Imam Nawawî in the history of Islamic law and his fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) preferences

A renowned Islamic jurist and Hadith Scholar, Imam Nawawi (631–676 A.H./1234–1277) took lessons from the distinguished figures of his time not only in Damascus but also in the neighbouring cities. He is known for having gained high authority in many branches of Islamic sciences, particularly in Fiqh and Hadith. Having earned a justified reputation with his high scientific personality, superior intelligence and understanding, high level of virtue, asceticism, piety and distinguished works, Nawawi achieved a significant place in the history of Islamic Law. Imam Nawawi also played a remarkable role in the development of the Shafi'i madhhab, which is one of the four major Islamic sects known as the Ahl al-Sunnah. It was Nawawi himself who represented the Shafi'i sect in the century he lived. He made various judicial opinions, or ijtihads, within the sect, gave fatwas, even reaching the level of making preferences between different views in this sect. His works have been considered to be the most reliable ones in the Shafi'i sect, and there are known to be many annotations and footnotes written about them. Thanks to the commendable efforts of Imam Nawawi, the Shafi'i sect has taken its current form. The present thesis examines Imam Nawawi's scientific personality, his works in the field of fiqh, apart from his preferences and evaluations regarding fiqh issues. This thesis also seeks to determine the contributions made by Nawawi to the science of Islamic fiqh by analysing his own works, as well as other major works associated with him, including the annotations and footnotes written on his works. Finally, the present study aims to reveal the impacts of his fiqh-related studies upon the Shafi'i sect and how Shafi'i circles have evaluated these studies in the ensuing periods.