The Leadership Role of the Ulama

The Leadership Role of the Ulama interpretation.” Lisan al-Arab quotes this saying of alAzhari, “A person from the tribe of Kilab explained something to me. When he had finished speaking, he asked, “Have you understood (faqahta)?” (Lisan alArab, Vol. 13, p. 522) However, another anecdote is mentioned in Lisan alArab to clarify the meaning of fiqh further. Salman says that he stayed as a guest at the house of a Nabati lady in Iraq. He asked her, “Is there a clean space where I can offer my prayers?” She replied, “Clean your heart and pray wherever you like.” Salman then said to himself: “She understood (faqahat) the truth.” (Lisan al-Arab, Vol. 13, p. 522) We learn from this elucidation of the lexicographers that the meaning of fiqh is understanding, comprehension and insight. That is, arriving at a deeper meaning of a matter. A religious scholar is not someone who merely possesses technical or formal knowledge about religious issues. A religious scholar has expert knowledge of religious matters and a deep insight into religion. Now let us discuss the above verse of the Quran (9:122). We learn from Quranic exegesis the background or