Religious Studies A-Level
The Hierarchy of Authority
What The Hierarchy of Authority means in Religious Studies A-Level, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.
Definition of The Hierarchy of Authority
The systematic prioritization of sources in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), where the Qur'an holds absolute primacy, followed by the Sunnah, and subsequently the consensus (Ijma) and analogy (Qiyas).
Topics that use The Hierarchy of Authority
- Islam – Sources of wisdom and authority: The life and work of the Prophet Muhammad, the Hadith and Sunnah, and the Qur'an (Pearson Edexcel A-Level)
Related terms
- Divine Revelation and the Qur'an
- Prophetic Exemplar (Uswa Hasana)
- Hadith
- Halal
- Haram
- Hijrah
- Shari'ah
- Sunnah
Using The Hierarchy of Authority in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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