What is the opinion of the majority of scholars regarding the most superior of the Islamic sciences and the most superior of scholars, and does that differ with the variation of the science (such as Tafsir, Aqidah, Fiqh, Hadith)?
The majority of scholars hold the view that the best of sciences, after knowing the foundation of religion and the science of certainty, is the knowledge of jurisprudence (fiqh) and the rulings that distinguish between lawful (halal) and unlawful (haram). The science of the principles of religion (Usul al-Din) is considered the noblest of sciences due to the nobility of what is known, which is the greater jurisprudence (al-fiqh al-akbar), for there is no life or bliss for hearts except by knowing their Lord through His names, attributes, and actions. The issues of each science vary in importance, and what relates to an individual obligation (fard ayn) is superior to what relates to a communal obligation (fard kifaya). The sciences of the Quran and Sunnah (exegesis and hadith) are the foundation upon which the rest of the sciences are built, for the science of monotheism (tawhid) and jurisprudence are inseparable from studying the Book and the Sunnah.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/112042