Methodology of istiḥsān : meaning and definintion ; historical perspective ; istiḥsān, maṣlahạh and custom ; types of istiḥsān ; proof (ḥujjiyyah) of istiḥsān ; the argument against istiḥsān ; istiḥsān and particularisation (takhṣīṣ) ; a review of the methodology of iistiḥsān -- Contemporary applications : the issue of qabḍ (taking possession) ; issues pertaining to awqāf (charitable endowments) ; issues in Islamic banking ; the issue of unclaimed assets.