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The Ultimate Conspectus
A translation of Abū Shujā‘ah al-Aṣfahānī’s introduction to classical Islamic law. This enduring classic covers the full range of basic topics within the Shāfi‘ī school of law. It includes the full Arabic text and notes to point out where later Shāfi‘ī jurists have differed from the author, Imām al-Nawawī’s preferences, and minor clarifications and explanations.
150 pages, ebook
First published August 2, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 7, 2016
It's a introduction to Islamic law, and it fills the niche between novice texts and books like Reliance of the Traveller.
August 11, 2013
This is an excellent new translation of a classic Shafi'i Fiqh primer! It covers the entire spectrum of Islamic law according to the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence in a concise way. It also fills in the gap between very basic texts of fiqh to more intermediate works like Reliance of the Traveller.
But as with any book, the translator who is a specialist in Islamic law and is qualified to give expert legal opinions in Islamic law, makes it clear that:
"Since the earliest days of Islam, the preservation, explanation, and dissemination of religious knowledge has been the task of living human beings. Though the Qur'an, hadith, and other bodies of knowledge were recorded soon after the passing of the Prophet (salla llahu alayhi wa sallam), reliance has always been upon living human who know and practice, not inanimate pages that statically record. When Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) sent an official mushaf (compiled book of the Quran) to the various regions of Islam, each mushaf was accompanied by someone who has been assigned the responsibility to teach the masses its proper recitation and meanings. While pages can record meanings, pages cannot recite or explain what they record; pages cannot teach others to recite or explain properly, nor test, and - when needed - correct those who err or mistaken." (translator's preface, page ix)
Islamic legal manuals were never meant to be self-studied. It is important learn such texts with qualified teachers. In that way any rulings that need further clarification or explanation can be given as well as correct any mistakes that might have crept in by the translator or author.
I had the pleasure of studying the text (in its preliminary form prior to publication) under Shaykh Jamal ud-Deen Hysaw during 2011-2013.
This work is a must for students in Islamic law, in particular the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence.
But as with any book, the translator who is a specialist in Islamic law and is qualified to give expert legal opinions in Islamic law, makes it clear that:
"Since the earliest days of Islam, the preservation, explanation, and dissemination of religious knowledge has been the task of living human beings. Though the Qur'an, hadith, and other bodies of knowledge were recorded soon after the passing of the Prophet (salla llahu alayhi wa sallam), reliance has always been upon living human who know and practice, not inanimate pages that statically record. When Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) sent an official mushaf (compiled book of the Quran) to the various regions of Islam, each mushaf was accompanied by someone who has been assigned the responsibility to teach the masses its proper recitation and meanings. While pages can record meanings, pages cannot recite or explain what they record; pages cannot teach others to recite or explain properly, nor test, and - when needed - correct those who err or mistaken." (translator's preface, page ix)
Islamic legal manuals were never meant to be self-studied. It is important learn such texts with qualified teachers. In that way any rulings that need further clarification or explanation can be given as well as correct any mistakes that might have crept in by the translator or author.
I had the pleasure of studying the text (in its preliminary form prior to publication) under Shaykh Jamal ud-Deen Hysaw during 2011-2013.
This work is a must for students in Islamic law, in particular the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence.
June 5, 2022
Good mashaAllah
August 16, 2012
This book is the foundation stone of all my religious knowledge in Shafi'i fiqh. The excellent translation by Musa Furber has been instrumental in my past year of study. It is invaluable for anyone seeking to acquire true Islamic knowledge from a long heritage of traditional scholarship.
December 27, 2012
An excellent Shafi'i Fiqh primer!It covers both fiqh of worship and civic transactions. I had the pleasure of studying the text under Shaykh Jamal ud-Deen Hysaw during 2011-2012.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews