Muwatta, al-
Definition
The Muwatta, al- is the oldest surviving compendium of Islamic religious law authored by Malik ibn Anas al-Asbahi (d. 795), who is the eponymous founder of the Maliki school of law. The text cites various hadiths (reports of the sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad) on specific topics but bases the final legal ruling on the practices prevalent in the Medinan school of thought.
Etymology and Translations
- Etymology: The term Muwatta (Arabic: الموطأ) means “The Well-Trodden Path” or “The Approved.”
- Arabic: الموطأ (al-Muwatta')
- Turkish: Muvaltaf
Historical Significance
The Muwatta, al- holds a significant place in Islamic jurisprudence owing to its age and comprehensive nature. It is one of the primary sources that informed the development of the Maliki school of thought. Malik ibn Anas is known for maintaining stringent criteria when evaluating hadiths; only narrators considered reliable and trustworthy were cited in this seminal work.
Contents and Structure
The Muwatta, al- covers a wide range of topics, including worship, business transactions, marriage, criminal law, and various social issues. Each topic is addressed by presenting relevant hadiths, followed by the legal rulings endorsed by the Medinan practice.
Importance in Islamic Law
One of the most crucial aspects of the Muwatta, al- is its reliance on the practice of the people of Medina, who were considered to be closest in tradition to the Prophet Muhammad. Malik’s insistence on rigorously authenticated hadiths solidified the Muwatta’s authority and reliability in Islamic jurisprudence.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Al-Muwatta Of Imam Malik Ibn Anas: The First Formulation Of Islamic Law” by Malik ibn Anas, translated by Aisha Bewley.
- “The Origins of Muhammadan Jurisprudence” by Joseph Schacht.
- “Early Islam: A Critical Reconstruction Based on Contemporary Sources” by Karl-Heinz Ohlig.
Takeaways
- Authorship: Malik ibn Anas is a pivotal figure in Islamic law, particularly as the founder of the Maliki school of law.
- Reliability: Malik adhered to very strict hadith authentication standards, making his work highly respected.
- Medinan Practice: The Muwatta is distinctive for its reliance on the customs of the Medinan people, who lived in close proximity to the Prophet Muhammad’s own practices and teachings.
Conclusion
The Muwatta, al- is an invaluable text in the corpus of Islamic legal literature, representing an early yet sophisticated attempt to codify various aspects of Islamic law. Malik ibn Anas’s rigorous methodology and reliance on the Medinan practice make the Muwatta a trusted and revered legal source that continues to be studied and referenced in Islamic legal discourse.
Example of a Legal Ruling
In the Muwatta, Malik tough calls on various practices, such as the prohibition of charging interest (Riba). He proclaims, “Any loan that attracts a benefit is Riba,” insisting on equity and justice in financial transactions—a testament to the ethical and social considerations embedded in Islamic law.
