Al-Nawawi’s Method of Reconciling Conflicting Evidence by Interpreting Commands as Recommendations in Al-Majmu’: An Inductive and Applied Study of the Chapter of Purification

Abstract

This study aims to uncover the applied methodology of Imam Al-Nawawi in dealing with Islamic legal texts that exhibit apparent contradiction, through an inductive examination of his practices in his monumental jurisprudential work "Al-Majmoo' Sharh Al-Muhadhdhab". It focuses on a specific mechanism: "interpreting commands as recommendations (Al-Amru 'ala al-Nadab)", within the chapter on Purification (Taharah). The research comprises an introduction that establishes the conceptual foundations of reconciling and resolving contradictions, followed by three main applied sections. The first section addresses issues related to ablution (Wudu'), including the rulings on rinsing the mouth and nose, bleeding, and washing from pre-seminal fluid. The second section covers matters of ritual bath (Ghusl) and menstruation, such as the bath for a new Muslim, performing ablution within the ritual bath, and intimate contact with a menstruating wife. The third section focuses on removing impurity and related matters, including the purity of semen, the purity of the Prophet's blood and bodily wastes, and the purity of utensils belonging to non-Muslims. The research adopted an inductive methodology to identify cases where textual contradictions emerged and to trace Al-Nawawi's approach in dealing with them. Among the key findings are Al-Nawawi's commitment to reconciliation (Al-Jam') as a primary choice for resolving contradictions and his systematic, clear application of the "command as recommendation" mechanism across nine diverse cases. He relied on contextual and purposive evidence to justify this interpretation, confirming the consistency of his methodology and his consideration for removing hardship and expanding the scope of permissibility. This reflects the flexibility of the Shafi'i jurisprudential method and the effectiveness of precise foundational principles in solving practical legal problems. Prominent recommendations include encouraging specialized studies that link the science of legal theory (Usul al-Fiqh) with the jurisprudential applications of the schools' scholars, and working to complete the study of Al-Nawawi's methodology in resolving contradiction using other aspects of reconciliation-such as specification and qualification-within "Al-Majmoo'"