What are the books you recommend for a student of knowledge in fiqh and its principles?

The questioner : So, regarding the question.

The Shaykh: Go ahead.

The questioner : What books do you recommend reading, given that, for example, we do not want to speak about a specific school of jurisprudence? May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : Well, first, the books related to your question are of two types: books dealing with the science of usul al-fiqh (the principles of jurisprudence) and a section dealing with the branches of fiqh. It is regrettable that the science of usul, which is supposed to be a beacon guiding the student of knowledge to correct the branches based on the principles, has suffered the same fate as the branches in terms of adhering to a specific school of jurisprudence. There are books written in the science of usul al-fiqh, but they are sectarian (madhhab-based). Therefore, I do not strongly recommend such books. Instead, I recommend books by individual scholars who are independent in their principles, let alone their branches. For example, the book *Ihkam al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam* by Abu Muhammad ibn Hazm (may Allah have mercy on him). Although this man is a Zahiri, the truth is that his book is unique in its style. If you compare it to other books, you will find that the principles in other books, especially the sectarian ones, are merely claims. Each author claims a principle, but does not provide the evidence that would convince the reader that this is a principle we must adopt. However, Ibn Hazm, in this book, provides the scriptural evidence from the Qur'an and the Sunnah for every principle he explains, clarifies, and adopts. He based his other jurisprudential book, known as *al-Muhalla*, on this book of principles. I recommend these two books, both in terms of principles and branches, for this virtue: in his principles, just as in his branches, he does not present an issue without providing the evidence for it. But beware of his Zahiri stance. Then I recommend the books of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah in general, all their books, whether in principles or branches. Among the best of these books that combine some principles and branches is *I'lam al-Muwaqqin 'an Rabb al-'Alamin* by Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah. There is also a printed treatise titled *al-Qiyas fi al-Shar' (Analogical Reasoning in the Law)* by Ibn Taymiyyah, as well as his other books. In reality, his works are the most correct things a Muslim can find, whether in terms of issues, ideas, or opinions, whether related to creed, worship, or conduct. I also recommend the books of al-Shawkani, such as *Nayl al-Awtar*, *al-Sayl al-Jarrar*, and similar works. Although this man was originally Zaydi, Allah (Mighty and Majestic) guided him to the Sunnah, so he did not become biased toward the Zaydi school, even though he quotes many of their opinions and schools. However, he always bound himself to follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah wherever they are. Also, one of the scholars of India, known as Sadiq Hasan Khan, and al-Shawkani have two books on principles. Al-Shawkani named his book *Irsad al-Fuhul ila 'Ilm al-Usul*. Then Sadiq Hasan Khan summarized it in a small book he named *Tahsil al-Ma'mul min 'Ilm al-Usul*. Here, these two books are closer to the books of principles related to schools of jurisprudence, as we mentioned, because they do not show bias toward a school. In fiqh based on independence and lack of bias toward a school, I recommend the book *al-Rawdat al-Nadiyyah Sharh al-Durar al-Bahiyyah* by Sadiq Hasan Khan.