A Semantic Representational Framework for Islamic Legal Ruling (Fatwa)

Abstract

An internet user, in general, searches through keyword-based system. Searching through different search locomotives has now become easy and interesting with the advancement of Semantic Web in computer science. Well-defined ontologies forming the base of Semantic Web have become highly valuable in the fields of Education, Legislation, Medication, Publication and a variety of other fields. For the utilization of this advancement and in order to validate knowledge, the Semantic Computation could prove helpful in un-wrapping and presenting authentic legal documents, known as Islamic Legal Rulings (Fatawa). This thesis brings the verdicts and consensus of Islamic specialized scholars (Muftis) to the fingertips of the user. To resolve any issue through Fatawa is surely not an easy job. The collection of Fatawa spanning over fourteen centuries is massive. In the light of these observations the application of Semantic Computing as a means for searching and receiving a Fatwa gives precise result compared to the keyword based searching. This thesis proposes a model framework based on Ontology for queries related to the sophisticated as well as diversified aspects of the Fatawa. When many scholars submit their rulings to an inquirer, the result is too many diversified rulings of the same problem. So if a user is not satisfied with the one that negates his personal point of view, he approaches one scholar after the other for the verdict of his liking till he is satisfied. In order to resolve the issue and to synchronize the different scholars’ opinion the concept of ontology publisher i.e. Head Scholar is introduced in the proposed novel model framework. The architecture is also explained briefly. The Head Scholar as an ontology publisher and all the panelist Muftis will review as per their domain of specialization but that will not be submitted directly to the user, it will be submitted to the higher authorities for final verdict i.e. ontology publisher by Head Scholar. After the comments and revision by all the concerned panelists the final ruling will now be endorsed by the respective specialized group Head Scholar. So the main final authentic Legal Ruling will be submitted to the user as per the user’s school of thought. The algorithm for the said novel model framework is then developed and was tested on around 500 Fatawa. All were semantically recognized correctly and the information thus available was precise, exact and accurate. The algorithm developed was computationally effective for precise and correct information as per the user’s requirements and reduces around 50% of searching time in comparison with keyword based results.