Authorized Books in Shāfiʿī Madhhab
Compiled by Abdullah al-Marbuqi
The main aspect in the foundation of the madhhab is the verdict of the al-Imām. The ʿUlamāʾ and the books constitute the basis and source of strength of the madhhab. The ʿUlamāʾ explain and elaborate the original verdict of the Imām and disseminate them while the books preserve and ensure that the authentic views of the madhhab are transmitted to a later generation.
Imām al-ḥarāmain ʿAbd al-Malik ibn ʿAbdullah al-Juwaynī (478 H) has gathered all four main fiqh books of al-qawl al-jadīd (new verdict) of al-Imām al-Shāfiʿī (204 H) namely al-Umm, al-Imlaʾ, al-Mukhtaṣar by al-Imām al-Buwaiṭī (231 H) and al-Mukhtaṣar by al-Imām al-Muzānī (264 H) in one book entitled Nihāyat al-Maṭlab.
This book of Imām al-ḥarāmain has been abridged three times by his student, Hujjat al-Islām al-Imām al-Ghazālī (505 H). The first abridgement is al-Basīt, al-Wasīt the second and finally al-Wajīz. Al-Imām al-Rāfiʿī (623 H) summarized al-Wajīz and entitled it al-Muḥarrar. Al-Imām al-Rāfiʿī also had writen a commentary of al-Wajiz in two books namely Sharh al-kabir or Fath al-ʿAziz fi sharh al-Wajīz and Sharh al-ṣaghīr.
Al-Imām al-Nawawī (676 H) abridged Fath al-ʿAziz in his book, Rauḍat al-ṭālibīn wa ʿumdat al-muftiyyīn. This was later abridged by Ibn al-Muqrī (837 H) in Rauḍ al-ṭalib and Shaykh al-Islām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī (925 H) compiled a commentary on it, naming it Asna al-maṭālib sharh Rauḍ al-ṭālib. Beside ar-Rauḍ, Rauḍah al-ṭālibīn also has been abridged by al-Imām Aḥmad ibn ʿUmar al-Muzajjad (930 H) in the book entitled, al-ʿUbab and al-Imām Ibn Ḥajar al-Makkī prepared a commentary named al-Īʿāb sharh al-ʿUbāb. Al-Sharaf al-Muqrī ṣāḥib al-Rauḍ abridged it second time in a book entitled al-Irshād. A commentary on it was prepared by al-Imām Ibn Ḥajar al-Makkī named Fath al-jawād sharh al-Irshād.
Al-Imām al-Nawawī had abridged al-Muharrar and entitled it Minhāj al-ṭālibīn. It was thereafter abridged by Shaykh al-Islām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī in his book Manhaj al-ṭullab and he authored a commentary on it namely Fath al-Wahhāb bi sharḥ Manhaj al-ṭullab. Al-Imām al-Jauharī abridged al-Manhaj and named it al-Nahj.
Tarjīḥ (preference) in the madhhab rests upon the verdicts of al-Shaykhayn; al-Imām al-Rāfiʿī and al-Imām al-Nawawī. This is the unanimous view of muhaqqiqs (researchers) of the madhhab. If these two Imāms have a difference opinion, the verdict of al-Imām al-Nawawī will be given preference over the verdict of al-Imām al-Rafiʿī.
If the writings of al-Imām al-Nawawī differ, generally the the order of what will be given preference to is (1) al-Tahqīq, (2) al-Majmūʿ, (3) al-Tanqīḥ, (4) al-Rauḍah, (5) al-Minhāj and his fatāwā (legal verdicts), (7) Sharh Muslim, and finally (8) Taṣḥīḥ al-Tanbīh and its nukāt (marginal note). The view on which of his books are unanimous will be given preference over the view on which only a few of his books are unanimous. The view discused under its relevant chapter is given preference over that which is discussed in another chapter.
Al-Imām al-Subkī (765 H) mentioned regarding al-Minhaj of al-Imām al-Nawawī, “In this era, this book is the most excellent book for students and many scholars to understand the madhhab.” There are almost one hundred commentaries of the al-Minhāj. It has been abridged, explained, annotated and versified (compiled in the form of poetry). The four main commentaries of al-Minhaj are (1) Tuḥfat al-muhtāj by al-Imām Aḥmad ibn ʿAlī ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī al-Makkī (974 H), (2) Nihāyat al-muhtāj ilā sharh al-Minhāj by al-Imām Shams al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn Hamzah al-Ramlī (1004 H), (3) Mughnī al-muhtāj ilā maʿrifat al-maʿāni alfāẓ sharh al-Minhāj by al-Imām Shams al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Khāṭib al-Shirbīnī (977 H) and (4) Kanz al-rāghibīn sharh Minhāj al-ṭālibīn by al-Imām Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Maḥallī (864 H).
The above mentioned books hold an authoritative position in the madhhab. However, if there is difference opinion, preference is given to al-Tuḥfah of al-Imām Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī and al-Nihayah of al-Imām Shams al-Dīn al-Ramlī. Thereafter, preference is given to Sharh al-ṣaghīr ʿalā al-Bahjah and then, Fath al-Wahhāb bi sharh Manhaj al-ṭullāb both by Shaykh al-Islām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī. Finally, preference is given to Sharh al-Imām al-Khāṭib al-Shirbīnī and Sharh al-Imām al-Maḥallī.
Among the books of al-Imām Ibn Ḥajar, the order of merit is al-Tuḥfah, Fatḥ al-Jawād, al-Imdād, the fatāwā (legal opinions) and sharh al-ʿUbāb have the same merit, however, giving preference to the commentary is better.
The order of merit among the ḥawāshī (marginal notes) is ḥāshiyah ʿalā Sharh al-Manhaj by al-Imām ʿAlī al-Ziyādī (1024 H) then Ibn Qasim al-ʿAbbādī (994 H) on al-Tuḥfah, then Shaykh ʿUmairah (957 H) marginal note on al-Maḥallī, then the verdict of Shaykh ʿAlī al-Shabramillisī (1087 H) on al-Nihāyah. Thereafter, Ḥāshiyah al-Halabī, al-Shaubarī, al-ʿAnānī. Their opinions are taken if they do not differ with the original standpoint.
Despite this, deriving rulings from the book alone without studying under the ʿUlamāʾ is not permissible. Rasūlullah sallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa alihi wa sallam said:
إنما العلم بالتعلم
Knowledge is acquired through
learning from the scholar.
Assalaam alaykum,
Jazakum Allah
khairan for such a brilliant article and for such a fantastic website in general. I stumbled across it a few days ago and have been happily spreading the word since. I was also delighted to find an Arabic/English version of Safinat An-Naja’. Jazakum Allah 
khairan wa barak Allah 
fikum.
I just have one question. Can you tell me more about Imam an-Nawawi’s book At-Tahqiq? I’ve got Al-Majmu’, Ar-Rawda, Al-Minhaj with three main commentaries (Tuhfah, Nihaya and Mughni) and Sharh Sahih Muslim, but I’ve never come across At-Tahqiq.
Also, as a student of the Shafi’i madhab I would like to ask you in an email about places to study fiqh in Malaysia. I’m currently based in Morocco with my wife, studying Ash’ari creed, grammar, and usul al-fiqh and insha’Allah
I will be here for a few more years to complete the texts that I have in mind.
Alternatively, or in the meantime, we would happily accept the opportunity to study fiqh with someone over Skype or Paltalk.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Assalaam alaykum,
Mahdi Lock
Fes, Morocco
Wa’alykum Salam WaRahmatullah Sayyidi Mahdi,
As for Kitab At-Tahqiq of Imam An-Nawawi the only place I could find it within the States is at fadakbooks and I am not sure about Moroccan Bookstores online – if there is even such a thing;
http://fadakbooks.com/kitabaltahqiq.html
We have been asked by email, even though we just started a few weeks ago, by many individuals about places to study shafi’i fiqh. So, within the next few weeks, insha’Allah
, we will be putting together a list of places within the entire world to study shafi’i fiqh insha’Allah 
. So bear with us, as we just started the site recently. We need your ad’iyah and your support!
was-Salam,
Abul Layth
salam aleikum, brother Mahdi
l`m going to visit Morocco and want to find some teachers fo private lessons. can you give me your email? i`ve some quetsions
Assalaam alaykum,
Brother Abu ‘Ali,
As this is a public website I don’t want to give out my private email so please contact me on nottsnewmuslims@yahoo.co.uk. I thought this address was visible on my blog but I guess not! Sorry!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Assalaam alaykum,
Mahdi
p.s. Please note that Morocco is strictly a Maliki country. You can’t study Shafi’i fiqh here. I’m here for Ash’ari creed, Usul al-Fiqh (they read Imam As-Subki’s Jama’ Al-Jawami’ here) and further Arabic studies. It depends on what you’re looking for, and Allah
knows best.
As salaamu alaykum w.w
This is a wonderful site and have suggested it to many of my shafi colleagues that require assistance and have questions on Shafi fiqh. I think a site of this nature was well awaited. I will like an article addressing the methodology of issuing a fatwa in the Shafi Mazhhab, to be written (sequence of books to be reviewed before issuing a verdict, what to do when you have contradictory views amongst the scholars etc..)
Jazakallahu Khairan
Was salaam
http://www.darulfikr.ru/node/907
this is our translation of this article into russian. barakALLah fik!
Jazakum Allahu Khayran to all of you for your support. Our main objective, as of now, is to get the Q&A section rolling out. We just need to come up with the funds for the project and we should have it out soon insha’Allah
.
If anyone is interested in donating let me know shafiifiqh@gmail.com
The translation into russian is great! If you are interested we could create a russian subjection to shafiifiqh.com. Email me if you have any ideas!
was-Salam,
Abul Layth
Salam,
What is the position of the Risala fi usul al-fiqh by imam ash-Shafi’i in the madhhab? Is it one of the mu’tamad books on usul al-fiqh in the madhhab? And is the Risala still studied in the curriculum of the madhhab or have other books taken its place? Am curious to know.
Greetings,
H.
Awesome stuff…very informative…Masha Allah
!!!
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله
The most comprehensive usul kitab is Jam’u al-jawami’ by Imam Taj al-din al-Subki rahimahuLlah ta’ala. If someone wants to acquire tafaqquh in the usul, it is necessary for him to study al-Minhaj by Imam al-Baidhawi rahimahuLlah ta’ala.
The al-Risalah is al-Risalah like its author imam al-a’immah, the book of the imam is the imam of the books.
wassalam
I was delighted to know such important Shafie Books.Jizakallah Khairan. I even started to copy their names. We Somalis give a lot of importance to Minjah.few days ago as I was surfing the net I come a cross young Somli boys who under guidance of their shiek memorised the whole Minhaj. It was Somali tradtion for students to memorise Minhaj; however that tradtion was lost due to Wahabis’ propaganda of condamning Madhab followers and influencing youth to believe that Salafiyah is on the right path and rest are misguided . However Somalis have seen Wahabi destruction of Somali Nation and started to give priority to shafie books and commenced to study shafie madhab in dept like their forefathers. The sheik that encourages young students to memorise Minhaj Talebeen is great Alim who wrote so many books.He has been teaching the Deen for a long time. He started learning centers in seventies and those are seeking Ilm flock to his center of learning.
Our hearts bleed for the Muslims in Somalia brother Al Ghani. It is certainly a travesty that the pseudo-salafi/wahhabi movements have polluted Somalia with their illegitimate fiqh and pseudo-ijtihad batil.
May Allah
revive the Sunnah in the land of Somalia and free it from the tyranny of the pseudo-salafi/wahhabi thugs who seek to usurp the noble Shafi’i tradition within the horn of Africa. Amin!
As salamu alaikum
Brother Abu Layth, did you already compiled the list of the places to study shafii fiqh? I have tryed looking in the website and did not found it.
Wa’alaykum Salam Mansur,
We have not done so, but we currently recommend Dar al-’Ulum al-’Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah or Dar Al Mustafa for those who already speak arabic.
was-salam
Abu Layth
As salamu alaikum
Thank you sidi Abul Layth. What about Syria? Would you recomend studying there? I thought going to Syria and stay there maybe a couple years, to learn arabic and the foundations of islamic sciences. I have a friend who have done that and said it was very beneficial to him. Would this be viable?
wa’alaykum Salam wr wb mansur,
There will always be immense barakah in shaam!
As salamu alaikum!
As Rasulullah saws said, blessed be our Sham and our yemen!
Would Abu Nour be a good place? Reports from Syria are that schools like Abu Nour and Mahad al-Fatih cannot accept foreigners anymore, and my friend has said that Abu Nour is “broken” now, it is, has lost a lot of quality since Shaykh Kuftaru passed away… he recommended study arabic at a government school (easier to get iqama) and seek knowledge privately with the scholars. What do you think?
Jazakallah for having patience to answer my annoying questions, and sorry for my broken english.
I was told the same thing about Abu Nur by some mureeds of Shaykh Nuh as well. If you are an American or Brit it will certainly be more difficult for you to study outside of the government’s curriculum. You could sit in the majlis of the scholars though as you have said and receive alot of barakah. It will take time though to work your way in to the “private” or the more ‘ilmi gatherings.
Thank you again!
´Alam. My firend did just that, attended the gatherings and then began to be introduced into the studies circles (like Shaykh Adnan Darwish, from who I think he beneficied more).
Actually, I am Brazilian, so I guess it would be easir for me than for an American or British, but Allah
Assalamu alaikum faleelathus shaikh,
bless u for doing this service for the muslim ummah through this shafiifiqh.com site.i would be grateful if you could please upload the article about (the rules about haidh,nifas,istihadha with kitab name&page number)according to shafi madhab.jazakallah.wassalam
may Allah
Brother A. Rahman you can download several works in English and arabic from the Maktabah:
http://www.shafiifiqh.com/?page_id=519
Simply look up the sections you need within the works of “Reliance of the Traveller” or “Safinat an-naja’”
was-salam