Manhaj Convergence (al-Jam'): Effort Synthesis Schools and Their Relevance in Usul Fiqh Sharia Economics (Study Application on Products Islamic Banking)

Abstract

Abstract: Differences among legal schools (ikhtilāf) in uṣūl al-fiqh are an inherent feature of Islamic legal thought arising from diverse interpretive methods, scholarly backgrounds, and socio-historical contexts. Rather than treating such diversity as a problem, Muslim jurists developed the methodology of al-jamʿ, which seeks to reconcile apparently contradictory legal evidences so that all remain operative. This study examines the epistemological foundations, methodological features, and contemporary relevance of manhaj al-jamʿ, with particular attention to its application in Islamic economics. This research employs a library-based qualitative method using descriptive–critical and comparative analysis. Primary sources consist of classical uṣūl al-fiqh texts, complemented by contemporary scholarship to contextualise modern legal and economic challenges. The findings demonstrate that al-jamʿ is grounded in the assumption of the intrinsic coherence of revelation and prioritises reconciliation over elimination, thereby preserving textual authority while accommodating legal plurality. The study further reveals that al-jamʿ has evolved into a maqāṣid-oriented and increasingly interdisciplinary framework. Its application in Islamic economicsthrough instruments such as murābaḥah, sukuk, takaful, and Sharīʿah-compliant equities illustrates how normative prohibitions against ribā, gharar, and maysir can be harmonised with modern economic needs. The study concludes that strengthening an interdisciplinary model of al-jamʿ is essential for maintaining the relevance and integrity of Islamic law in contemporary contexts.

Keywords: Al-Jam', Convergence Method, Maqasid Al-Shariah, Islamic Economics, Islamic Banking.