RULE OF FAITH

The Muḥammadan rule of faith is based upon what are called the four foundations of orthodoxy, namely, the Qurʾān , or, as it is called, Kalāmu ʾllāh , “the Word of God; the Ḥadīs̤ (pl. Aḥādīs̤ ), or the traditions of the sayings and practice of Muḥammad; Ijmāʿ , or the consent of the Mujtahidūn, or learned doctors; and Qiyās , or the analogical reasoning of the learned. In studying the Muḥammadan religious system, it must be well understood that Islām is not simply the religion of the Qurʾān, but that all Muḥammadans, whether Sunnī, Shīʿah, or Wahhābī, receive the Traditions as an authority in matters of faith and practice. The Sunnī Muḥammadans arrogate to themselves the title of traditionists; but the Shīʿahs also receive the Ḥadīs̤ as binding upon them, although they do not acknowledge the same collection of traditions as those received by their opponents. [ QURʾAN , TRADITIONS , IJMAʿ , QIYAS , RELIGION , ISLAM .]