The second volume serves as a comprehensive civil and criminal code. It reflects the practical reality of running an empire and covers a vast array of topics:
This is the most frequently asked question.
The (pillars of Islam) stands as the most authoritative and celebrated work on jurisprudence (fiqh) within the Ismaili tradition of Shia Islam. Compiled in the 4th century AH / 10th century CE by the foremost Fatimid jurist, Al-Qadi al-Nu'man , this monumental text served as the official legal code of the Fatimid Caliphate. For researchers, students, and practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of Fatimid law and Ismaili thought, locating an accurate English translation or a reliable PDF version is essential. Historical Context and Authorship
While the search for a free "Daim al-Islam English PDF" is common among researchers, access to the full text is generally controlled by copyright restrictions due to its publication by Oxford University Press. However, there are several legitimate avenues for accessing the text: Daim Al-islam English Pdf
: Offers digitized versions of Volume 1 of the Fyzee translation.
The most authoritative English translation of this text was completed by and completely revised by Ismail Kurban Husein Poonawala .
If you need Daim al-Islam for serious study or religious practice: The second volume serves as a comprehensive civil
For English-speaking scholars and practitioners, the standard access point to Da'a'im al-Islam is the translation known as This work was initially translated by the distinguished Indian jurist and scholar Asaf A. A. Fyzee. Fyzee had previously edited and published the Arabic text of the Da'a'im in Cairo in 1951. His translation was later comprehensively revised and annotated by Dr. Ismail Kurban Husein Poonawala. This edition is published by Oxford University Press and is widely regarded as the first authoritative English translation of the original text.
This structure shows the Da'a'im al-Islam to be a holistic legal system, providing guidance for both spiritual devotion and worldly affairs.
For over a millennium, the Da'a'im al-Islam has served as the primary source for understanding Ismaili law and practice. It is not merely a historical document; it remains the foundational legal text for the Musta'li-Tayyibi Bohra community today. The English translation by Asaf A. A. Fyzee and Ismail K. Poonawala has opened up this rich tradition to a global audience, fostering a deeper scholarly and public understanding of Ismaili jurisprudence, history, and theology. Compiled in the 4th century AH / 10th
: It is recognized by courts in the Indo-Pakistani subcontinent as the authoritative source for Ismaili family and personal law. The English translation is critical for lawyers and judges who previously relied on secondary sources.
Platforms like Internet Archive (archive.org), Academia.edu, and ResearchGate occasionally host scanned copies of Professor Fyzee’s translation uploaded by researchers for educational purposes.
Because the text is sacred and legally binding for specific Muslim communities, commercial print copies can sometimes be scarce, leading readers to search for digital PDFs. Official Academic Translations