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Tahdhib al-usul (book)

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Tahdhib al-usul (Arabic: Template:Lang) is a three-volume textbook written by Ja'far Subhani Tabrizi in Arabic, which contains transcripts of Imam Khomeini's lectures on usul al-fiqh. The book features an endorsement (taqriz) by Imam Khomeini and covers all topics of usul al-fiqh except for takhyir, istishab, ta'adul wa tarjih, the rule of tajawuz and faragh, the rule of asalat al-sihha, and the rule of qur'a.

Importance

The book Tahdhib al-usul is the result of the transcriber's participation in two periods of Imam Khomeini's advanced courses (dars kharij) on usul in the Qom Seminary. The first period of Imam Khomeini's advanced course on usul began in 1364 AH and concluded in 1370 AH. The second period commenced immediately after the first and continued until 1377 AH.[1] Subhani, who was present during the last three years of the first period, began writing the book, and during the second period, he added new insights from the teacher to the text, which comprise the main body of the book. The writing of the book was completed in 1382 AH.[2] This book is the first nearly complete compilation of usul al-fiqh based on Imam Khomeini's advanced lectures, the first volume of which was reviewed, corrected, and published with an endorsement by Imam Khomeini during that time. In his endorsement, Imam Khomeini described the transcriber as "the possessor of piercing intellect and sound judgment," praising his refined taste and talent.[3]

One of the characteristics of the book, which reflects the teacher's approach to the science of usul al-fiqh, is the refinement (tahdhib) of usul topics. For this reason, Imam Khomeini, following his customary method of refining usul issues, omitted many topics in the second teaching period that he had explained in the previous period[4] and avoided pursuing certain subjects further due to their lengthiness.[5]

Author

Ja'far Subhani Tabrizi was born on April 9, 1929 (Farvardin 20, 1308 Sh) in Tabriz. He completed his classical education and introductory seminary studies in Tabriz and migrated to Qom in 1946 (1325 Sh) to continue his education in the advanced levels of the seminary. During his studies, he benefited from professors such as Sayyid Husayn Burujirdi, Sayyid Muhammad Hujjat Kuhkamara'i, Sayyid Kazim Shari'atmadari, and Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i. From 1949 to 1958 (1328 to 1337 Sh), he attended a small part of the first period and the entirety of the second period of Imam Khomeini's advanced lectures on usul.[6]

Due to his close relationship with Imam Khomeini, Subhani published his transcripts of the advanced usul courses with the approval of his teacher under the title "Tahdhib al-usul."[7] Parallel to his studies, Subhani also engaged in teaching; including seven periods of Sheikh Murtada Ansari's Rasa'il, five periods of Sharh al-manzuma, as well as Asfar, and several periods of Makasib and Kifayat al-usul. Since 1975 (1354 Sh), he has been teaching advanced fiqh and usul, alongside miscellaneous sciences such as the science of rijal and diraya.[8]

Structure

The book Tahdhib al-usul has been published in three volumes in the Arabic language. The first volume of the book spans from the introduction to the science of usul al-fiqh to the end of the discussion on commands (awamir). The second volume covers the discussion on prohibitions (nawahi) up to the end of the discussion on speculative evidence (zann). The third volume begins with the discussion on exoneration (bara'at) and concludes with two treatises on the rule of la darar and the discussion on Ijtihad and Taqlid.[9]

Content Overview

Tahdhib al-usul was written by Ja'far Subhani Tabrizi and, in its latest edition, has been published in three volumes edited and organized by the Institute for Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works. At the beginning of all volumes of the book, the publication details are placed.

The first volume of the book begins with the "Introduction of Investigation" (Muqaddimat al-tahqiq), which briefly notes the status of the book and the transcriber, as well as the distinct features of this edition compared to other publications. Following that is a brief introduction by the author and the endorsement by Imam Khomeini. The main topics of this volume include the introductory discussions and the objective of commands (awamir).

In the introduction, the topics covered are the definition of the science of usul, the definition of coinage (wad'), the types of wad', literal and figurative usage (haqiqat wa majaz), shari'a literalism (haqiqat shar'iyya), the valid and the general (sahih wa a'amm), homonymy (lafz mushtarak), the usage of a word in more than one meaning, and the derivative (mushtaq).

The first destination, which is the discussion on commands, comprises the discussions on the substance and form of commands, sufficiency (ijza'), the prerequisite of an obligation (muqaddimat al-wajib), the types of obligation (absolute and conditional, suspended and actualized, intrinsic and extrinsic, primary and secondary), the issue of the opposite (didd), the object of commands and prohibitions, disjunctive obligation (wajib takhyiri), collective obligation (wajib kifa'i), and absolute and timed obligation.[10]

The second volume begins with the author's introduction. Following that is the second destination, namely the topic of prohibitions, which includes: the form of prohibition, co-presence of command and prohibition (ijtima' al-amr wa al-nahy), and the indication or non-indication of a prohibition on invalidity (fasad).

The third destination, which is the discussion on concepts (mafahim), encompasses the discussions on the definition of concept, the concept of condition (shart), the concept of description (wasf), the concept of limit (ghayat), and the concept of exception (istithna').

The fourth destination (the discussion on the general and the specific [ʻamm wa khass]) comprises these topics: the authority of a specified general term in other cases, the extension of the ambiguity of the specifying factor to the general term, the impermissibility of adhering to the general term before searching for the specifying factor, oral addresses, specifying the general term by a concept, and specifying the Book by khabar wahid.

The fifth destination (the absolute and the restricted [mutlaq wa muqayyad]) also contains these matters: the definition of the absolute and the restricted, certain specific absolute terms, the premises of wisdom (muqaddimat al-hikma), and applying the absolute to the restricted.

The sixth destination (the valid intellectual and legal proofs) includes two sections: certainty (qat') and speculation (zann). The section on certainty comprises the following subjects: the authority of certainty, audacity (tajarri), the divisions of certainty, the standing of evidence and principles in place of certainty, intentional conformity (muwafaqat iltizamiyya), and summary knowledge (ilm ijmali). The section on speculation also includes these topics: the possibility of servitude to speculation, authority of appearances (hujjiyyat al-zawahir), the authority of lexicographer statements, transmitted consensus, popular juristic opinion (shuhrat fatawiyya), and the authority of khabar wahid.[11]

The third volume includes part of the seventh destination (on practical principles, including the principle of exoneration and the principle of occupation [ishtighal]) up to the end of the discussion on objective doubt in the relative minimum and maximum (aqall wa akthar irtibati) and two treatises on Rule of La Darar and the discussion on ijtihad and taqlid.

The discussion on exoneration contains these materials: stating the states of the accountable person and the course of the principles, the reason for prioritizing evidence over principles, the argument of the jurists of usul for exoneration (including arguments from verses, traditions, consensus, and intellect), and the argument of the Akhbaris for the obligation of precaution (including arguments from verses, traditions, and intellect). At the end of the discussion on exoneration, there are warnings (tanbihat) which include these titles: prioritizing the objective principle over exoneration, the merit of precaution, and the rotation of the matter between two prohibitions.

The discussion on doubt regarding the obligated task is presented in two stations: the rotation of the matter between two mutually exclusive entities (including the discussion on definitive opposition, definitive conformity, the difference between legal addresses and personal addresses, and unconfined doubt), and the relative minimum and maximum. At the end of this section, a conclusion titled the conditions for the flow of principles is provided.

The treatise Nayl al-awtar in explaining the rule of la darar wa la dirar includes these discussions: relevant hadiths, the jurisprudence of hadith (fiqh al-hadith), and warnings.

The treatise on ijtihad and taqlid also contains these contents: the offices of the jurist (ifta', qada', and hukumah), the eligible individual for ifta', the evidence for the necessity of following the most knowledgeable (a'lam), the condition of life in the mufti, and the discussion on the change of ijtihad.

At the end of the third volume, a index of verses, a index of traditions, and a index of sources are provided.[12]

The table of contents of each volume is provided at the end of that same volume.

Publication Status

The book Tahdhib al-usul (transcripts of Imam Khomeini's lectures on usul al-fiqh) written by Ja'far Subhani in Arabic in three volumes in وزيرى (Vaziri) format with a hardcover has been published three times by the Institute for Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works: the first volume in the years 1381, 1387, and 1403 Sh; the second volume in the years 1381, 1388, and 1403 Sh; and the third volume in the years 1382, 1388, and 1403 Sh.[13]

Prior to its publication by the Institute for Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, this book was also published by other publishers. The first publication of the book was by Isma'iliyan Publications in 1382 AH in three volumes. Daftare Entisharate Islami, affiliated with the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom, also published this book in two volumes in 1363 Sh.[14] Dar al-Fikr Publications also published this book in three volumes in 1367 Sh.[15] Maktabat al-Muhammadiyya Publications also published this book in three volumes. The year of this publication is unknown.[16]

Notes

  1. ↑ Amīn, Mustadrakāt A'yān al-Shī'a, vol. 3, p. 81.
  2. ↑ Subḥānī, Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, vol. 3, p. 689.
  3. ↑ Subḥānī, Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, vol. 1, p. 4–7.
  4. ↑ For example, see: Subḥānī, Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, vol. 2, p. 352, 362, and vol. 3, p. 278.
  5. ↑ For example, see: Subḥānī, Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, vol. 3, p. 36.
  6. ↑ Rāyiḥa, p. 7–8, 36.
  7. ↑ Subḥānī, Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, vol. 1, p. 4–7.
  8. ↑ Ḥarīm-i Imām, "Ṣāḥib al-fikr al-thāqib", p. 5; Subhani, Hawzah Information Base.
  9. ↑ Subḥānī, Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, table of contents of the three volumes.
  10. ↑ Subḥānī, Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, vol. 1, table of contents.
  11. ↑ Subḥānī, Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, vol. 2, table of contents.
  12. ↑ Subḥānī, Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, vol. 3, table of contents.
  13. ↑ Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, Website of the National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
  14. ↑ Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, Website of the School of Fiqh Library.
  15. ↑ Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, Gisoom Comprehensive Book Network.
  16. ↑ Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, Website of the National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

References

  • Amīn, Ḥasan, Mustadrakāt A'yān al-Shī'a, Lebanon, Dār al-Ta'āruf lil-Maṭbū'āt, 1st edition, 1408 AH.
  • Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, Website of the National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, accessed on October 31, 2025.
  • Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, Website of the School of Fiqh Library, accessed on October 31, 2025.
  • Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, Gisoom Comprehensive Book Network, accessed on October 31, 2025.
  • Ḥarīm-i Imām, magazine, "Ṣāḥib al-fikr al-thāqib", no. 254, 1395 Sh.
  • Rāyiḥa, magazine, "Biography of Ayatollah al-Uzma Subhani", no. 56, 1388 Sh.
  • Subḥānī Tabrīzī, Ja'far, Tahdhīb al-uṣūl, Tehran, Institute for Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 1387 Sh.
  • Subhani, Hawzah Information Base, accessed on October 31, 2025.
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