Gagasan Mahmud Muhammad Taha tentang evolusi syariah

This article discusses the thought of Mahmud Muhammad Taha in methodology of istinbat or legal interpretation in Islamic law which emphasizes on the egalitarian values of Islamic law. In his interpretation, he uses the naskh or brogation method, a method used by pioneering Islamic jurists to find solution for conflicting Qur’anic verses. It is employed by applying the relevant verses revealed latter and postponing the application of other irrelevant verses. However, Mahmud Muhammad Taha convinces that the abrogation method he has proposed is an enabling method for the evolution of Islamic law. It is basically a flexible interpretation of the text that allows movement from one Qur’anic text to another on the basis of relevance. As a result, the application of certain Qur’anic text and ‎abandonment of another is temporary and not conclusive. On other occasion, the abandoned text can be applied whenever it becomes relevant. This study is based on egalitarian values of Islamic law which has been proposed by Taha. He asserts that currently shari’ah or Islamic law is seen as discriminative and incapable of fulfilling the true mission of Islam which is just, prosperous welfare and compassionate