Customer Reviews

Imam Al-Shatibi's Theory of the Higher Objectives and Intents of Islamic Law

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I think the first thing to know about this book is it's a book translated from Arabic to English. Secondly, the book is NOT meant to be taken as an overview of Imam Shatibi's ideas for laymen but more of book for academia. A professor in university setting I'm sure could use this book as textbook for a school year on Imam Shatibi's ideas.

To understand Imam Shatibi's ideas as a non-academic I highly suggest you NOT purchase this book and purchase other books on subject. I haven't read other books on Shatibi's ideas but they can't be any worst then this book. The information is indeed solid but not easily digestible. Like the title to my review states...Verbiage.

Another thing to add about this book is it's just as much about the author Dr. Raysouni's ideas ABOUT Shatibi than the Imam's ideas. Until the last chapter does the author actually present the Imam's ideas in more easily read (and understandable) format. He mostly deals with concepts taken from the Imam based upon certain questions the Imam asked of other scholars of his time.

However, two facts that the author mentions that may not be in other works are:

The five essentials (ad Daruriyyat al Khamsah) were first classified by Imam Juwayni and carried on by his student Imam Ghazzali before reaching Imam Shatibi's time

and The Maliki Madhhaab is actually more the school of Umar ibn Al Khattab than Imam Malik. As Imam Malik didn't invent or deviate from the establish practice of scholars of his time or those before him.

The author's explanation of these two facts alone make my purchase of book not a totally loss. Even though the book wasn't what I thought it turned out to be.

It covers excellent topics on sharia. It needs more research on it. It should be more structured and well published. I expect more scholar will come forward and contribute on this subjects.