The missing link in uşul al-fiqh history: Opinions about usul in 3rd and 4th centuries of the hegira

After Risala, the first work of Shafi'i (death 204) received about usûl topics, a gap is observed about experienced developments in the field of usûl. Our aim in this study is to shed light a little bit on this period called "the missed link" or "dark period". The reason why this period is called dark or missing is that we haven't received written works concerning the period. We handled gradual developments experienced in the period of Shafi'i and the following two centuries. In our study, we have tried to determine the developmental line about usûl discipline between III. and IV. centuries. We have followed a three step way to carry out this: In the first step of our study, we have tried to introduce the literature about usûl concerning the period. In the second step of our study, we have compared Shafi'i's Risala and Jassas' (death 370) Fusûl to determine the level of conceptual gradual development between two periods. In the main and final step of our study, we have examined methodologists' ideas of the period in a detailed way focusing on the systematics of usûl works. In this chapter, we have grounded on especially Bahru'l-Muhît, the work of Zerkşî (death 794) written in a chronological and encyclopedic style. Key Words Shafi'i, Risala, Jassas, Fusûl, Codification (Tedvîn), Usûl, III-IV. Centuries