This is a Level Two course in the Islamic Studies Curriculum. This course is based on the renowned text Matn Abu Shuja.
This course serves to provide a proper understanding of the Islamic rulings of public law according to the Shafi‘i school. Topics covered include the rulings of public law as well as the impact these rulings have and the wisdom behind them. They cover the issues of crime and punishment, the permissible and impermissible, court procedures, witnesses, oaths, the mercy of the Sacred Law, and more.
The purpose of the sacred law is to preserve the life, wealth, intellect, property, and honor of each individual. How does the Islamic legal code achieve that? How do the laws of Qisas (retaliation), and Hudud (punishments for contravention of limits) serve to give life to the community? These Islamic punishments cannot be applied by vigilante justice. There is immense wisdom in Islamic legal practices, and there are many strict requirements that must be fulfilled before the laws are applied.
This course is ideal for students of Islamic knowledge. A previous study of Islamic law is recommended.
This course is an explanation of Matn Abi Shuja’, written by the learned and pious Shafi‘i scholar from Basra, Ahmad ibn al Hussein al-Asfahani (d. 500’s AH / 1100’s CE), more famously known as Abu Shuja‘. His Matn Abi Shuja‘, a short introduction to the Shafi‘i school of sacred law, is one of the most blessed textbooks of the school–although it was written almost a millennium ago, it remains an integral part of Shafi‘i fiqh curricula all over the world and has been the subject of dozens of commentaries and super-commentaries ever since it was written all the way down to the present age.
- This course is for adults.
- It is particularly beneficial for students of sacred law.
- It is a Level Two course. In order to successfully complete this course, students should take On Worship (Purification, Prayer, Fasting, Zakat, and Hajj): Ba Fadl's The Short Abridgement.
- This course can also be taken by anyone who is interested in learning more about the rulings of public law past the basic level in the Shafi‘i school.
- Understand how Islam joins between the spirit and the letter of the Sacred Law.
- Learn how Islam promotes law and order.
- Understand how flexible Sharia law can be.
- Learn what valid oaths and vows are.
- Understand how Islamic law fits into the current political climate.
