Sheikh Ibn Ja'far and his jurisprudential approach in the book Al-Jami' (Chapters of Worship as a sample (

Abstract

The study aims to highlight the scholarly contribution of one of the leading figures in Eastern Ibadi jurisprudence, Sheikh Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jafar al-Darmaki al-Azkiwi (alive in 280 AH), and his methodology as presented in his work "Al-Jami'". It explores his impact on Ibadi jurisprudence specifically, and Islamic jurisprudence in general. The study is structured into four sections: introduction to the Sheikh and his book, his methodology in writing and reasoning. This study uses descriptive and inductive methods. The study concludes that Sheikh Ibn Ja'far is among the foremost scholars of Ibadi jurisprudence in the Eastern regions during the third century AH. His work "al-Jami'" (comprising 9 volumes) stands as one of the pioneering encyclopedic works in jurisprudence, marking the beginning of comparative jurisprudential studies. His approach involves quoting the opinions of his predecessors, such as Imam Ja'far ibn Zaid, Abu 'Ubaydah, Wael, Abu Safrah, and Muhammad ibn Mahbub, while sometimes choosing what he considers correct, employing various expressions. He also cites statements from the Companions and the Successors, supporting them with evidence from the Quran or Sunnah. His work includes dialogues and correspondences with his Sheikh Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Mahbub, adopting many of their arguments as evidence, though occasionally differing with them. Additionally, he discusses the opinions of his contemporaries, such as Abu al-Mu'thar and Abu al-Hawari. His method typically begins each chapter with a verse or hadith, commenting on the text and branching it with opinions of scholars on the matter. Sometimes, he simply presents the issue descriptively before exploring its various possible interpretations, concluding the rules or including opinions of some scholars.