Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation

Our book "The Virtues of Sharī'ah" is available [in the Arabic language] and can be purchased via our website:

https://al-furqan.com/publication/the-virtues-of-shariah-9781788148795/

The book, “Maḥāsin al-sharī‘ah”, by Imām Abū Bakr Muḥammad b. ‘Alī al-Qaffāl al-Shāshī (d. 365AH) is one of the seminal works in the history of Islamic law objectives (maqāṣid) and jurisprudential (fiqh) thought. An original building block in revealing the wisdom (ḥikmah) and profound spirit of Islamic legislation, and a monument of early objectives-based thinking. The book does not adopt the perspective treating Islamic law, the Sharī‘ah, simply as a set of commands and prohibitions. Rather, it presents Islamic law as an integrated Divine system, grounded on justice (‘adl) and clemency (raḥmah), duly considering the interests (maṣāliḥ), and in congruence with the innate nature (fiṭrah) and sound mind (‘aql). In such a way as to assure the well-being and probity of humans, and the integrity of civilising effort, in this life and the hereafter.

Hence, the text’s scientific value manifests, as an intellectual and methodological venture that was ahead of its time. It contributed to establishing the awareness that Islamic law rulings have objectives, rational causes (sing. ‘illah), and universal aims governing the particulars, and granting these civilizational meaning. “Maḥāsin al-sharī‘ah” is distinguished by its comprehensive structure focused on application. Al-Qaffāl presents the major jurisprudential topics in a coherent objectives-based frame. He reveals the wisdom of worship rituals (‘ibādāt) as the means to purify the self (tazkiyyah), and reform behaviour. He considers the rulings on family matters as systems that preserve human dignity, and secure social stability. He addresses financial dealings from the perspective of achieving justice, protecting confidence, and preventing unfairness and ambiguity (gharar); an advanced discernment of the philosophy of Islamic economics on his part. He also dedicates chapters to offences (jināyāt), punishments (ḥudūd), and administering justice (qaḍā’). He highlights that punishment in Islamic law is established to protect society and safeguard its necessities (ḍarūrāt). It is not a matter of revenge or cruelty, but grounded on a fine balance between strictness and clemency.

The scientific significance of this book lies in that it is one of the oldest authored, independent texts that present Islamic law objectives in comprehensive and applied form. Moreover, it connects these objectives to human interests and social aims, well before this discipline evolved in later writings. As such, it is an important reference for jurisprudents and legal theorists, and rich source for researchers in Islamic law objectives, in the past and present. Garnering the praise of great scholars, it had visible impact on subsequent jurisprudential thought. Furthermore, it is distinguished by clarity of approach, strength of argument, distant from any invocation of dhawq—direct, unmediated knowledge of the Divine—while converging towards precise scientific, evidenced argumentation (istidlāl).

“Maḥāsin al-sharī‘ah” is not simply a book on defending the Islamic rulings. Rather, an unveiling of the spirit and higher aims of Islamic law, highlighting its perpetual efficacy in building the human being and society. As such, it is a scientific work of high standing, deserving to be read and studied by anyone seeking to gain a deep objectives-based understanding of Islamic law, and to grasp its wisdom, justice, and legislative beauty.

WATCH VIDEO:

Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation hosted a lecture entitled "The Word as Icon: The Role of Writing in Islamic Art", delivered by Prof. Robert Hillenbrand, Emeritus Professor of Islamic Art at the University of Edinburgh, and Professorial Fellow of Art History at the University of St Andrews.

In his opening remarks, Mr Sharaf Yamani, Chairman of Al-Furqan Foundation, noted that inscriptions "are the visible memory of a civilisation…" and "to preserve them, is to keep that trust alive, and to remind the world that Islamic heritage is not a closed chapter, but a living conversation".

"Islamic artists made writing itself sacred, " said Mr Yamani, because "they believed that the divine word deserved divine beauty, and that calligraphy could embody the infinite perfection of God’s revelation".

Mr Sali Shahsivari, the Managing Director of Al-Furqan, highlighted the importance of the importance of the lecture in shedding light on a very interesting aspect of Islamic art and heritage, i.e. the writing and its use as a sacred visual symbol / or "icon".

In his lecture, Prof. Robert Hillenbrand gave an overview on the different uses to which writing is put in Islamic art, notably as a way not just to decorate and articulate architecture, but to add meaning to it and to proclaim the faith in public places.

You can watch the whole lecture on our YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQI7a7TEUF4

And read our Website report here:
https://al-furqan.com/events/the-word-as-icon-the-role-of-writing-in-islamic-art/

The Word as Icon: The Role of Writing in Islamic Art | Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation Within the series of Al-Furqan London Lectures on Islamic Heritage, Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation hosted a lecture entitled "The Word as Icon: The Role of Writing in Islamic Art", delivered by Prof. Robert Hillenbrand, Emeritus Professor of Islamic Art at  the University of Edinburgh, and P...

Our book "The House of Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her) in Makkah al-Mukarramah: A Historical Study of its Location, Building and Architecture" is available [in a new Arabic language edition] and can be purchased via our website:

https://al-furqan.com/publication/the-house-of-khadeejah-bint-khuwaylid-may-allah-be-pleased-with-her-in-makkah-al_mukarramah-9781788148771/

The book is authored by His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani (may his soul rest in peace), the Founder of the Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation, and its former President.

This book documents one of the holiest Islamic sites in Makkah, the House of Khadeejah (may Allah be pleased with her), which housed the best creation of God, the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), his sons and his daughters (may Allah be pleased with them).

This study sheds the light on the history of this great house, its roles across different historical periods as well as the renovations, additions and modifications that it has undergone throughout time. It also looks at the various social and cultural aspects related to it.

In addition to the relevant aspects related to this house, such as: the Mother of Believers, Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her) and her position and role in the Prophet’s life, and the most important events that occurred in the House of Khadeejah (may Allah be pleased with her); it also includes the location of the House of Khadeejah (may Allah be pleased with her) and the houses surrounding it; the architecture of the House of Khadeejah (may Allah be pleased with her) throughout history, according to the narratives of the historians; the House of Khadeejah (may Allah be pleased with her) in the books of journeys to Makkah; and the House of Khadeejah (may Allah be pleased with her) based on the excavations done in 1989.

12 June: National Day of Russia

Discover the Russian Federation's Islamic Written Heritage as indicated in our "World Survey of Islamic Manuscripts", through the interactive infographic in the following link:

https://al-furqan.com/national-days/national-day-of-the-russian-federation/

10 June: National Day of Portugal

Discover Portugal's Islamic Written Heritage as indicated in our "World Survey of Islamic Manuscripts", through the interactive infographic in the following link:

https://al-furqan.com/national-days/national-day-of-portugal/

6 June: National Day of Sweden

Discover Sweden's Islamic Written Heritage as indicated in our "World Survey of Islamic Manuscripts", through the interactive infographic in the following link:

https://al-furqan.com/national-days/national-day-of-sweden/

5 June: World Environment Day

On the occasion of the World Environment Day, browse our publications related to the subject:

https://al-furqan.com/international-days/world-environment-day/

Publications:

-Islam and the Wonders of Creation, by Annemarie Schimmel
-Water and its sources in the Holy City of Jerusalem and the Ottoman State's Efforts to Provide it (Documentary Study and a Critical Edition of a Treatise on the Reconstruction of Jerusalem's Drinking-Fountain)
-The Objectives of Sharīʿah and the International Conventions

Also, please watch the video coverage of one of our events related to the subject:

Lecture on: “Islam and the Environment: An Objective Based Approach” By Mr Ahmed Paul Keeler, Visiting Fellow at the Centre of Islamic Studies, University of Cambridge, and Dr Jamal Badawi, Professor Emeritus at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Canada:

https://bit.ly/3w7dk9T

World Environment Day | Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation June 5th On the occasion of the World Environment Day, browse our publications, Selected Articles, and watch the video coverage of one of our events related to the subject. Selected Article: Islamic Law Objectives (Maqāṣid) and the International Declaration for the Protection of the Environment L...

June 5: National Day of Denmark

Discover Italy's Islamic Written Heritage as indicated in our "World Survey of Islamic Manuscripts", through the interactive infographic in the following link:

https://al-furqan.com/national-days/national-day-of-denmark/

Happening now:

Professor Robert Hillenbrand is currently at Al-Furqan Foundation's headquarters delivering a lecture entitled "The Word as Icon: The role of Writing in Islamic Art".

The lecture analyses the many different uses to which writing is put in Islamic art. Unlike the art of almost every other culture, Islamic art celebrates writing by using it to cover surfaces large and small and thereby to make them say something.

Watch this space for the report and video of the lecture…

June 2: National Day of Italy

Discover Italy's Islamic Written Heritage as indicated in our "World Survey of Islamic Manuscripts", through the interactive infographic in the following link:

https://al-furqan.com/national-days/national-day-of-italy/