Definition
Man-Lā-Yastaḥẓirahu ʾl-Faqīh (from Arabic: من لا يستحضره الفقيه) is a seminal book of Shīʿah traditions (ahādīth) compiled by Saiyid Rāzī in A.H. 406 (1015 A.D.). This text is considered one of the four primary books of Shīʿah Islam (al-Kutub al-Arba‘a), alongside Al-Kāfi, Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām, and Al-Istibṣār. The title translates to “He Who is Not Attended by a Theologian," indicating the work’s purpose as a handbook of jurisprudence and religious practice for lay believers without immediate access to scholars.
Etymology
The title “Man-Lā-Yastaḥẓirahu ʾl-Faqīh” consists of several components:
- Man (من): “Who” or “Whom”;
- Lā (لا): “Not”;
- Yastaḥẓirahu (يستحضره): Derived from the root Ḥ-Ḍ-R, meaning “to be present” or “to attend”;
- al-Faqīh (الفقيه): “The Jurist” or “The Theologian.”
Thus, the entire phrase can be understood to mean, “The One Who is Not Attended by the Jurist.”
Background
Saiyid Rāzī, also known as Ibn Bābawayh, was an eminent Shīʿah scholar renowned for his contribution to Shīʿah hadith literature. His compilation aimed at making religious traditions more accessible to general practitioners of Islam, enabling them to adhere to Islamic law and theology independently.
Cultural Significance
Culturally, Man-Lā-Yastaḥẓirahu ʾl-Faqīh has played a pivotal role in shaping Shīʿah Islamic praxis:
- Authenticity: Regarded as highly authentic, it draws directly from primary sources close to the time of the Imāms.
- Jurisprudence Aid: Assists lay Shīʿah Muslims in grasping key religious edicts.
- Educational Text: Used extensively in religious education within Shīʿah communities.
Cultural Similarities and Differences
Compared to Sunni counterparts:
- Similarities: Like Sunni collections (e.g., Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī), it seeks to preserve teachings for posterity.
- Differences: It caters specifically to the Shīʿah school of thought, focusing on narratives relevant to followers of the Twelve Imāms.
Synonyms
- Al-Faqīh (The Jurist)
- Al-Muḥaddith (The Compiler)
- Hadith collections (Aṣfār al-Aḥadīth)
Antonyms
- Non-hadith Texts (e.g., Kalām Treatises)
- Secular Literature
Related Terms with Definitions
- Hadith (حديث): Sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
- Shīʿah (شيعة): The branch of Islam that regards Ali and his descendants as the legitimate leaders of the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
- Imām (إمام): Spiritual and temporal leader in Shīʿah Islam, regarded as divinely appointed.
Exciting Facts
- Holistic Approach: Man-Lā-Yastaḥẓirahu ʾl-Faqīh includes not only legal rulings but also ethical teachings and esoteric knowledge.
- Educational Transformation: It has transformed religious education, making it possible for non-scholars to access critical theological knowledge.
- Historical Preservation: Offers a unique window into lived beliefs and practices of early Shīʿah communities.
Quotations
“The Jurist’s book shall be the guiding lamp for those who wander in the darkness of ignorance.” — Anonymous Scholar
“Man-Lā-Yastaḥẓirahu ʾl-Faqīh stands as a beacon in the ocean of Shīʿah wisdom.” — Fatimah Al-Fattaḥ
Suggested Further Studies
Literature
- “The Four Books of Shīʿah Hadith” by Abū Jaʿfar Al-Ṭūsī
- “An Introduction to Shīʿah Islamic Law” by Bashir Al-Amīn
- “Hadith: An Entryway to Sunni and Shīʿah Traditions” by Kamaluddin Al-Ghazali
Academic Journals
- Journal of Islamic Studies
- Islamic Law and Society
- Shīʿah Studies Review
Online Resources
Avoiding links as per guidelines, one could turn to reputable academic institutions’ digital libraries and Islamic thought publishers for relevant collections of Qurʾānic and hadith literature.
Quizzes
May your exploration into this rich tradition bring you closer to the vast ocean of Islamic wisdom and heritage.
Reference Manual: Embrace the Riveting Tapestry of Islamic Tradition
- Saiyid Rāzī, Man-Lā-Yastaḥẓirahu ʾl-Faqīh, 1015 A.D.
Published by ✨ Proseful Resources✨ October 3, 2023
