In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Blessings and peace be upon the noblest of the Prophets and Messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon all his family and Companions.
This is a detailed summary of what was covered in this part of the explanation of al-Risalah by Imam al-Shafi’i, focusing on the important points and clarifications, supplemented with some additions and clarifications that help in understanding the question more deeply.
The chapter on knowledge and the second category of knowledge (the branches of the obligations):
Imam al-Shafi’i continues his discussion of the categories of knowledge, having spoken in the previous session about the general knowledge of which no sane adult may be ignorant (what is known of the religion by necessity).
- The question about the second category of knowledge: The interlocutor asks about the second category of knowledge, after the first category (general, necessary knowledge) has been clarified.
- The second category: the branches of the obligations that befall people: Al-Shafi’i answers that the second category is the branches of the obligations and rulings that arise for people and on which there is no text of the Book or mass-transmitted Sunnah; if a sunnah has been narrated on them, it is from the solitary reports (the “reports of the few”).
- Clarifying what is meant by “reports of the few” (akhbar al-khassah): Al-Shafi’i makes clear that “reports of the few” here does not mean the reports of specific named individuals; rather, it means solitary reports (akhbar al-ahad), that is, reports that came through a single narrator or a small number that does not reach the level of mass transmission. This differs from the “reports of the many,” which yield certain knowledge.
- The sources of this category of knowledge: Al-Shafi’i explains that this category of knowledge is established through three means:
- The solitary report: which is the basis in this category.
- Interpretation (ta’wil): understanding the legal texts and deriving rulings from them.
- Analogy (qiyas): joining what has no text to what has a text because they share the effective cause (‘illah) of the ruling.
- The levels of knowledge in this category: Al-Shafi’i explains that this category of knowledge is not like the necessary knowledge that everyone must know, nor like supererogatory knowledge, whose neglect carries no sin; rather, it is an intermediate level:
- It does not reach the general public.
- Some of the specialists among the people of knowledge are charged with it.
- The specialists may not neglect it entirely; rather, a group of them must undertake it.
- If enough of the specialists undertake it, the sin is lifted from the rest.
- Merit belongs to whoever undertakes it over whoever does not because of inability or preoccupation.
- Clarifying what is meant by “neglect” (ta’til): Al-Shafi’i makes clear that what is meant by neglect here is not denial or negation, but rather inability, or failing to undertake it despite being able.
Examples of this category of knowledge (communal obligations):
Al-Shafi’i gives examples to clarify this category of knowledge, focusing on communal obligations (furud al-kifayah).
- Jihad as a communal obligation: Al-Shafi’i explains that jihad is an obligation in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet, and that mobilization (going out for jihad) is of two kinds:
- General mobilization: this is defensive jihad, which is obligatory on all Muslims when the enemy attacks the lands of Islam.
- Specific mobilization (expeditions): this is offensive jihad (jihad al-talab), undertaken by a group of Muslims to fight the enemy in its own lands.
- Evidence from the verses and hadiths for the obligation of jihad: Al-Shafi’i cites verses and hadiths indicating the obligation of jihad, such as the saying of the Exalted: “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise” (Surat al-Tawbah 9:111), and the hadith “I will continue to fight the people until they say: There is no god but Allah.”
- Reconciling the evidence and showing that jihad is a communal obligation: Al-Shafi’i explains that the apparent meaning of the verses indicates that jihad is obligatory on everyone, but since there are other verses and hadiths indicating that mobilization is by a group of the Muslims, it is understood that what is meant is a communal obligation; that is, if some undertake it, the sin is lifted from the rest. He cites the saying of the Exalted: “And it is not for the believers to go forth [to battle] all at once. For there should separate from every division of them a group [remaining] to obtain understanding in the religion and warn [i.e., advise] their people when they return to them that they might be cautious” (Surat al-Tawbah 9:122).
- Other examples of communal obligations: Al-Shafi’i points to other examples of communal obligations, such as the funeral prayer, seeking knowledge of the Shariah, becoming proficient in certain professions, and pursuing certain natural sciences.
- The Ummah’s responsibility for communal obligations: Al-Shafi’i makes clear that the whole Ummah is responsible for fulfilling the communal obligations: whoever is able is required to do them, and whoever is unable is required to urge others to them and to censure those who fall short in them. He cites the saying of the Exalted: “If you do not go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment” (Surat al-Tawbah 9:39), explaining that the address is general but what is meant by it is a group of the Muslims.
- The danger of neglecting communal obligations: Al-Shafi’i warns of the danger of neglecting communal obligations, since this can bring the whole Ummah into sin.
Conclusion:
In this part, Imam al-Shafi’i sets out the second category of knowledge, known as the branches of the obligations or communal obligations. He explains the sources of this category and how it is established, gives examples of it such as jihad and certain sciences and professions, and sets out the Ummah’s responsibility for fulfilling these obligations and the danger of neglecting them.
Some additional benefits:
- Clarifying the categories of knowledge according to al-Shafi’i.
- Explaining the concept of the communal obligation and its importance.
- Clarifying the difference between the individual obligation (fard ‘ayn) and the communal obligation (fard kifayah).
- Explaining the Ummah’s responsibility for communal obligations.
- Warning of the danger of neglecting communal obligations.
We ask Allah the Exalted to grant us success in understanding His Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet ﷺ, and to keep us firm upon the truth until we meet Him.
All parts of Summary of the Explanation of al-Risala by Shaykh Dr. Ahmad al-Naqeeb