Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi

Imam Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi was an Andalusian Sunni Islamic legal scholar following the Maliki madhhab. He died 1388 (8th Shabaan 790 H) in Granada.Imam Shatibi's full name was "Ibrahim bin Mosa bin Muhammad al-Shatibi al-Gharnati". His family's descent was from the Banu Lakhm. His Kuniyat was "Abu Ishaq" and his surnames were "Al-Lakhmi", "Al-Gharnati", "Al-Maliki" and "As-Shatibi". The date of his birth and place is unknown. However, one of his surnames, "As-Shatibi", points to the city Jativa, which indicates that he was a descendant of the migrants from that town in Granada. In Alexandria Egypt, there is a suburb, called Ash Shatibi (or Al Shatby). There is also a particular spot in that suburb a few hundred meters south-southeast of the Biblitheca Alexandrina, (the Library of Alexandria) where it is said that Imam Ash Shatibi is buried. Google Earth has it bookmarked and mapped.

His teachers

His teachers include well known scholars of their times:
# Imam ibn al-Fakhar al-Abeeri.
# Abu al-Qasim Al-Satti
# Imam Abu Abdullah al-tilmasani
# Imam Abu Abdullah al-Maqri
# Shaikh Abu Saeed bin Lab
# Imam Jaleel bin Marzooq
# Abu Ali Mansoor bin Mohammed al-Zidawi
# Abu Abdullah al-Bilnasi
# Abu Jafar al-Shoqoori
# Abu Al-Abbas al-Qabbab
# Abu Adullah al-Hafaar

His Books

He learned from very prominent scholars of his time. He became master in Arabic language and Ijtihad and research at a very early age. He used to discuss various topics with his teachers before arriving to any conclusion.
#"Al-Aitesaam" This famous book of Imam Shatibi is the ultimate encyclopedia of Elm-Taweed and Elm-Aqaeed. It consists of 10 chapters. The introduction is written by Syed Rasheed Radha Al-Misri. This mammoth book of Taweed was published by Dar al-Kutb Al-Arabiya (Qairo 1331H / 1913 AC).
#"Al-Muwafiqaat fi Usool al-Sharia" This is also one of Imam Shatibi's best known books. It is on the topic of Usul al-fiqh - Islamic Jurisprudence and Maqasid Al-Sharia (higher objectives). It was published by Dawlat Al-Tunisia (1302 H Tunisia) in four volumes.
#"Shara ala al-Khutasa" This book is about Elm-Nahu.
#"Al-Itifaq fi Elm al-Ishtiqaq" This book was on the topic of Elm-Sarf, but it was lost during his life.
#"Kitab al-Majalis" This book included commentary on Sahih Bukhari book al-Kitab Al-Biyooh.
#"Kitab Al-ifidaat wa Al-inshadaat" This book included two volumes on Literature.

References

* Muhammad Khalid Masud, "Islamic Legal Philosophy: A Study of Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi's Life and Thought", McGill University 1977
*Dr. Ahmad Raysuni, "Imam Shatibi's Theory of the Higher Objectives and Intents of Islamic Law translated by Nancy Roberts", publisher IIIT.