وائل حلاق کا قرآنی قانون سازی پر مطالعہ

A Study of Wāel Hallaq on Quranic Legislation

Abstract

In the modern era of intellectual evolution and legal expansion, Islamic law has increasingly garnered scholarly attention, particularly its foundational relationship with the Qur’an. Orientalists have often critiqued the Qur’an's legal role, questioning the coherence, compilation, and legislative nature of its verses. Wāel Ḥallāq emerges as a prominent contemporary voice countering both traditional Muslim narratives and Western academic critiques. He proposes a "third way" of understanding Islamic law—one that respects the Qur’anic textual sanctity while applying critical scholarly inquiry.

Ḥallāq asserts that the Qur’an was considered a source of law even during the early Meccan period, challenging the Orientalist claim that its legal function developed only after Hijra. While acknowledging that the Qur’an contains a relatively limited number of strictly legal verses (approximately 500), he emphasizes that its broader ethical and societal directives carry significant legal implications. His study highlights that Qur’anic legislation was inherently intertwined with evolving social realities, aiming for a balanced, principled transformation rather than abrupt structural disruption.

This paper critically examines how Ḥallāq addresses misconceptions about Qur’anic legislation, especially in comparison to Orientalist narratives, and explores the methodological framework of his "third way." It further analyzes the Qur’an’s legal verses across domains such as inheritance, contracts, marriage, punishment, and governance—demonstrating that Islamic law is deeply rooted in divine revelation while remaining flexible to contextual interpretation. Ultimately, Ḥallāq’s contribution affirms the Qur’an as both a moral and legal guide, transcending simplistic dichotomies.