Shariah Intelligence involves deep understanding of the Holy Qur’an, Hadiths (the practices of the Holy Prophet of Islam), con­sensus by scholars, and application of reasoning used to derive rulings based on existing principles.

The workshop was organised by S.A.I.D Academy, an Islamic school committed to excellence in English and Arabic education and the office of the Kpone Kataman­so Metropolitan Chief Imam, at “Switzerland” in the metropolis, to empower the Islamic scholars and Imams to respect diversity of opinions when they differ on a particular issue.

Speaking to The Ghanaian Times last Saturday about the workshop, the Executive Director of S.A.I.D Academy, Imam Sa-id Mukhtar Abubakar, said the Shariah Intel­ligence workshop was the first in the series of modules the Acade­my and partners were rolling out to equip the Imams and scholars with the tools and mechanisms to decipher issues of controversy and complications “affecting our health, our education, our society, our community, the world as a whole, that’s is novel, we cannot find directly from the scriptures in the Qu’ran or in the Hadiths.”

“There are the main sources of Islamic teaching like the Qu’ran, Hadiths (sunnah), Ijma and Qiyas. But there are also what is known as the Kawa’ids, the maxims.”

“There are tools and mecha­nisms use to tackle issues when differences are there in opinion, theologically as well as in practical sense. These maxims are extrap­olated from the meanings of the Holy Quran, formulated by jurists, scholars who understand the Qu­ran and Hadiths.

So, they made it in the form of statement and like proverbs which are easily for you and I and any other lay person to understand. For instance, there is the maxim that says, all actions are judged by intentions, it is not in the Quran, it is a maxim, so, if you intend to do bad, Allah will judge you based on that,” he added.

The Kpone Katamanso Metro­politan Chief Imam, Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, told the participants that the “thought-provoking Sharia Intelligence course is a reflection of our collective desire to strength­en our knowledge, refine our leadership and renew our commit­ment to serve our communities as spiritual guide and torchbearers of truth.”

“The workshop will offer valu­able insights and tools to deepen our understanding and enhance our roles as Imam and scholars,” he added.

Some of the topics discussed and facilitated by a team of scholars included the evolution of Usool al-fiqh, primary sources of evidence, secondary sources: Ijma, Qiyas,Ra’I Al –Suhabi, Urf and Aadat. Safety net principle and comparing schools of ijtihad, understanding the Sunnah and Qawaaidul Fiqhiyyah and what to do when scholars differ.