Imam Abu Zakariya Al-Nawawi's Objections to Imam Ibn Abi Al-Khair Al-'Imrani: A Case Study of the Book of Purification

Abstract

#This research is considered an important topic as it discusses the objections between two prominent scholars of the Shafi'i school of thought, namely Imam Abu Zakariya al-Nawawi and Imam Ibn Abi al-Khair al-'Imrani, may Allah have mercy on them. Imam al-Nawawi objected to Imam al-'Imrani in his book al-Majmu' regarding various juridical issues, and this research presents these issues, discusses them, presents their evidence, and determines the preponderant view among them. The research is divided into an introduction and three sections. The introduction addresses the concept of objections, the first section covers the biographies of Imam al-Nawawi and Imam al-'Imrani, and the second section discusses the principles that al-Nawawi relied on in revising and editing the Shafi'i school of thought. The third section examines the issues on which Imam al-Nawawi objected to Imam al-'Imrani. After studying these issues, the research reaches several conclusions, including:

1. Imam al-Nawawi relied on general principles, especially in his revision and editing of the school of thought.
2. Imam al-Nawawi objected to Imam al-'Imrani regarding the ruling on purification with sunlight-affected water, with al-Nawawi considering it disliked, while the school of thought allows it. However, upon investigation, it became clear that al-Nawawi contradicted his own school of thought, as the preponderant view is disapproval, not permissibility.
3. Imam al-Nawawi's objection to Imam al-'Imrani regarding the ruling on water mixed with something pure without altering its characteristics lacked strong evidence. The preponderant view is what al-'Imrani corrected, which is considering the weight.
4. Imam al-Nawawi objected to Imam al-'Imrani regarding the ruling on water that is doubtful in reaching the minimum impurity threshold (two Qullah), if it contains impurity like a drop of blood without altering any of its qualities. The preponderant view is that it is pure.
5. Imam al-Nawawi objected to Imam al-'Imrani regarding the ruling on the prayer of a person with severed hands who cannot find anyone to assist them in performing ablution and is capable of performing tayammum. The preponderant view is that it is obligatory, along with repetition.