The Best Books Recommended for Gaining Knowledge of Islamic Jurisprudence
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Question:
They also say—in a question that I consider important, Your Eminence: We love to draw from the source of the Islamic religion, but we are unaware of the beneficial books in this field. We ask Your Eminence to recommend some reliable books that help in understanding the religion. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
The greatest book, the noblest book, and the most truthful book that teaches the religion, guides to the rulings of Allah, and through which understanding of the religion is attained is the Book of Allah, the Qur'an. It is the greatest book, the most truthful book, and the noblest book, revealed to the noblest Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the noblest place, in Makkah and al-Madinah, and in the best night, the Night of Decree. So we advise the questioner and others to take care of the Book of Allah. We advise all Muslims, men and women, to take care of the Qur'an, to gain understanding of it, to recite it frequently, to review books of exegesis to understand what is difficult in it, and to ask the scholars about what is difficult as well. This is the greatest book, the most beneficial book, and the most truthful book. He, the Exalted, says: [al-Isra: 9], and He, (Exalted and Majestic is He), says: [Fussilat: 44], and He, the Exalted, says: [Sad: 29], and He, the Exalted, says: [al-Nahl: 89].
It is obligatory for Muslims to take care of this book, to turn to it, to recite it frequently, to reflect on its meanings, and to benefit from what our Lord, the Exalted, has clarified of commands, prohibitions, and stories of the nations that passed before, so that the believing man and the believing woman may benefit from the speech of our Lord.
Among the best books that help in understanding the Book are the well-known and reliable books of exegesis, such as the Tafsir of Ibn Jarir, the Tafsir of al-Baghawi, the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on them), the Tafsir of al-Shawkani, and the Tafsir of al-Qurtubi. They are all beneficial books, but the best of them are these three: the Tafsir of Ibn Jarir, al-Baghawi, and Ibn Kathir. There are other beneficial books, such as al-Qurtubi and al-Shawkani, and other books that benefit the believer, while being cautious of the errors contained in them.
Likewise, the books of hadith contain great good. There is nothing better or more authentic after the Qur'an than the hadiths of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He is the teacher, the guide, and the explainer of what Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) has clarified, as He, the Exalted, said: [al-Najm: 1-2], meaning Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) [al-Najm: 3-4]. So he (peace and blessings be upon him) is the explainer of the Book of Allah and the clarifier of its meanings, and the best guidance is his guidance, peace and blessings be upon him.
So it is prescribed for the believing man and woman to take care of the Sunnah as well, along with the Qur'an, and to strive to understand the authentic hadiths, such as Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and the other books compiled by the imams of hadith, such as Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, and the Muwatta of Malik, and other books of the Sunnah. But the most authentic, greatest, and most beneficial books are Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
So one should take more care of these two, and turn to them more completely, especially the student of knowledge, male or female, who distinguishes between the authentic and the weak, and understands the meanings. The student of knowledge, male or female, should take more care of these two great books than any others: Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Among the concise books is Bulugh al-Maram, a beneficial and useful book compiled by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar. Also, 'Umdat al-Hadith by al-Hafiz 'Abd al-Ghani ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab al-Maqdisi, a beneficial and great book. Al-Muntaqa by al-Mujaddid Ibn Taymiyyah, a beneficial and great book as well. The student of knowledge, male or female, benefits from these books. Whatever is difficult in them, the student asks the scholars about it, and reviews the books that clarify the authentic from the weak, and that clarify issues of scholarly disagreement, such as al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah, which is a book of great benefit.
The presenter : This is with regard to jurisprudence.
The Shaykh : Jurisprudence... and clarifying the stronger position of the scholars in what they disagreed upon; because it is a great book that clarifies issues of disagreement, the evidence, and the stronger and weaker positions. And like al-Furu' by Ibn Muflih, Sharh al-Muhadhdhab by al-Nawawi, and similar books that mention the disagreement of the scholars and clarify the stronger position. This is for the scholars, for those who distinguish between the opinions and know the evidence; because he is a person of knowledge, and has gained knowledge of the religion, and has insight, and knows the speech of the scholars regarding the authentic and weak hadith, and what is used to determine the stronger position in issues of disagreement.
As for the layperson and the one close to being a layperson, they ask the scholars they trust from the people of the Sunnah about what is difficult for them, and they act on what they are guided to, if they do not have the insight and knowledge to take the issues with their evidence from the books of the scholars.
Among the best books is Zad al-Ma'ad by Ibn al-Qayyim, which is a comprehensive book combining hadith and jurisprudence. Zad al-Ma'ad by Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) is a comprehensive book. Also, Ighathat al-Lahfan by him, and I'lam al-Muwaqqi'in by him. These are great books containing rulings and great knowledge. In creed, there is Kitab al-Tawhid, Fath al-Majid, and al-'Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah. Kitab al-Tadmuriyyah by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, and Kitab al-Humayriyyah by him as well. These are great books in creed. Sharh al-Tahawiyyah by Ibn Abi al-'Izz is a great book. We ask Allah for success for everyone. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah accept. May Allah reward you with good, Your Eminence! You mentioned some books of exegesis, which are from the old era. Would you please mention something of the books that focused on studying the Qur'an and its exegesis, from those compiled in the modern era?
The Shaykh : Among them is what was mentioned before, as its era is recent. Al-Shawkani's era is recent, in the thirteenth century. In books compiled recently, there are such as (Fi Zilal al-Qur'an) and the Tafsir of Ibn Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him). These are beneficial books. And the believer, specifically regarding the Tafsir of Sayyid Qutb, the believer should be cautious of the errors in it, and take the good and benefit from it.
And likewise the other tafsirs that contain [errors]. Every book, in most cases, is not free from something. Such as Tafsir al-Jalalayn, and the Tafsir of al-Qurtubi, and other books in which some figurative interpretation occurs. The believer should beware of the errors in them, ask the scholars about what is difficult for him, and benefit from them in what agrees with the truth.
The presenter : Very well, very well... May Allah reward you with good. After you mentioned some tafsirs, would you please mention some commentaries on the Sunnah?
The Shaykh : Yes, there are many commentaries, such as Fath al-Bari on al-Bukhari, and al-Nawawi's commentary on Muslim, and Nayl al-Awtar by al-Shawkani. These are good and beneficial books. Fath al-Majid in creed by Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan on Kitab al-Tawhid, and Ibn Abi al-'Izz's commentary on al-'Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah. They are all beneficial books and good commentaries. Some of them are not free from something, such as Fath al-Bari, and the commentary on Muslim, which are not free from some errors in creed according to the Ash'ari school. But the student of knowledge rejects the error and warns against the error.
And likewise what may occur in Nayl al-Awtar, and Subul al-Salam, a commentary on Bulugh al-Maram, and other books. One takes the truth in them and uses them to gain knowledge of the religion. And the error in them, one leaves it if it becomes clear to him. And if it is difficult for him, he asks the scholars, and discusses it with the scholars, and with his colleagues who have insight and understanding, so that he avoids error. He benefits from what agrees with the truth. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good. These books you kindly mentioned, Your Eminence, seem to be for a specific category of learners. But what about the beginner? What books do you recommend for the beginner to read?
The Shaykh : The beginner should read the well-known books compiled by those known for good creed and safety from errors in their writings, so that he does not fall into any error. Such as al-'Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, such as Kitab al-Tawhid by Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, such as Thalaathah al-Usul and Kashf al-Shubuhat. These are beneficial and good books that the beginner student of knowledge should memorize. And such as the Nawawi Forty Hadiths with its completion by Ibn Rajab, fifty hadiths, he should memorize them. These are beneficial and concise. And 'Umdat al-Hadith as well, for the students to memorize, it is concise, four hundred hadiths and a few more, a small addition over four hundred. The student of knowledge should memorize it. We memorized it in our youth. The student of knowledge should memorize it in secondary and intermediate school. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good. And with regard to jurisprudence?
Answer : For example, al-Umdah by al-Muqaddim, al-Umdah by al-Muqaddim in jurisprudence.
The presenter : Muqaddim ibn Qudamah?
The Shaykh : ... It is concise, good, and beneficial. Yes.
The presenter : As for the other schools of jurisprudence, it seems this is according to the Hanbali school. As for the other schools?
The Shaykh : By Allah, I have not reflected on it; I have not examined the concise books of the other schools. There are things we hear about, but I cannot say anything about them, yes; because I have not reflected on them much. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good. This is an important matter for the people, O Shaykh! They might say: These books are not easily accessible to us. What about publishing such valuable books?
The Shaykh : What we know is that all the books are sold, they are all available, they are all sold, and they are all available. They can be purchased from bookstores. We do not know of any of these being missing; they are all available, yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
They also say—in a question that I consider important, Your Eminence: We love to draw from the source of the Islamic religion, but we are unaware of the beneficial books in this field. We ask Your Eminence to recommend some reliable books that help in understanding the religion. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
The greatest book, the noblest book, and the most truthful book that teaches the religion, guides to the rulings of Allah, and through which understanding of the religion is attained is the Book of Allah, the Qur'an. It is the greatest book, the most truthful book, and the noblest book, revealed to the noblest Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the noblest place, in Makkah and al-Madinah, and in the best night, the Night of Decree. So we advise the questioner and others to take care of the Book of Allah. We advise all Muslims, men and women, to take care of the Qur'an, to gain understanding of it, to recite it frequently, to review books of exegesis to understand what is difficult in it, and to ask the scholars about what is difficult as well. This is the greatest book, the most beneficial book, and the most truthful book. He, the Exalted, says:
Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most suitable
إِنَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُSay, "It is, for those who believe, a guidance and cure."
قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.
كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُوْلُوا الأَلْبَابِAnd We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.
وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَIt is obligatory for Muslims to take care of this book, to turn to it, to recite it frequently, to reflect on its meanings, and to benefit from what our Lord, the Exalted, has clarified of commands, prohibitions, and stories of the nations that passed before, so that the believing man and the believing woman may benefit from the speech of our Lord.
Among the best books that help in understanding the Book are the well-known and reliable books of exegesis, such as the Tafsir of Ibn Jarir, the Tafsir of al-Baghawi, the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on them), the Tafsir of al-Shawkani, and the Tafsir of al-Qurtubi. They are all beneficial books, but the best of them are these three: the Tafsir of Ibn Jarir, al-Baghawi, and Ibn Kathir. There are other beneficial books, such as al-Qurtubi and al-Shawkani, and other books that benefit the believer, while being cautious of the errors contained in them.
Likewise, the books of hadith contain great good. There is nothing better or more authentic after the Qur'an than the hadiths of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He is the teacher, the guide, and the explainer of what Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) has clarified, as He, the Exalted, said:
(1) By the star when it descends, (2) Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred,
وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَى مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَى(3) Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. (4) It is not but a revelation revealed,
وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىSo it is prescribed for the believing man and woman to take care of the Sunnah as well, along with the Qur'an, and to strive to understand the authentic hadiths, such as Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and the other books compiled by the imams of hadith, such as Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, and the Muwatta of Malik, and other books of the Sunnah. But the most authentic, greatest, and most beneficial books are Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
So one should take more care of these two, and turn to them more completely, especially the student of knowledge, male or female, who distinguishes between the authentic and the weak, and understands the meanings. The student of knowledge, male or female, should take more care of these two great books than any others: Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Among the concise books is Bulugh al-Maram, a beneficial and useful book compiled by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar. Also, 'Umdat al-Hadith by al-Hafiz 'Abd al-Ghani ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab al-Maqdisi, a beneficial and great book. Al-Muntaqa by al-Mujaddid Ibn Taymiyyah, a beneficial and great book as well. The student of knowledge, male or female, benefits from these books. Whatever is difficult in them, the student asks the scholars about it, and reviews the books that clarify the authentic from the weak, and that clarify issues of scholarly disagreement, such as al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah, which is a book of great benefit.
The presenter : This is with regard to jurisprudence.
The Shaykh : Jurisprudence... and clarifying the stronger position of the scholars in what they disagreed upon; because it is a great book that clarifies issues of disagreement, the evidence, and the stronger and weaker positions. And like al-Furu' by Ibn Muflih, Sharh al-Muhadhdhab by al-Nawawi, and similar books that mention the disagreement of the scholars and clarify the stronger position. This is for the scholars, for those who distinguish between the opinions and know the evidence; because he is a person of knowledge, and has gained knowledge of the religion, and has insight, and knows the speech of the scholars regarding the authentic and weak hadith, and what is used to determine the stronger position in issues of disagreement.
As for the layperson and the one close to being a layperson, they ask the scholars they trust from the people of the Sunnah about what is difficult for them, and they act on what they are guided to, if they do not have the insight and knowledge to take the issues with their evidence from the books of the scholars.
Among the best books is Zad al-Ma'ad by Ibn al-Qayyim, which is a comprehensive book combining hadith and jurisprudence. Zad al-Ma'ad by Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) is a comprehensive book. Also, Ighathat al-Lahfan by him, and I'lam al-Muwaqqi'in by him. These are great books containing rulings and great knowledge. In creed, there is Kitab al-Tawhid, Fath al-Majid, and al-'Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah. Kitab al-Tadmuriyyah by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, and Kitab al-Humayriyyah by him as well. These are great books in creed. Sharh al-Tahawiyyah by Ibn Abi al-'Izz is a great book. We ask Allah for success for everyone. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah accept. May Allah reward you with good, Your Eminence! You mentioned some books of exegesis, which are from the old era. Would you please mention something of the books that focused on studying the Qur'an and its exegesis, from those compiled in the modern era?
The Shaykh : Among them is what was mentioned before, as its era is recent. Al-Shawkani's era is recent, in the thirteenth century. In books compiled recently, there are such as (Fi Zilal al-Qur'an) and the Tafsir of Ibn Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him). These are beneficial books. And the believer, specifically regarding the Tafsir of Sayyid Qutb, the believer should be cautious of the errors in it, and take the good and benefit from it.
And likewise the other tafsirs that contain [errors]. Every book, in most cases, is not free from something. Such as Tafsir al-Jalalayn, and the Tafsir of al-Qurtubi, and other books in which some figurative interpretation occurs. The believer should beware of the errors in them, ask the scholars about what is difficult for him, and benefit from them in what agrees with the truth.
The presenter : Very well, very well... May Allah reward you with good. After you mentioned some tafsirs, would you please mention some commentaries on the Sunnah?
The Shaykh : Yes, there are many commentaries, such as Fath al-Bari on al-Bukhari, and al-Nawawi's commentary on Muslim, and Nayl al-Awtar by al-Shawkani. These are good and beneficial books. Fath al-Majid in creed by Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan on Kitab al-Tawhid, and Ibn Abi al-'Izz's commentary on al-'Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah. They are all beneficial books and good commentaries. Some of them are not free from something, such as Fath al-Bari, and the commentary on Muslim, which are not free from some errors in creed according to the Ash'ari school. But the student of knowledge rejects the error and warns against the error.
And likewise what may occur in Nayl al-Awtar, and Subul al-Salam, a commentary on Bulugh al-Maram, and other books. One takes the truth in them and uses them to gain knowledge of the religion. And the error in them, one leaves it if it becomes clear to him. And if it is difficult for him, he asks the scholars, and discusses it with the scholars, and with his colleagues who have insight and understanding, so that he avoids error. He benefits from what agrees with the truth. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good. These books you kindly mentioned, Your Eminence, seem to be for a specific category of learners. But what about the beginner? What books do you recommend for the beginner to read?
The Shaykh : The beginner should read the well-known books compiled by those known for good creed and safety from errors in their writings, so that he does not fall into any error. Such as al-'Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, such as Kitab al-Tawhid by Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, such as Thalaathah al-Usul and Kashf al-Shubuhat. These are beneficial and good books that the beginner student of knowledge should memorize. And such as the Nawawi Forty Hadiths with its completion by Ibn Rajab, fifty hadiths, he should memorize them. These are beneficial and concise. And 'Umdat al-Hadith as well, for the students to memorize, it is concise, four hundred hadiths and a few more, a small addition over four hundred. The student of knowledge should memorize it. We memorized it in our youth. The student of knowledge should memorize it in secondary and intermediate school. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good. And with regard to jurisprudence?
Answer : For example, al-Umdah by al-Muqaddim, al-Umdah by al-Muqaddim in jurisprudence.
The presenter : Muqaddim ibn Qudamah?
The Shaykh : ... It is concise, good, and beneficial. Yes.
The presenter : As for the other schools of jurisprudence, it seems this is according to the Hanbali school. As for the other schools?
The Shaykh : By Allah, I have not reflected on it; I have not examined the concise books of the other schools. There are things we hear about, but I cannot say anything about them, yes; because I have not reflected on them much. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good. This is an important matter for the people, O Shaykh! They might say: These books are not easily accessible to us. What about publishing such valuable books?
The Shaykh : What we know is that all the books are sold, they are all available, they are all sold, and they are all available. They can be purchased from bookstores. We do not know of any of these being missing; they are all available, yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.