The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair showcases a selection of its premier 2025 publications, including the notable “Research and Essays by the Distinguished Scholar Ahmed Fahmi Abu Sunnah” (died 2003).
This book presents an exemplary model from the pioneering scholars, notably Sheikh Ahmed Fahmi Abu Sunnah, who was renowned for his diligent and insightful scholarship. The prominent scholar devoted himself to safeguarding Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and its principles, advancing its methodologies, and evolving its pedagogic approaches, leaving behind a scholarly legacy that merits study and emulation.
The book includes a vast array of articles spread across nine chapters. The first chapter, “In the Realms of the Quran and the Prophetic Biography,” explores topics such as the continuous transmission of the Quran, its implications and benefits, divine rituals, and the manhood of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). The second chapter, “Foundations in Fiqh and Legislation,” delves into two main discussions: “Integrating Jurisprudence into Daily Life” and “Protecting Islamic Jurisprudence.”
The third chapter concentrates on the objectives of legislation, discussing the purposes of Sharia, the foundational interests that shape rulings, understanding the objectives and benefits of these rulings, the legislator’s intentions behind the rulings, aesthetic purposes, historical perspectives on objectives, assessing benefits and harms, criteria for evaluating benefits and harms, and the distinction between legitimate, rational, and sensual interests. It also examines the criteria for benefits and harms from the perspectives of Sunni and Mu’tazilite scholars, as well as evidence supporting the objectives of Sharia.
“Under the title ‘Fundamentals of Jurisprudence,’ the fourth chapter of the book explores the prioritization of absolute interest over the Quran and Sunnah, framing it as legislation based on whims. The fifth chapter delves into Islamic political theory, focusing on the role of state constitutions from an Islamic viewpoint.”
Under the title “Fundamentals of Jurisprudence,” the fourth chapter of the book explores the prioritization of overarching benefits over the Quran and Sunnah. The fifth chapter delves into Islamic political theory, focusing on the role of state constitutions from an Islamic viewpoint.
The sixth chapter offers in-depth research in Islamic jurisprudence, addressing topics such as the definition of ownership in Islam, the public registration of transactions within legal and Sharia frameworks, the concept of abuse in exercising rights, and the importance of justice in financial dealings as an objective of Islam. It also explores whether intramuscular and intravenous injections break the fast and examines the religious rulings on treatments involving blood transfusions or the transplantation of organs or parts of the body.
The seventh chapter investigates issues related to usury and relevant matters. It covers usury and banking deposits through the lens of jurisprudential facts and evidence, critiques and reviews concerning usury, profits from investment deposits, and the principles of investment certificates within the scope of Islamic jurisprudence, distinguishing between what is permissible and what is prohibited.
The eighth chapter delves into a variety of topics under the title “From the Jurisprudence of the Quran and Sunnah: Discussions on Jurisprudential Issues.” It examines issues such as the appropriate punishment for a delinquent debtor, which it argues should be imprisonment rather than a financial fine; the obligation of zakat on real estate earnings; rulings on real estate zakat; the regulations concerning a woman’s hijab and her legal guardianship; and the resolution of conflicts between the Quran and Sunnah, along with responses to multiple scholarly inquiries.
The ninth and final chapter explores themes in Islamic economics, addressing three main areas: the essential nature and practical reality of Islamic economics; the role of insurance during emergencies and disasters from an Islamic and economic viewpoint; and an analysis of Islamic banks and corporations.
The Muslim Council of Elders is participating with a special stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand features a wide array of the Council’s distinguished publications, in addition to hosting a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of kindness, love, peace, and communal coexistence among all people.
The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair is located next to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s stand, in Heritage Hall (Hall No. 4), at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in the Fifth Settlement.