The study of Ibn ?ibb?n’s legal theory, particularly as outlined in the introduction to his ?a??? and known as al-Taq?sim wa-l-Anw?? (the divisions and categories), is crucial for a deeper understanding of Islamic legal theory and ?ad?th studies. Despite its significance, this aspect of Ibn ?ibb?n’s work has largely been overlooked by contemporary scholars, primarily due to the limited recognition of his explicit legal opinions within the broader Islamic legal tradition. This article seeks to provide an in-depth overview of one such division, i.e., al-aw?mir (commands) from ?a??? Ibn ?ibb?n, within the framework of ?ad?th study and Islamic legal theory, commonly known as us??l al-fiqh. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, the study focuses on the Kit?b al-?Ilm (Book of Knowledge) from ?a??? Ibn ?ibb?n to explore Ibn ?ibb?n’s unique categorizations (al-taq?sim and al-anw??). This involves a detailed examination of the epistemic and moral frameworks that he established, with particular attention to the modalities of commands, such as obligations, and their alignment with the principle of piety central to ta?awwuf (Islamic spirituality). The analysis reveals that Ibn ?ibb?n’s approach closely associates obligatory commands with the Qur??n, suggesting that his framework aims to achieve a state of piety rooted in Quranic teachings. The findings indicate that the al-aw?mir division and its corresponding categories not only serve to provide legal directives but also function as a spiritual guide, promoting a life of virtue and obedience to divine teachings. Further research is proposed to expand on these findings by examining additional divisions within ?a??? Ibn ?ibb?n, comparing them with other Islamic legal traditions, and exploring their implications for contemporary Islamic jurisprudence and spirituality. This will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of Ibn ?ibb?n’s contributions and the role of ?ad?th in shaping Islamic legal and ethical thought.
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