A quest for an Islamic jurisprudence in finding solutions for the problems faced by contemporary minority Muslims of Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study seeks to explore some of the main problems encountered by contemporary Sri Lankan Muslims from the perspective of coexistence. In doing so, it mainly aims to shed light on to the extent what problems the Sri Lankan Muslims face and what impact they might have on their religious identity, relationships, belongings, and the contribution towards the nation at large. This research explains the major objectives, methodology and secondary data collection. Further, the study will strive to examine whether Sri Lankan Muslim scholars need to deal with contemporary issues and seek to suggest a jurisprudential approach called Fiqh al-Aqalliyyāt, which is a special law for Muslims who live as a minority in a territory of the people of different faiths. Using a jurisprudential approach, internal social bonds and a healthy political engagement could be enhanced within the general public. Therefore, it concludes by arguing for the potential and enriching possibilities, that Sri Lankan Muslims need a special new legal discipline to address their unique religious requirements, which differ from the Muslims reside in Islamic countries. A modern interpretation is a major demand of the Sri Lankan Muslim community, since the classical rules or interpretations do not find answers to modern day problems; whereas the classical schools did it as per to the demands of their time.