The ''Kitāb al-Umm'' ( Arabic: كـتـاب الأم) is the first exhaustive compendium of Islamic code of law that is used as an authoritative guide by the Shafi'i school of '' fiqh'' (Islamic jurisprudence) within the

Sunni Sunni Islam () is the largest branch of Islam, followed by 85–90% of the world's Muslims. Its name comes from the word '' Sunnah'', referring to the tradition of Muhammad. The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims arose from a disagr ...

branch of

Islam Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...

. The work was composed by the founder of the Shafi'i school, Imām ash-Shāfi‘ī (767-820 CE). The term "''al-Umm''" means "the exemplar." The ''Kitab al-Umm'' is noted for its

hermeneutic Hermeneutics () is the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially the interpretation of biblical texts, wisdom literature, and philosophical texts. Hermeneutics is more than interpretative principles or methods used when immediate c ...

approach to developing legal principles, basing them on revelation rather than traditional authority.

References

Sunni literature Principles of Islamic jurisprudence Books about Islamic jurisprudence {{islam-book-stub