Course Description
In this course, students will study the foundations of Shāṭibī’s thought through his introduction to al-Muwāfaqāt. Shāṭibī (d. 790 AH) was a pioneering Andalusian jurist who reframed uṣūl al-fiqh around the higher objectives (maqāṣid) of the Sharīʿah. His opening section outlines thirteen foundational principles that shape the purpose of knowledge, the nature of evidence, and the ethical formation of a scholar. This course will consist of both lectures and in-class discussions.
There are NO EXAMS for this course. All year-long courses count toward the ‘Ālimiyyah Degree (8-year requirement).
Topics Covered
Based on the Author’s Introduction and Preliminary Concepts in al-Muwāfaqāt:
Reconciliation of the Fundament…
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Uṣūl al-fiqh as definitive foundations
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Definitive nature of the evidences used in uṣūl al-fiqh
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Induction (istiqrā’) as a basis for universal principles
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The subject-matter of uṣūl al-fiqh and its proper boundaries
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Matters unrelated to conduct and why they fall outside this discipline
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Two pathways for attaining sound knowledge
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All Sharīʿah disciplines as means of obedience to God
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Knowledge preferred by the Lawgiver and its link to righteous action
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Essential vs. ancillary forms of knowledge
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Primacy of transmitted evidence when combined with rational evidence
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Knowledge recognized by the Sharīʿah as that which guides conduct
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The importance of learning from qualified experts and the traits of a scholar
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Universal principles that guide behavior and ethical decision-making
Course information
Name of Course: Al-Muwāfaqāt: Shāṭibī’s Maqāṣid Theory
Days and Timings:
- Sundays from 12 pm-1 pm Mountain Standard Time
Duration: January 2026 to December 2026
The first class is on January 4, 2026
