Kitab al-Majmu' is widely considered the most comprehensive manual of Shafi'i jurisprudence ( fiqh ) ever written. It is an expansive commentary on Abu Ishaq al-Shirazi's Al-Muhadhdhab .
If you cannot find the specific section of Kitab al-Majmu' you need in English, consider downloading PDFs of these fully translated, foundational Shafi'i manuals:
Being a translation from the introduction to al-Nawawi's ... - Gale
Imam al-Nawawi (1233–1277 CE) was a preeminent scholar of Fiqh (jurisprudence) and Hadith (prophetic traditions), spending most of his life in Damascus. His works are renowned for their clarity and depth, and Al-Majmu' is considered one of his most important contributions to Islamic law. kitab al-majmu english pdf
Unlike the Alawite text, an English PDF of Imam al-Nawawi's Al-Majmu' is readily available for download online. You can find it by searching for the following keywords:
According to these sources, the Kitab al-Majmu is comprised of sixteen suras (chapters) and was supposedly incorporated into a larger compilation called the Kitab al-Bakura by a man named Sulayman al-Adani. Al-Adani's identity is crucial to the document's controversial nature. He is described as an 'Alawite convert to Christianity, and some sources even suggest he converted through various other religions before settling on Protestantism. This background has led many contemporary 'Alawites and scholars to reject the text outright. They argue that Kitab al-Majmu is fabricated and potentially a forgery created by Christian missionaries in the 19th century. The modern 'Alawite community does not recognize it as an authentic source, instead pointing to works like Nahj al-Balagha as their authoritative texts.
An English PDF of Kitab al-Majmu in full is . Instead, focus on: Kitab al-Majmu' is widely considered the most comprehensive
However, navigating this topic requires clarity. In the canon of Islamic scholarship, the title Kitab al-Majmu is most famously attributed to two distinct, towering figures: (the Shafi’i jurist) and Imam Al-Tabarani (the Hadith master). While both works are titled Al-Majmu , their content, purpose, and availability in English differ vastly.
Kitab al-Majmu, also known as Al-Majmu' fi Sharh al-Muhalla (The Collection: A Commentary on The Ornament), is a renowned Arabic text on Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) written by the esteemed Islamic scholar, Ibn al-Qattan al-Fasawi (d. 1073 CE / 465 AH). The book is a comprehensive guide to Islamic law, covering various aspects of worship, personal law, and social transactions. This paper aims to provide an overview of Kitab al-Majmu, its significance in Islamic scholarship, and its relevance to contemporary discussions on Islamic jurisprudence.
Unfortunately, Imam al-Nawawi passed away before completing the entire work, finishing up to the section on riba (usury). Later scholars, including Imam Taqi al-Din al-Subki and others, completed the work Kitaabun . Availability of Kitab al-Majmu English Translation (PDF) - Gale Imam al-Nawawi (1233–1277 CE) was a
Note: Be aware of a different, unrelated text also titled "Kitab al-Majmu" associated with Alawite/Nusayri teachings, which has a 19th-century English translation by Edward E. Salisbury but is entirely distinct from Imam al-Nawawi's legal masterpiece. Why Seek This Text?
Because his works are infused with sincerity and rigorous academic discipline, they remain the standard textbooks in Islamic universities worldwide. While we wait for a complete English translation of his magnum opus, Al-Majmu' , utilizing the available translations of his secondary books allows contemporary students to benefit directly from his immense legacy.