أبو إسحاق الشاطبي
al-Shatibi (RH)
Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi
c. 720–790 AH · c. 1320–1388 CE
Fiqh Maliki
Maliki scholar of Granada, best known for his theory of the higher aims of the Shari'ah.
Al-Shatibi lived in Granada, the last Muslim state in al-Andalus, and taught there. He took firm positions against practices he considered innovations, which brought him into conflict with some contemporaries.
His al-Muwafaqat presents the Shari'ah as serving higher aims (maqasid): the protection of religion, life, intellect, lineage and property. It shows how these aims should guide the interpretation of rules. Largely neglected for centuries, the book was revived in the modern era and is now central to discussions of maqasid al-shari'ah. His al-I'tisam deals with innovation (bid'ah).
Life journey
- c. 1320 CE Granada (Gharnata) غرناطةDied 1388 CE · 790 AHHis family came from Shatiba (Xàtiva); he lived in Nasrid Granada.
Key works
- al-Muwafaqat الموافقاتThe ReconciliationThe classic on the higher aims (maqasid) of the Shari'ah.
Places in their life
Photo: Jebulon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources
- Ahmad Baba al-Tinbukti, Nayl al-Ibtihaj
- Muhammad Khalid Masud, Shatibi's Philosophy of Islamic Law (1995)