Specialized Sciences of Al-Shafi’i (d. 204/820): Reformation unto Modern Epoch

This study attempts to explore and understand specialized science in the perspectives of al-Shafi’i. It also aims to study development of al-Shafi’i’s thought of specialized sciences towards modern thought of Muslim scholars. From the collection of primary data sources, this study precedes data analysis by al-Shafi’i’s thought regarding classification of knowledge. Then, data are presented in order to understand and differentiate the specialized sciences pertaining to al-Shafi’i. This paper attempts to explore and analysis the formation of specialized sciences from classical to modern scholars. Then, proceeds by synthesis of nature, sources, scope and concept of specialized sciences developed by scholars. Moreover, this study process reformation stage of specialized sciences from modern Muslim scholars like Syed Naquib al-Attas and Mohd Kamal Hassan. The findings indicate that al-Shafi’i classifies knowledge into two major categories, i.e. common science and specialized science. Then, the attention of knowledge in al-Shafi’i’s thought is upon specialized sciences where the direction of al-Risalah is. In addition, al-Shafi’i understands knowledge latitudes and knowledge seeker of specialized sciences is upon accountability of expertise of a specialized group. The findings also demonstrate that there are influences between specialized sciences besides collective obligations, probable science (haqq al-zahir), science of consensus (‘ilm al-ijma’), and science of divergences (‘ilm al-ikhtilaf). Additionally, improvement of specialized sciences of al-Shafi’i has inspired modern scholars to introduce and execute Islamization; a process of way forward. This study is noteworthy in order to perceive the understanding of specialized sciences as proposed by al-Shafi’i; in the context of reformation to modern epoch.