al-Sharia lil-Ajurri

Al-Shari'a (Arabic: كتاب الشريعة, lit. 'The Sacred Law/Way') is a comprehensive treatise on Islamic creed and theology by the Baghdadi traditionist and jurist Abu Bakr al-Ajurri (d. 360 AH / 970 CE) Madkhal li-Dirasat al-Aqi…+1. Compiled to articulate the theological doctrines of Ahl al-Sunnah through transmitted scriptural traditions and early scholarly consensus, it is also referred to in classical bibliographical literature as al-Shari'a fi al-Sunna al-Risala al-Mustatrafa l…+1.

Scope and Content

The author organized the book around three primary foundations:

1. Warning against religious factionalism and division while emphasizing strict adherence to the main body of Muslims (al-jama'a) Madkhal li-Dirasat al-Aqi…+1.
2. Knowing God in a manner that fosters veneration and reverent love, fulfilling His right to exclusive and sincere worship in hope and awe Madkhal li-Dirasat al-Aqi…+1.
3. Knowing the Prophet ﷺ so as to engender deep love, esteem, and exclusive adherence to his guidance and obedience above all other figures Madkhal li-Dirasat al-Aqi…+1.

Because the work followed many earlier monographs dedicated to creed (kutub al-sunna), it included distinct examinations of topics such as prophethood, the nature of divine revelation, and how it was transmitted to the Prophet ﷺ Madkhal li-Dirasat al-Aqi…+1. The book systematically addresses and refutes several theological factions: it responds to the Qadariyyah regarding divine decree (qadar), the Murji'ah concerning the definition of faith (iman), the Jahmiyyah regarding their doctrine of the createdness of the Qur'an, and the Rawafid concerning their stance toward the Companions of the Prophet Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa…. It also expounds upon political governance and the rulings of the caliphate and imamate, the virtues of the Companions, and legal and theological rulings concerning the Kharijites and brigands Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa….

A major section of the work focuses on affirming the beatific vision (ru'yat Allah)—the doctrine that believers will see God in the Hereafter—supported by Quranic verses, prophetic hadiths with multiple chains of transmission, and interpretations by Successors and early authorities like Ahmad ibn Hanbal Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa…. This section has also circulated and been published as an independent tract titled al-Tasdiq bi-l-Nazar ila Allah Ta'ala fi al-Akhira Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa….

Method

Al-Ajurri employed the traditional method of hadith scholars (tariqat al-muhaddithin), arranging doctrines under descriptive thematic chapter headings substantiated by textual chains of transmission (asand), Quranic citations, and transmitted reports from the Companions and early generations (salaf) Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa…+1.

Publication History

The book was first edited and published in Egypt by Muhammad Hamid al-Fiqi in 1369 AH (c. 1950 CE) Madkhal li-Dirasat al-Aqi…+1. It later served as the subject of an academic doctoral thesis at Umm al-Qura University, critically edited by 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar al-Dumayji and published across five volumes (notably by Dar al-Watan in Riyadh) Madkhal li-Dirasat al-Aqi…+2.