Umar Sulayman al-Ashqar
- Died
- 1433 AH
- Born in
- -
Umar Sulayman al-Ashqar (d. 1433 AH / 2012 CE) was a Palestinian-Jordanian Islamic scholar, jurist, and author known for his writings on Islamic theology, jurisprudence, and Islamic thought .
Background and Education
Al-Ashqar belonged to the Daghlas family from the village of Burqa in the district of Nablus, Palestine . He was raised in a scholarly household, and his primary early instructor was his elder brother, the legal theorist Muhammad Sulayman al-Ashqar . He pursued higher religious education in Saudi Arabia, graduating from the Islamic University of Madinah . He later completed his graduate studies in Egypt, earning a doctorate in comparative jurisprudence (al-fiqh al-muqaran) from the Faculty of Sharia at al-Azhar University .
Academic Career and Scholarly Contribution
Al-Ashqar worked as a university professor, serving on the faculty of the Department of Comparative Jurisprudence and Sharia Politics at Kuwait University's College of Sharia and Islamic Studies . He later settled in Jordan, where he participated in scholarly conferences and academic activities at the University of Jordan's Faculty of Sharia . He contributed extensively to Islamic legal councils and research symposia on contemporary legal, medical, and ethical issues .
His scholarship centered on presenting Sunni Islamic creed and comparative jurisprudence through direct textual evidence from the Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah . His doctoral dissertation, Maqasid al-Mukallafin fima yuta'abbadu bihi li-Rabb al-Alamin (The Objectives of Legal Agents Concerning What is Done in Worship to the Lord of the Worlds), focused on the legal theory and role of intention (niyyah) in Islamic acts of worship . In theology, he composed systematic treatises on foundational doctrine, including al-Aqida fi Allah (Belief in God) and the eschatological study al-Qiyama al-Sughra (The Minor Resurrection) .
Death
Al-Ashqar died in Jordan in 1433 AH (2012 CE) .
Answer updated
List of Works
Alam al-Malaika al-Abrar (The Realm of the Righteous Angels) is a theological treatise examining Islamic beliefs regarding angels in light of orthodox Sunni textual sources. Dedicated to explaining the second pillar of Islamic faith, the work details the characteristics, functions, and ranks of angels strictly through authentic Quranic verses and sound prophetic traditions.
al-Madkhal ila Dirasat al-Madaris wa al-Madhahib al-Fiqhiyya (Introduction to the Study of Jurisprudential Schools and Rites) is a contemporary work on Islamic legal history and methodology. It serves as an introductory guide for students and researchers in Sharia faculties to understand the historical development of legal schools, distinguish authentic doctrines within a madhhab, and navigate authoritative reference literature.
al-Qiyamah al-Sughra (The Minor Resurrection) is a theological treatise on Islamic eschatology. Grounded in traditional Sunni creedal methodology, the work examines the reality and events of individual death, the intermediate realm of the grave (barzakh), and the portents of the Hour.
Allah yuhaddithu ibadahu an nafsihi (God Speaks to His Servants About Himself) is a theological and exegetical work examining how God introduces and describes Himself across various passages of the Quran. It presents specific scriptural verses addressing God's essence, names, attributes, actions, and sovereignty, explaining their meanings in an accessible manner drawn directly from revelation.
Al-Ta'wil: Khuturatuhu wa-Atharuhu (Figurative Interpretation: Its Danger and Repercussions) is a theological treatise on Islamic creed. It examines the nature of figurative interpretation (ta'wil) and argues against its application to scriptural texts concerning the divine names and attributes.
This theological work examines the Islamic doctrine of prophethood and messengership through scriptural texts. Forming part of the multi-volume series al-Aqidah fi Daw' al-Kitab wa al-Sunnah, it presents traditional Islamic beliefs directly from the Quran and authentic Prophetic traditions, focusing on belief in the messengers as an essential pillar of Islamic faith.
This contemporary Sunni theological treatise serves as the opening installment of the multi-volume curriculum al-Aqida fi Daw' al-Kitab wa-al-Sunna. It is devoted to expounding the primary pillar of Islamic faith: belief in Allah. Prioritizing systematic textual evidences over scholastic theological debate, the work presents doctrine in accessible language to cultivate faith and understanding.
This theological treatise on Islamic eschatology examines the events, cosmic disruptions, and trials of the Day of Judgment in Sunni doctrine. Serving as the second volume in the eschatological sub-series al-Yawm al-Akhir, the work concentrates on the major resurrection, spanning from the annihilation of created life and bodily resurrection to the gathering before God for reckoning and conveyance to the final abode.
This treatise on Islamic eschatology and creed examines the nature, descriptions, inhabitants, and deeds leading to Paradise and Hellfire in Islamic belief. Constituting the third volume of the eschatological subdivision within the series al-Aqida fi Daw' al-Kitab wa al-Sunna, it systematically presents textual evidence drawn directly from the Quran and authenticated prophetic hadiths according to the framework of Ahl al-Sunna wa-l-Jama'a.
This foundational textbook on Islamic culture provides university students with a comprehensive baseline of Islamic knowledge rooted in divine revelation rather than foreign philosophical systems. Composed to support the Islamization of education curricula, the work is organized into an extensive general introduction alongside seven distinct parts addressing creed, ethics, jurisprudence, family, penal legislation, economics, and politics.
al-Qada wa-l-Qadar (Divine Decree and Predestination) is a theological treatise examining the Sunni doctrine of divine decree and destiny in light of the Quran and the Sunnah. It is devoted to elucidating belief in divine decree as an essential pillar of Islamic faith, drawing upon textual proofs to frame the doctrine as central to the realization of divine omnipotence and monotheism (tawhid).
Maqasid al-Mukallafin fima yataabbad bihi li-Rabb al-Alamin (The Objectives of Legal Agents Concerning What is Done in Worship to the Lord of the Worlds), subtitled al-Niyyat fi al-Ibadat (Intentions in Acts of Worship), is a work on comparative jurisprudence and legal intentions. It explores intentionality as the essential inner spirit and foundation of Islamic acts of worship.
Durus al-Shaykh Umar al-Ashqar (Lessons of Sheikh Umar al-Ashqar) is a collection of transcribed audio lessons and lectures addressing Islamic creed (aqidah), legal principles, and religious guidance. It compiles educational circles and spoken lectures encompassing foundational religious sciences, theological expositions, legal methodology, and practical counsel for students and the general public.
al-Taqwa: Tarifuha wa-Fadluha wa-Mahdhuratuha wa-Qisas min Ahwaliha (Piety: Its Definition, Merit, Prohibitions, and Stories from Its States) is a treatise on Islamic piety and spirituality. Drawing on Arabic lexicons, Quranic commentaries, hadith collections, and classical ethical works, it examines the definition, virtues, and requirements of God-consciousness, as well as the prohibitions to avoid.
Alam al-Jinn wa al-Shayatin (The World of the Jinn and Devils) is a theological monograph examining Islamic creedal teachings regarding the unseen realm of the jinn and devils. It details their creation, physical nature, linguistic classifications, and interactions with humanity, while outlining scriptural means of spiritual protection against them.