The Reconciliation of the Fundamentals of the Islamic Law - Volume 2 - Al Muwafaqat fi Usul al Shari’a

<p>First published in 1884 in Tunis The Reconciliation of the Fundamentals of Islamic Law (or <b><i>al-Muwafaqat fi Usul Al-Sharai'a</i></b>) written by <b>Ibrahim ibn Musa Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi</b> was an innovation in Islamic jurisprudence. It was the first book to address the <b>objectives </b>of the <i>shari'a</i>. The difficulty that some may find in comprehending some of its parts may be attributed to the fact that it was the first time that the codification of the <i>maqasid </i>or <i>objectives </i>of the <i>shari'a </i>was undertaken.</p><p>The book has been a source of <u>inspiration</u> <u>moderation</u> and <u>renewal </u>in <i>fiqh</i>. However it deals with much more than the <i>maqasid</i> and substantial research is needed to unravel its full contribution.</p><p><b>The Author described the contents of his book as follows:</b><u> </u><i>When the concealed secrets began to be revealed...I started collecting their unique meanings...I did this to the extent of my ability and strength while elaborating the purposes of the Book (Qur'an) and the Sunna...organizing these precious gems and gathering these benefits into meanings that have re-course to the principles helping in their comprehension and attachment and I merged them with the interpretation of principles of fiqh and organized them on a shining and radiant string. The resulting book is divided into in five parts: the fundamental concepts of the discipline; the ahkam (rules) and what is related to them; the legal purposes of the shari'a and the ahkam related to them; the comprehensive treatment of the adilla (evidences); and the rules of ijtihad and taqlid. </i></p><p><i>This current Volume I - now available in paperback - covers the first two parts described above by the author</i></p>