Fiqh Sebagai Istilah Linguistik dan Disiplin Ilmu: Tinjauan Bahasa Dan Epistemologi Islam

Abstract

Fiqh, etymologically derived from the Arabic root fa–qa–ha, meaning “deep understanding,” is one of the key terms in Islamic scholarship. From a linguistic perspective, the meaning of fiqh has evolved from a general sense of comprehension to a more specific sense as “the science of Islamic legal rulings.” This article aims to examine fiqh as both a linguistic term and an academic discipline through the lens of language and Islamic epistemology. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach, the study analyzes the semantics of the root word fa–qa–ha in the Qur’an and traces the historical development of the term fiqh within the intellectual tradition of Islam. The findings reveal that, linguistically, fiqh embodies multiple dimensions of meaning, including cognitive (understanding), spiritual (faith awareness), and normative (legal application) aspects. Epistemologically, fiqh developed into a structured discipline through processes of ijtihad, codification, and the formation of schools of law. Thus, the term fiqh represents the integration of language, reason, and revelation as the foundation of a dynamic and contextual Islamic epistemology.