands and develops sharia through interpretation (ijtihad) of the Quran and sunnah by Islamic jurists (ulama) and is implemented by the rulings (fatwa) of jurists on questions presented to them. Thus, whereas sharia is considered immutable and infallible by Muslims, fiqh is considered fallible and changeable.

Fiqh deals with the observance of rituals, morals and social legislation in Islam as well as economic and political system. In the modern era, there are four prominent schools (''madh'hab) of fiqh'' within Sunni practice, plus two (or three) within Shi'a practice. A person trained in fiqh is known as a faqīh (pl. fuqaha).