The NGT Methodological Approach in Designing the 21st Century Manhaj for the Study of Turāth Fiqh Shafi’i Texts: An Effort to Produce Mutafaqqih Individuals

The study methodology (manhaj) of the classical Shāfiʿī fiqh texts developed by earlier scholars has proven effective in producing prominent Islamic scholars, such as muftis and qāḍīs, who have served as primary references in contemporary legal matters. However, the manhaj approach is formed based on the needs and context of the society of their time, which is different from the challenges of the 21st century today. This study aims to develop and renew the manhaj of the study of the book of turath fiqh shafi’i to be more relevant to the current generation by considering the level of students’ intellectual ability and memory as well as current technological developments. This paper applies the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) technique including five fiqh and usul fiqh specialists. The findings of the research point out four key components in the development of the 21st Century Turāth Fiqh Shafi’i Book research Manhaj: al-Marḥalah al-Tamhīdiyyah, al-Marḥalah al-Ibtidā’iyyah, al-Marḥalah al-Mutawassiṭah, and al-Marḥalah al-Nihā’iyyah. Each component contains 14, 14, 17 and 16 elements, respectively. The entire proposed components and elements have achieved a high level of usability, with an average expert rating of over 70%. This study contributes significantly to Islamic education reform efforts that are more systematic and in line with the learning needs of the 21st century, with the main goal of producing at least individuals who are mutafaqqih in the fiqh of the Shafi’i madhhab.