Kitab al-Jami : English

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Kitab al-Jami - New,
'On the Sunnah, Courtesy, Wisdom,
Military Expeditions & History'
[A5] Large Paperback - 250 pages
by Imam ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani [d.386h],
Transl. by Abdassamad Clarke,

Description :

Kitab al-Jami‘ is a comprehensive work on miscellaneous matters, particularly from the tradition of Madina as transmitted by Imam Malik, may Allah be pleased with him. It was originally a part of the author’s Mukhtasar of the Mudawwana. although it became a work in its own right and there is evidence that the author also regarded it as such.

There is an extensive treatment of ‘aqida, an examination of the contentious subject of bid’a – innovation in the deen, an exposition of the relative merits of hadiths and ‘amal – the practice of the People of Madina– and an outline of the sira of the Prophet, peace be upon him, as well as a large number of other matters. A great deal of the book is on the noble qualities of character as exemplified by men and women who held to them under extreme political pressure, in both wealth and poverty.

Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani :

At 17 years of age, Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani (310/922 – 386/996) wrote his famous Risala in response to a request from a friend for a book with which to “teach children the deen just as they learn the Qur’an” and that work went on to become one of the key reference works for those concerned about the school of the People of Madinah. He lived in Qayrawan during the shi’a Fatimid dynasty.

Table of Contents :

---Dedication,

---Chapter [1]. Sunnahs the opposite of which are innovations,
-------On being led and following,
-------On the merits of the Companions,
-------On shunning the People of Innovation,

---Chapter [2]. The Sending of the Prophet,
-------His Days and Genealogy and Description,
-------His Sons, Daughters and Wives,
-------The Ten Companions, their Lives and Genealogies,
-------Some History,
-------When Parts of the Shar'iah were Revealed.

---Chapter [3]. The Superiority of Madinah,
-------Some mention of the Grave,
-------The Mimbar, the Mosque and the Ka'bah,
-------Mention of the Sadaqat of the Prophet,
-------About the Expulsion of the Jews,

---Chapter [4]. Knowledge,
-------The Guidance of People of Knowledge and their Courtesies,
-------Some mentions of Fatwa's,

---Chapter [5]. On Trials and the Corruption of the People of the Age,
-------Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong,
-------Some who were Tried when doing that,
-------On Absolving someone who does One Wrong,
-------Concerning a man Seeking a post of Governance,

---Chapter [6]. Supplication,
--------Remembrance of Allah,
--------Recitation of the Qur'an,
--------Recitation with Melodies,
--------Stories,
--------Dhikr in the Mosque,
--------Written Copies of the Qur'an,
--------The unclear Speech of the non-Arabs,
--------Gossiping after 'Isha,

---Chapter [7]. Silence,
--------Withdrawal, Humility, Intention,
--------Modesty and Character,
--------Worship, Admonitions and Wisdom.

---Chapter [8]. Adornment,
--------Conceit,
--------Showing Off, Pride,
--------Lying, Backbiting,
--------Bad Opinion.

---Chapter [9]. Scrupulousness,
--------Earnings,
--------Seeking Provision,
--------Setting Wealth Right,
--------Sadaqah,
--------Abstaining from Begging,
--------Accepting Gifts,
--------Concerning Whether Travellers may Eat Fruits which they come across or Buy from Slaves,
--------Mention of the Properties of Administrators,
--------What is Permitted to Someone in Pressing Need.

---Chapter [10]. Returning Greetings,
-------What Constitutes Reconcilliation,
-------Greeting People of the Dhimmah,
-------Brotherhood for the Sake of Allah,
-------The Contract whereby a Slave purchases his Freedom,
-------Seeking Permission to Enter,
-------Private Conversations,
-------Kissing Hands,
-------Going to excess in Honouring Husbands and Relatives,
-------Old or Learned People,
-------Treating Parents Well,
-------Responding to One who Sneezes.

---Chapter [11]. The Fitrah,
-------Trimming the Moustache,
-------Shaving Pubic Hair,
-------Circumcision,
-------Toothpicks,
-------Kohl,
-------Dyeing Hair and Tying it Up,
-------Henna and Cupping,
-------Entering Public Baths.

---Chapter [12]. Covering the Private Parts,
-------What Covering is Required for Women and Men,
-------Mixing of the Sexes when Eating and at the Time of Sleep,
-------Going Alone with Close Relatives and Others,
-------Regarding a Woman Travelling with Someone other than a Close Relative.

---Chapter [13]. Food and Drink,
-------Washing the Hands,
-------Eating with the Left Hand,
-------Drinking Standing,
-------Other Things on Food and Drink,
-------Responding to Invitations,
-------Hospitatlity,
-------The Hospitatlity of the People of the Dhimmah,
-------Skinning an Animal that has died of Natural Cause and using its Bones.

---Chapter [14]. Clothing,
-------Silk,
-------Materials woven of Wool and Silk,
-------Dyed Materials,
-------Dressing in Wool,
-------Letting the Lower Garment Hang Down,
-------Wrapping Oneself in only a Single Piece of Cloth,
-------Seal-rings, Jewellery,
-------Gold and Single Vessels,
-------Wearing Sandals,
-------Images and Sculptures,
-------Mention of the Form of the People of the Dhimmah.

---Chapter [15]. Medicine,
-------Cauterisation,
-------Treatment, Charms,
-------Seeking Protection,
-------Amulets, Augery,
-------The Evil 'Eye,'
-------The Plague,
-------Treatment for [Possession by] Jinn,
-------Regarding Stars (Astrology).

---Chapter [16]. Using Dogs,
--------Hanging Talismans and Bells on Animals,
--------Branding Animals,
--------Castrating Animals,
--------Studs, Snakes, Ants, etc.

---Chapter [17]. Treating Slaves and Animals Well,
--------Women,
--------Protecting One's Neighbours,
--------Clothing one's Dependents,
--------Orphans,
--------Anticipating a Reward from Allah for Disasters,
--------Mention of Daughters,
--------Mention of Bid'

---Chapter [18]. Travelling,
--------Women Travelling,
--------Voyaging by Sea,
--------Commercial Journeys to Enemy Lands.

---Chapter [19]. Names,
--------Honorific Names,
--------Genealogies,
--------Dreams.

---Chapter [20]. Poetry,
--------Singing and Entertainment,
--------Backgammon and Chess,
--------Racing and Archery.

---Chapter [21]. The Hijrah,
----------1st Year of the Hijrah,
----------2nd Year of the Hijrah,
----------3rd Year of the Hijrah,
----------4th Year of the Hijrah,
----------5th Year of the Hijrah,
----------6th Year of the Hijrah,
----------7th Year of the Hijrah,
----------8th Year of the Hijrah,
----------9th Year of the Hijrah,
----------10th Year of the Hijrah,
----------11th Year of the Hijrah.
--------Military Expeditions,
--------History.