Books of Fiqh and the Principle of Averting Harms

Question:
The questioner, Abdullah al-Qirmawi, says: Honorable Shaykh Salih, may Allah keep you safe, what are the recognized books of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) to which a student of religious knowledge should refer? And what is the meaning of the fiqh principle that averting harms takes precedence over seeking benefits?

Answer:
Yes, the books are large, but the issue lies with the one who explains the books and studies them; that is the important thing. The important thing is the presence of a learned teacher who explains these books. The student of knowledge who is beginning starts with the abridgments, starting with the abridged books, such as *Adab al-Mashy ila al-Salah* (The Etiquette of Walking to Prayer), such as the *Matn al-Dalil* (Text of the Guide), the *Matn al-Dalil*, and the *Matn al-Zad* (Text of the Provisions). He trains with the abridgments and does not take the extensive works, but he must exert effort with a scholar from among the scholars who explains to him and clarifies for him? The fiqh administration, O tribe of the Shaykh, averting harms is said to take precedence over seeking benefits. This is a rule from the rules of fiqh that averting harms takes precedence over seeking benefits. This is like the saying of Allah the Exalted: The harshness is obligatory because of it, but if it results in its people cursing Allah after the reaction, then it is left off to purify Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) from cursing. So cursing them is a benefit, but their cursing of Allah is a harm. So the greater harm is averted by leaving the benefit until it becomes easy to fight them. Yes.