Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence for Beginners is an English translation of al-Mujaz fi Usul al-Fiqh. The science of usul al-fiqh (principles of jurisprudence) discusses the fundamental rules for deriving Islamic laws from reliable sources. This primer on the subject deals with the most important topics of usul al-fiqh in a succinct and clear manner.
Building on classical works of past scholars, the author provides students with insights into the development of the subject and demystifies the complex, jargon-laden subject of the derivation of Islamic law. This succinct, clear manual explains the fundamentals of this subject and is suitable for academic research, as an introductory course in the traditional Islamic seminary system, or as a companion work to more complex texts. The use of practical examples enables the reader to better understand the issues discussed and opens up avenues for further research. Helpful annotations from the translator make the work even more accessible to the English-language reader.
Ayatollah Ja‘far Subhani (b. 1929) is a high-ranking Shi‘i scholar (marja‘), theologian, jurisprudent, Qur’anic exegete, and a distinguished teacher at the Hawzah of Qum. His thematic approach to the exegesis of the Qur’an is reflected in his Manshur-i Jawid (The Eternal Charter, 14 vols.) and Mafahim al-Qur’an (The Concepts of the Qur’an, 7 vols.), among others. A prolific author, he has written many books on a wide array of subjects, including theology, Islamic sects, heresiography (al-milal wa al-nihal), hadith transmission authorities, contextual analytical study of hadith (dirayah), principles of hadith, philosophy, principles of jurisprudence, jurisprudence, history, fundamentals of belief (‘aqa’id), and biographies of Shi‘i luminaries. He has edited 12 classical sources written before the thirteenth century AD.
