The Role of Substantive Understanding Approach in the Changes of Fiqh. This
study aims to offer an approach in changing fiqh to stay in line with the demands of the
texts and, at the same time, to create benefits for Muslims in their lives. This research is
entirely library research whose data sources are obtained from several sources, including
the Tārīkh Tasyrī written by Khudari Bek, Tārīkh al-Mazāhib al-Islāmiyyah fī Tārīkh of al-
Mazāhib al-Fiqhiyyah written by Abu Zahrah, and al-Ittihād al-Fiqhiyyah ‘inda Ashāb al-
Hadīs fī al-Qarni al-Tsālits al-Hijri by Abd al-Majid Mahmud Abd al-Majid, and several
other sources relevant to the topic studied. The analysis technique used is content analysis,
which is the only technique used in analyzing the information process. This research
finds the fact that fiqh changes are a necessity to respond the social development as well
as to create benefit for society. Efforts to change fiqh can be done by using a substantive
understanding of the syara’ texts which are the basis and source of change. It is in these
aspects does appear the importance of the role of substantive understanding in the process of
legal changes, as a solution in responding to the current and future development of society.
Keywords: Substantive Understanding, Fiqh Changes.