The Hajj Rituals Manuscript (Manasik) of Sheikh Abi Al-Irshad Al-Ujhuri (d. 1066 AH): An Analytical Study and Critical Editing of the First Half

Abstract

This research addresses the jurisprudential aspect of the Hajj rituals manuscript (Manasik) authored by Sheikh Abi Al-Irshad Nur al-Din Ali bin Muhammad al-Ajhuri (d. 1066 AH). The study provides a comprehensive biography of Sheikh Al-Ajhuri, exploring his lineage, birth, upbringing, and his most prominent teachers and students. It highlights his esteemed scholarly status, cataloging his numerous publications and treatises, while firmly verifying the attribution of this manuscript to him and outlining his specific methodology. Furthermore, the research involves the critical editing and textual verification (Tahqiq) of the text by collating three distinct manuscript copies, accompanied by scholarly commentary to clarify ambiguities and enhance articulation. The significance of this topic lies in the author's high scholarly standing; he was a fundamental Maliki jurist, the chief mufti of the Maliki school in Egypt, and an authority for both the Islamic East and West. The manuscript is uniquely characterized by its simplicity and accessibility in describing the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, presenting essential rulings that are indispensable for every pilgrim. The primary objective of this research is to critically edit, publish, and preserve Sheikh Al-Ajhuri’s text for contemporary benefit. Ultimately, the study yields several key findings, most notably: the manuscript's concise focus on essential Hajj rituals and practical rulings while deliberately avoiding exhaustive jurisprudential minutiae. It stands out for its fluent and lucid style, as well as its precise chronological arrangement, systematically ordering the rituals from start to finish based on their sequential performance.