Canon Law – The Safawi Collection of Ibn al-‘Assal

First: The Nature of Ibn al-‘Assal’s Work

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that Ibn al-‘Assal was a compiler, not a critic. He gathered in his book what is good and bad, authentic and forged, canonical and non-canonical, without sufficient discernment. As a result, the non-specialized reader may fall into serious confusion between ecclesiastical and civil material.

Second: Excesses in the Safawi Collection

Among the most serious errors are:

• The inclusion of laws of Christian emperors such as Justinian and Theodosius, which are civil, not ecclesiastical laws.

• The incorporation of forged canons falsely attributed to the Council of Nicaea, especially in the section on patriarchs.

• The addition of non-recognized canons, including those taken from non-Orthodox traditions or without clear sources.

• The insertion of personal opinions, particularly regarding confession and marriage, which do not rise to the level of canon law.

Third: Deficiencies in the Safawi Collection

Despite being called a “collection,” Ibn al-‘Assal omitted many essential sources, including:

• The theological canons of the Ecumenical Councils, especially Constantinople and Ephesus.

• The canons of major Fathers such as Athanasius the Apostolic, Cyril the Great, Peter the Seal of the Martyrs, and John Chrysostom.

• Liturgical canons, despite their central importance in ecclesiastical law.

• Authentic monastic canons, particularly those of Saint Pachomius and Saint Shenoute the Archimandrite.

Fourth: The Section on Patriarchs

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III affirms that the section on patriarchs in Ibn al-‘Assal’s book is entirely erroneous, relying on forged Nicene canons and promoting concepts of Petrine and Roman primacy rejected by the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Fifth: The Merits of Ibn al-‘Assal

Despite all criticism, he is credited with:

• The merit of compilation in an era when such work was rare.

• The merit of organization and classification by dividing canons into chapters.

• Occasional commentary, distinguishing between transmitted and rational proof, though this does not grant him legislative authority.

Sixth: Understanding the Spirit of Canon Law

The lecture stresses the importance of understanding the spirit rather than the letter of canon law, since many canons were issued to confront specific circumstances or heresies and ceased to apply once their causes ended. Canon law therefore includes:

• Permanent and enduring canons.

• Temporary or historical canons.

• Canons subject to modification or addition according to contemporary needs.

Conclusion

The Safawi Collection of Ibn al-‘Assal is a historical compilatory work with value in its own time, but it is not a binding legislative source. The Church is always called to approach canon law with spiritual discernment, Orthodox clarity, and deep understanding of Scripture and Apostolic Tradition, so that law remains a means of salvation rather than a burden on humanity.

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