The Encompassing Epistle in Fiqh (Al-Risalah Al-Jami'ah)

Al-Risalah Al-Jami’ah of Ahmad ibn Zayn al-Habashi, a well known scholar from the Hadrami tradition, is a concise yet comprehensive primer on essential Islamic rulings, covering aspects of worship (ibadah), transactions (mu’amalat), and ethics (akhlaq) according to the Shafi’i school of thought.

Key Features of Al-Risalah Al-Jami’ah:

1. Beginner-Friendly:

   • Designed as an introductory text for students of Shafi’i Fiqh.
   • Written in a straightforward and accessible style.

2. Comprehensive Coverage:

   • Discusses the five pillars of Islam (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj).
   • Covers purification (taharah), prayer (salah), fasting (sawm), and other fundamental acts of worship.

3. Hadrami Influence:

   • Commonly studied in Hadramawt, Yemen, and East African scholarly circles.
   • Often paired with Safinat al-Najah, another introductory Shafi’i Fiqh text.

4. Foundation for Advanced Studies:

   • Serves as a stepping stone to more detailed texts like Matn Abi Shuja’ and Mughni al-Muhtaj.