Maliki jurisprudence – jurisprudence of the Quran and Sunnah

The Sheikh Al-Taher Al-Zawi Center for Studies, Research, and Heritage Preservation, in cooperation with the College of Islamic Call at the Islamic Call Society in Tripoli, organized the First International Jurisprudence Conference entitled: “Maliki Jurisprudence – Jurisprudence of the Quran and Sunnah,” under the slogan: “Preserving Religious Identity: A National Pillar,” on February 2, 2020, at the Radisson Blu Al Mahary Hotel in Tripoli.

The conference was held to contribute to addressing an internal need in Libya. It is well-known, evident, and tangible that the last five decades our country has endured, marked by crises affecting the social, economic, political, and cultural conditions of the nation, have impacted religious discourse emanating from official and unofficial bodies, as well as individuals. This is due to the neglect of religious education at all levels and the underestimation of its importance. As a result, people have become confused in understanding and applying the rulings of their religion, and conflict has emerged, driven by currents with varying dimensions characterized by extremism and fanaticism, or excess and negligence. This has led to a lack of coordination and interaction among the institutions responsible for overseeing religious affairs.

Among the manifestations of this confusion are: a deficiency in understanding the Maliki school of thought, its being criticized as being inconsistent with evidence, and its being labeled a school of abbreviations and subsidiary rulings. This has even led to the audacity of belittling its imams and calling for its rejection and replacement—falsely and slanderously—with the school of the Quran and Sunnah.

Therefore, the Sheikh Tahir al-Zawi Center for Studies, Research, and Heritage Preservation, in cooperation with the College of Islamic Call, decided to hold this first international jurisprudential conference.