A critical edition of Ru'us al-masa'il by al-Zamakhshari (d. 538 A.H. / 1144)

Abstract

This thesis consists of two parts. The first part deals with an introduction which is divided into five chapters,

Chapter one provides, general information on the MS, the copyist and the orthography. The date and purpose of composition of the work is also discussed, and the critical apparatus explained.

Chapter two concerns the authorship and outlines briefly the author's career. The discussion involves the author's name, family, education, his teachers, his pupils and his other works. The date of his death is also ascertained.

Chapter three deals with the place of the Ru'uss al-Masa’il type in literature, and consists of a review of works of similar title. Confirmation of the authorship of the present work, and comparison of this work with other similar works results in showing its significance and in illustrating the attitude of the author on matters dealt with on Fiqh.

A historical survey of the development of Ikhtilaf literature and the beginnings of the science of al-Khilafiyyat have been discussed in chapter four.

Finally, chapter five deals with the classical theory of Usul and its application in the Ikhtilaf literature which is followed by a brief conclusion.

The second part presents the Text. This contains 407 rulings under 62 titles and sub-titles which deal with different subjects ranging from ritual, family law and penal law to the rulings on food and drink.

The separate notes have been provided in order to show the development of the Shafi’ite doctrines. An appendix is also provided aiming to illustrate the development of Zamakhshari's ideas on Fiqh.