The full 32-volume PDF set, translated into Indonesian, is available for .
Despite its importance, Al-Majmu' remains largely untranslated into English. The original Arabic spans over 20 volumes (including later continuations by other scholars after al-Nawawi’s death, as he did not complete the work). A full English translation would be a monumental undertaking requiring decades of scholarly effort. Consequently, there is no official, complete English PDF of Al-Majmu' legally available online.
Because his works are infused with sincerity and rigorous academic discipline, they remain the standard textbooks in Islamic universities worldwide. While we wait for a complete English translation of his magnum opus, Al-Majmu' , utilizing the available translations of his secondary books allows contemporary students to benefit directly from his immense legacy. kitab al-majmu english pdf
Its authenticity is a major point of contention. Many modern Alawites reject the book as a fabrication, possibly created by a convert to Christianity. Western scholars have historically used it as a source but also acknowledge the debates surrounding its origins.
: Translating classical jurisprudence requires niche linguistic skills. The full 32-volume PDF set, translated into Indonesian,
Note: The results indicate a potential confusion between the 25-volume Shafi'i fiqh masterpiece "Al-Majmu" and a 16-chapter "Kitab al-Majmu" linked to Alawite esoteric texts (Wikipedia). This article focuses on the famous Shafi'i fiqh work by Imam al-Nawawi. What is Kitab al-Majmu‘?
The second text, and arguably the more significant one for mainstream Islamic scholarship, is (المجموع شرح المهذب). This is a colossal work of Shafi'i fiqh authored by the renowned 13th-century Islamic scholar Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi (Imam Nawawi). It is not a primary source for a sect, but rather a detailed commentary, or "sharh," on an earlier foundational text of Islamic law. A full English translation would be a monumental
Imam al-Nawawi meticulously provides evidences (daleel) from the Quran and Sunnah for every ruling.
Imam al-Nawawi intended Al-Majmu' to be a comprehensive commentary on Al-Muhadhdhab , a foundational Shafi'i text written by Imam Abu Ishaq al-Shirazi. However, al-Nawawi's work transcends a simple commentary. It represents a massive comparative study of Islamic legal opinions ( fiqh al-muqaran ). Key features of the original Arabic work include:
Originally written by Imam Abu Ishaq al-Shirazi, a foundational legal textbook of the Shafi'i school.
Al-Nawawi passed away before completing the entire legal manual. The Status of English Translations