As such, it suffices instead of separately studying the later two, even with their respected commentaries. This very useful text combines the masa’il (legal issues) of the four most reliable texts according to the later scholars: Mukhtasar al-Quduri, al-Mukhtar by al-Mawsuli, Kanz al-Daqa’iq by al-Nasafi (d.710), and al-Wiqayah by Burhan al-Shari’ah (d.673). Multaqa al-Abhur by Ibrahim al-Halabi (d.956) Some consider it to be somewhat of an abridgement of al-Hidayah. It also mentions the reasoning and evidence behind the chosen position. It mentions the differences between Abu Hanifah and his three major disciples Abu Yusuf, Muhammad al-Shaybani, and al-Zufar, as well as Imam al-Shafi’i. The commentary was the high school text for Hanafis at al-Azhar schools during the 20th Century. This text is invariably studied with its commentary, al-Ikhtiyar li Ta’lil al-Mukhtar, by the same author. It is also very clear and easy to read, even without a teacher. The benefit of this commentary is that it is late (post-Ibn ‘Abidin) and thus incorporates much of the refinement and tarjih of the later period.

In al-Sham, it is almost always studied alongside its commentary, al-Lubab, by Abd-al-Ghani al-Maydani, a student of Ibn Abidin. This blessed text is usually the first one studied that covers the full spectrum of fiqh. These works are studied after mastering the basics of ‘ibada through works such as Nur al-Idah by al-Shurunbulali (d.1069) with its commentary, Maraqi al-Falah, by the same author. What follows are my own suggestions for studying the furu’ of the Hanafi school, based on my own experiences and consulting with scholars.

Fathul qadeer sharh hidayah