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A Treasury of Sacred Maxims: A Commentary on Islamic Legal Principles
This beautiful collection discusses the legal and moral implications of some fundamental Islamic principles. With an emphasis upon concision and concentration of meaning each aphorism, and its accompanying commentary, is full of value and significance. Dr. Shahrul Hussain is Lecturer in Islamic Studies at Markfield Institute of Higher Education, United Kingdom. He studied classical Islamic studies and Arabic before attending the University of Al-Azhar, Cairo, Egypt, where he graduated from the Faculty of Islamic Jurisprudence and Law in 2001. In 2010 he completed his PhD at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published April 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 31, 2016
[3.5]
I was send and asked to review this book by Kube Publishing which I was very excited about, so thank you!
It's outlined in the 'introduction' of this book that the aim for the author “…is to give the reader a flavour of the significance and importance of juristic maxims and the role of juristic maxims played in Islamic legal thought.”
The introduction gives a brief overview about what the book aims to teach and gives a great explanation of what juristic maxims means.
My main aim was to see whether it would provide some clarity and basic explanation to those that aren't too familiar with Islamic legal principles, such as myself.
It follows the same standard that is used by most Islamic books, I believe. A point is made, it is backed up by evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah, then explained in some more detail where each maxim mentioned is made relatable to the reader. I really appreciated that aspect and it made the book a lot more accessible.
I found that it was very simplified and easy to understand without having to go into too much detail on scholarly debates and different points of views that may exist. It nipped it in the bud.
Even when the maxims were perhaps relating to law, finance, contracts etc, I appreciated how the author included what spiritual benefit the reader can gain from such maxims.
I'd like to state that to not go into this book expecting answers to questions pertaining to legal matters. That's not the purpose of it, though some common questions are used as an example, then answered.
It would've been nice to see how each maxim came into being, but this could have been slightly overwhelming. However, it pushes you to want to find out more, which is great.
I was send and asked to review this book by Kube Publishing which I was very excited about, so thank you!
It's outlined in the 'introduction' of this book that the aim for the author “…is to give the reader a flavour of the significance and importance of juristic maxims and the role of juristic maxims played in Islamic legal thought.”
The introduction gives a brief overview about what the book aims to teach and gives a great explanation of what juristic maxims means.
My main aim was to see whether it would provide some clarity and basic explanation to those that aren't too familiar with Islamic legal principles, such as myself.
It follows the same standard that is used by most Islamic books, I believe. A point is made, it is backed up by evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah, then explained in some more detail where each maxim mentioned is made relatable to the reader. I really appreciated that aspect and it made the book a lot more accessible.
I found that it was very simplified and easy to understand without having to go into too much detail on scholarly debates and different points of views that may exist. It nipped it in the bud.
Even when the maxims were perhaps relating to law, finance, contracts etc, I appreciated how the author included what spiritual benefit the reader can gain from such maxims.
I'd like to state that to not go into this book expecting answers to questions pertaining to legal matters. That's not the purpose of it, though some common questions are used as an example, then answered.
It would've been nice to see how each maxim came into being, but this could have been slightly overwhelming. However, it pushes you to want to find out more, which is great.
October 14, 2019
An excellent summary of 40 important Fiqh maxims. WOuld make an excellent textbook for a short course on the topic.
January 11, 2017
A pretty little book which covers and explains various common Maxims used by scholars. I am no expert in Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh) however this book helped me to understand the legal aspects of Islam, backed up by a concise commentary using verses from the Qur'an and Hadith.
I felt it would have been nice to have a further reading section, so I had more recommended titles to go through to further my understanding.
I felt it would have been nice to have a further reading section, so I had more recommended titles to go through to further my understanding.
December 26, 2024
As a lay-muslim who's not in any way had formal training in the islamic sciences, this book provides a thought-provoking and interest-piquing overview of the qawaa'id of the four major schools of jurisprudence in islam.
Obviously you won't be able to drop fatwas after reading this but in my observation the maxims can definitely be used in our day-to-day life. From a practical point of view, you won't feel like you're punching in the dark when it comes to making decisions, however small they may be.
Obviously you won't be able to drop fatwas after reading this but in my observation the maxims can definitely be used in our day-to-day life. From a practical point of view, you won't feel like you're punching in the dark when it comes to making decisions, however small they may be.
January 21, 2017
Also asked to review this book by Kube Publishing - thank you for sending!
First of all, it's a nice little hardcover book, easily portable and aesthetically pleasing.
I've never read anything like this before but Mr. Hussain does a nice job outlining his book in the very beginning with an introduction to everything. He explains what he will cover regarding each maxim: 1) the intellectual coinage 2) the legal justification & 3) the moral philosophy. It is a fairly quick and relatively easy read which gives you a good starting point for determining your interest and allowing you the opportunity to find another, more in depth, read if you so choose. Personally, I am not looking to become an expert and will not likely pursue anything further at this point, but it was nice to get an overview for future reference and conversation on the topic.
First of all, it's a nice little hardcover book, easily portable and aesthetically pleasing.
I've never read anything like this before but Mr. Hussain does a nice job outlining his book in the very beginning with an introduction to everything. He explains what he will cover regarding each maxim: 1) the intellectual coinage 2) the legal justification & 3) the moral philosophy. It is a fairly quick and relatively easy read which gives you a good starting point for determining your interest and allowing you the opportunity to find another, more in depth, read if you so choose. Personally, I am not looking to become an expert and will not likely pursue anything further at this point, but it was nice to get an overview for future reference and conversation on the topic.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews