An Introduction to the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence --- Ibn Juzayy

An Introduction to the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence is a translation of Ibn Juzayy’s celebrated Taqrīb al-Wuṣūl ilā ʿIlm al-Uṣūl (“Facilitating the Attainment of the Science of Legal Principles”), a concise yet sophisticated primer on the foundations of uṣūl al-fiqh. With exceptional clarity and precision, the author outlines the methods by which Muslim jurists derive legal rulings from the revealed sources of Islam.

Systematically arranged and remarkably accessible, the work explores the principles of legal interpretation, the sources and proofs of the Sacred Law, and the rational and linguistic disciplines that underpin juristic reasoning. While rooted in the Maliki tradition, Ibn Juzayy also presents the perspectives of the other major schools of Islamic law, offering readers a broad and balanced understanding of classical legal methodology.

The text guides students through key topics such as legal rulings (aḥkām sharʿiyyah), evidences and their hierarchy, independent juristic reasoning (ijtihād), and the weighing and preference of competing proofs (tarjīḥ). Concise without sacrificing depth, it serves as an ideal introduction for serious students seeking to understand the intellectual framework that governs the development and application of Islamic law.

Drawing upon the rich scholarly heritage of Muslim Spain, this enduring work provides both a roadmap and a methodology for approaching the Sharīʿah, making it an indispensable resource for students of Islamic jurisprudence and legal theory.

Abū al-Qāsim Muhammad ibn Juzayy al-Kalbī

693–741 AH (1294–1340 CE)

An illustrious Andalusi Maliki scholar and khatīb of the Great Mosque of Gharnātah (Granada), Ibn Juzayy stood at the heart of the great affairs of his age. A devoted educator as well as a man of action, he was deeply engaged in the defence of his land, ultimately meeting his end on the battlefield of Tarīfah. He leaves behind a rich and enduring legacy across the Islamic sciences — from jurisprudence and Qur’anic exegesis, to the Arabic language, hadīth, and adab — a testament to both the breadth of his learning and the refinement of his pen.