Author
Alyauddin Abu Bakr al-Kasani
Publication Date
1909
Publication Place
-
al-Matbuga al-gilmiya, Matbaga al-Jamuliyyah, Cairo 1909-1910.
Type
kitap
Language
Arabic
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Pages Count
2130
Library
Darul Kutub
Library Asset ID
76fe598c718eb182afbd73d02750317f3bc1b66a
Record ID
858
Library Location
Darul Pole
Date
1909
Notes
The book Badai al-sanai fi tartib al-Sharayi (Wonderful Arts in the Ordering of the Path), written by the Hanafi scholar Abu Bakr al-Kasani (died 1191), is a collection of judicial principles and customs that were established by the 8th century jurist Numan ibn Thabit, better known as Abu Hanifa, the founder of one of the most famous schools of Sharia (Islamic law). The ideas of Abu Hanifa and his early followers influenced many medieval fuqaha (authoritative jurists), including al-Kasani. The work examines the basic principles of Islam and the duties of Muslims. Each issue is examined from the perspective of history, text, circumstance, and procedure. For example, in the section on purification before prayer when clean running water is not available (tayammum, or dry purification), Al-Kasani analyzes the principles established by the Qur'an and the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, the generally accepted customs and methods of performing tayammum. The last part of the work is devoted to adab al-qadi (rules of conduct for judges). It discusses the procedure for freeing slaves, punishment for various crimes, jihad, taking testimony and establishing the truth in court. Al-Kasani, whom his contemporaries nicknamed “the king of hadith scholars,” was a student of Muhammad al-Samarkandi and the husband of his daughter Fatima. It is believed that this book was written by him as a mahr (wedding gift). Fatima's father preferred this gift to other offerings offered by richer, but less educated and pious applicants. Fatima herself was a well-known and authoritative scholar of the Hanafi school and a judge and helped her husband make judicial decisions. Al-Kasani died in the Syrian city of Aleppo and was buried along with Fatima bint Muhammad al-Samarkandi. This work was published in 1909–1910 in Cairo.
