Al-Nihayah: A Concise Description of Islamic Law and Legal Opinions (al-Nihayah fi Mujarrad al-Fiqh wa al-Fatawa)

Book excerpt: Islam is an all inclusive way of life which covers the intellect and the real, the theoretical and the practical. The major part of the Islamic code of practice and behavior is formalised in the discipline of Islamic law which established itself as a discipline before other Islamic disciplines. The early Muslim jurisconsultants are to be credited as the pioneers of the development of the Islamic legal system. Shaikh Mohammad ibn Hasan ibn 'Ali Abu Ja'far al-Tusi (385-460 AH/995-1067 AD), who was given the honorary title of Shaikh al-Ta'ifat al-Imamiyyah (The Head of the Shi'a Islamic School) was at the orefront of these pioneers. His book Al-Nihayah fi Mojarrad al-Fiqh wa al-Fatawa (A Concise Description of Islamic Law and Legal Opinions) has been recognised as one of the major early sources, references and textbooks in the field of Islamic Law in general and of Shi'a Islamic law in particular. This book has been translated, edited and introduced by Professor A. Ezzati, and published by ICAS Press as the present volume.