The Goal and Bringing It Close  - A Translation of Matn Abī Shujāʿ (Al-Ghāyah wa al-Taqrīb)

Matn Abi Shujaʿ (al-Ghāyah wa al-Taqrīb) is one of the most widely studied texts in Shāfiʿī jurisprudence. For centuries, it has served as a concise manual for students of Islamic law, valued for its clarity and structure.

This new English translation by Daud Abdur-Rahman Burke was prepared with teachers and English-speaking students in mind. The goal is not an exact word-for-word rendering, but a translation that is clear, accessible, and faithful to the spirit of the original Arabic.

To aid comprehension, the translator has:

• Relied primarily on Fatḥ al-Qarīb al-Mujīb by Ibn Qāsim al-Ghazī and al-Iqnāʿ by al-Khaṭīb al-Shirbīnī.
• Included clarifying pronouns and explanatory notes where the Arabic is concise.
• Provided footnotes indicating differences from the relied-upon (muʿtamid) positions of the Shāfiʿī madhhab.
• Used simple English equivalents for technical terms, gradually introducing the Arabic terms as the text progresses.
• Presented the complete Arabic text alongside the translation, with boxes distinguishing Arabic from English.
• Formatted rulings and conditions in lists for ease of study and memorization.

This edition is intended to make the study of Shāfiʿī fiqh smoother and more rewarding for teachers and students alike. It seeks to provide an accessible path to understanding, while maintaining accuracy and connection to the classical tradition.

“I place my trust in Allah and pray that He accepts this work, blesses it, and makes it a source of benefit for future students and teachers.”