Qalbun Faqih: An Initial Review with Experts

Abstract

The Qur’an mentions that the place to carry out intellectual processes such as understanding, thinking, reasoning and reflecting (faculty of intellection) is in the qalb (heart). Although there are other tools for attaining knowledge such as hearing and sight, the qalb is placed as the main tool for thinking in order to obtain truth. Further, the Qur'an states that the ululalbab (intellectuals) are those who use the qalb as a tool to understand. There are six verses identified using the word qalb which are associated with the thinking process. Meanwhile, the words that mean thinking that accompanied the word qalb are faqaha, yafqahu, faqih. Based on this description, the qalb is seen as a place to carry out the process of faqaha. From that, how do scholars view the word faqaha as a process of understanding? If the two terms, qalbun and faqih, are combined, how do experts view the concept of qalbun faqih. This paper analyses the views of scholars on the word faqaha as a process of understanding by using the content analysis method of some literature. Next, a roundtable discussion was held with four experts in the field of Shariah about the concept of qalbun faqih. This paper found six main elements are present in the faqaha process using qalb. Finally, the paper obtained confirmation on the concept of qalbun faqih from the four experts from the field of Shariah.