Islamic Fiqh Academy (IFA) of India is a Deobandi fiqh organization. It was established in 1988 in
New Delhi
New Delhi (, , ''Naī Dillī'') is the capital of India and a part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament Ho ...
under the guidance of Mujahidul Islam Qasmi. The primary objective of the academy is to address contemporary issues and challenges faced by Muslims in light of the principles and methodology of Islamic jurisprudence, as derived from the
Quran
The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , s ...
, Sunnah (teachings and practices of Muhammad), and the interpretations of classical jurists and scholars. The IFA aims to find solutions to problems arising from social, political, economic, industrial, and technological developments through collective efforts and research. It organizes seminars, symposiums, and conferences, and prepares literature to address new issues and challenges faced by Muslims in the modern world. The academy focuses on promoting the principles of fiqh and Islamic ethics, while also fostering dialogue and cooperation with other academic and fiqh institutions worldwide.
The IFA has gained recognition both within India and internationally. It has established collaborative relationships with research organizations, educational centers, and departments of Law and Islamic studies at various universities, particularly in the
Arab world
The Arab world ( ar, اَلْعَالَمُ الْعَرَبِيُّ '), formally the Arab homeland ( '), also known as the Arab nation ( '), the Arabsphere, or the Arab states, refers to a vast group of countries, mainly located in Western A ...
. The academy also maintains strong ties with other renowned fiqh academies globally, aiming to efficiently identify and analyze problems faced by Muslim communities and find appropriate solutions.
Activities
The activities of the IFA can be broadly categorized into three areas: organizing fiqhi seminars, conducting training workshops, and preparing and publishing fiqhi literature. Through these endeavors, the Islamic Fiqh Academy of India plays a significant role in addressing contemporary issues and providing guidance on matters related to Islamic jurisprudence and ethics.
Services
It has issued statements on aspects of Islamic religious observance such as medical treatment during the Ramadan fast, and on
sex education
Sex education, also known as sexual education, sexuality education or sex ed, is the instruction of issues relating to human sexuality, including emotional relations and responsibilities, human sexual anatomy, sexual activity, sexual reproduc ...
organ donation
Organ donation is the process when a person allows an organ of their own to be removed and transplanted to another person, legally, either by consent while the donor is alive or dead with the assent of the next of kin.
Donation may be for re ...
., pages 18, 21. It has issued a number of published works, including an
Urdu
Urdu (;"Urdu" '' Encyclopedia of Islamic Jurisprudence''. The Academy has been described as "the most recent and, in many ways, the most sophisticated articulation so far of claims to institutionalized Islamic authority in India".
Membership
The membership includes a large number of young graduates (''Fazils'') from ''
madrasa
Madrasa (, also , ; Arabic: مدرسة , pl. , ) is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary instruction or higher learning. The word is variously transliterated '' ...
Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama
Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama (translated as, House of Knowledge and Assembly of Scholars University) is an Islamic seminary in Lucknow, India. It was established by the Nadwatul Ulama, a council of Muslim scholars, on 26 September 1898.
This edu ...
and
Firangi Mahal
Firangi Mahal is a building complex located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located in Lucknow at Victoria Road and Chowk. The word Firang (originally referring to Franks) refers to Europeans and '' Mahal'' means palace in Persian. T ...
in
Lucknow
Lucknow (, ) is the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and it is also the second largest urban agglomeration in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous district and division ...
. The academy coordinates with other academic and Fiqh institutions in the Middle East and in countries and areas with a significant Muslim minority population, such as the USA and Europe.