A translation of Abū Shujā‘ah al-Aṣfahānī’s introduction to classical Islamic law. This enduring classic covers the full range of basic topics within the Shāfi‘ī school of law. It includes the full Arabic text and notes to point out where later Shāfi‘ī jurists have differed from the author, Imām al-Nawawī’s preferences, and minor clarifications and explanations.