Introduction to Sacred Law (Shafi'i): Matn Abi Shuja Explained (Part Two): Fasting, Zakat, and Hajj
Curricular Context
- This is a first-level course in Step Two
- Complete Step One before taking this course
- Complete Part 1 of this series before taking this course
What You'll Learn
- Describe the historical development of the Shafi‘i school
- Learn the rules of fasting, zakat, and Hajj
- Memorize the definitions of key terms related to the rules of fasting, zakat,, and Hajj
- Appreciate the depth of the Muslim scholarly tradition
Course Outline
| Lesson 1 | Zakat on Wealth Zakatable wealth Conditions for obligation of Zakat |
| Lesson 2 | Zakat on livestock |
| Lesson 3 | Zakat on gold and silver Zakat on agriculture |
| Lesson 4 | Zakat on trade Zakat on mines Zakat on buried treasure |
| Lesson 5 | Zakat al Fitr Deserving Recipients Distributing Zakat |
| Lesson 6 | Fasting Obligation Integrals Nullifiers |
| Lesson 7 | Sunnan of fasting Disliked acts during Fasting Sunna Fasts |
| Lesson 8 | Unlawful Days of Fasting Expiations Excuses for not Fasting |
| Lesson 9 | Itikaf (spiritual retreat) Integrals Nullifiers |
| Lesson 10 | Hajj Conditions for obligation Integrals Necessary acts |
| Lesson 11 | Sunnas of Hajj and Umrah Prohibitions in Ihram |
| Lesson 12 | Omission of Pilgrim rites Expiations |
About the Course Text
This course is an explanation of Matn Abi Shuja’ , written by the learned and pious Shafi‘i scholar from Basra, Ahmad ibn al Hussein al-Asfahani (d. 500’s AH / 1100’s CE), more famously known as, Abu Shuja‘. Abu Shuja‘ taught the Shafi‘i school for 40 years in Basra, working as a scholar and judge, before retiring at the end of his life to Medina, where he worked as a servant at the mosque of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). His Matn Abi Shuja‘, a short introduction to the Shafi‘i school of sacred law, is one of the most blessed textbooks of the school–although it was written almost a millennium ago, it remains an integral part of Shafi‘i fiqh curricula all over the world, and has been the subject of dozens of commentaries and super-commentaries ever since it was written all the way down to the present age.
About the Course Teachers
