faqih

Faqih (Arabic: فقيه) is a term used in Islamic legal scholarship to denote a scholar of fiqh, Islamic jurisprudence. The word stems from the Arabic root f-q-h, meaning understanding. A faqih is someone trained to interpret the sources of law—primarily the Qur'an and the Sunnah—and to derive rulings through juristic methods known as usul al-fiqh. A faqih may also issue fatwas and teach or adjudicate within a Muslim community.

In Sunni Islam, fuqaha are the jurists who formulate fiqh within the historical madhhabs (schools of law) and who may serve as muftis, judges, or teachers. Classical jurists such as the founders of the main madhhabs are regarded as leading fuqaha. In Shia Islam, especially within the Usuli tradition, fuqaha are central to legal interpretation, with qualified jurists claiming authority to guide religious life and, in some contexts, to exercise political governance.

In modern usage, the term is broadly applied to scholars of Islamic law across both Sunni and Shia communities. The exact role of a faqih varies by country and tradition, from religious leadership and fatwa issuance to judicial and educational positions. Training typically involves extensive study of fiqh, usul al-fiqh, Qur’anic exegesis, hadith, theology, and related disciplines.