Madkhal ila Ulum al-Sharia

Madkhal ila Ulum al-Sharia (Introduction to the Sharia Sciences) is an introductory handbook on Islamic religious disciplines and the etiquette of religious learning by the Saudi scholar Abd al-Rahman bin Abd al-Aziz al-Aql, a faculty member at the College of Sharia at Qassim University Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari….

Purpose and Scope

The author composed the work as a concise guide and indispensable primer for students seeking to learn the rulings of Islamic law and study its disciplines, aiming to equip the seeker with necessary insight before embarking on studies Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari…. The text presents Islamic sciences as those derived from Islamic law through its two fundamental sources—the Quran and the Sunnah—emphasizing that acquiring necessary religious knowledge is an obligation upon every accountable individual (mukallaf) to ensure correct worship Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari….

Structure and Content

The treatise is organized into two main parts:

• Part One: Etiquette of the Seeker of Knowledge (Adab Talib al-Ilm): This section addresses the ethical qualities, internal dispositions, and conduct required of a student of religious knowledge, as well as the pitfalls to avoid Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari…. It details four categories of etiquette:

  1. Etiquette with oneself: Focusing on purifying intention exclusively for God, reforming the heart, removing ignorance, defending the Sharia, and acting upon acquired knowledge (al-amal bi-l-ilm) Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari…+1. It cautions against ostentation and seeking worldly gain through sacred knowledge Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari….
  2. Etiquette with one's teacher: Emphasizing deep respect, reverent speech, manners when asking questions, choosing appropriate times to inquire, exercising patience with the teacher's demeanor, showing gratitude, and attributing credit and virtue to one's instructors Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari…+3.
  3. Etiquette with peers: Highlighting fraternity and avoiding envy (hasad), arrogance, and disdain toward fellow students Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari….
  4. Etiquette with the general public Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari….

• Part Two: Overview of the Sharia Sciences (Nubdha an Ulum al-Sharia): This section provides an introduction to the primary fields of Islamic learning, outlining their branches, benefits, and essential terminology Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari…. The covered disciplines include Quranic exegesis (tafsir) and Quranic sciences, Hadith and its sciences, Islamic theology (aqidah), jurisprudence (fiqh), principles of jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh), and legal maxims (al-qawa'id al-fiqhiyya) Madkhal ila Ulum al-Shari….