Are There Any Didactic Poems in Hanafi Fiqh, and What is the Best Way to Retain This Knowledge?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Is there any didactic poem on the basics of hanafi fiqh? Something similar to ibn Ashir’s (rahimuhu Allahu) al Murshid al Mu’in.

Do you have any advice for a student who wants to memorize the basics of Hanafi fiqh. I studied the subjects some time ago and I tend to forget parts of it.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

I don’t know of too many didactic poems in Hanafi fiqh, aside from:

— “Tuhfat al-Tullab” by Shaykh Abu Bakr al-Mulla of al-Ahsa’ (Allah have mercy on him),

— “Kifayat al-Ghulam” by Sayyidi Shaykh Abdul Ghani al-Nabulsi (Allah have mercy on him), and

— “al-Fara’id al-Saniyya” by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Kawakibi (Allah have mercy on him).

It is worth mentioning that, in general in the Hanafi school, memorization of primary texts (mutun) is not really emphasized because (a) many issues have important details (tafsil) that affect the ruling, and (b) the nature of how primary texts (mutun) are written is that they are based on rulings (furu’), while the underlying legal principles are explained in the commentaries (shuruh). Because of the latter, our curricula tend to teach commentaries (shuruh) more than other schools.

As for the best way of learning and retaining what one has studied in fiqh, I would advise you to study diligently under qualified scholars until you have sound understanding of the material, and to embody that knowledge in your life. Review that knowledge daily, even if only a little bit, but try your best to be consistent.

Also, keep personal contact with your teacher(s), and then if they permit, share that knowledge with others: your family, community, etc. Teaching is one of the best ways of mastering any discipline. And as our teachers have taught us, it is one of the intentions of learning, if coupled with sincerity:

The Intentions for Seeking Knowledge

May Allah grant us sincerity, knowledge, wisdom, and noble character. May He make us vehicles of immense benefit for the entire umma, for His sake alone… so as to please Him Most High, and so we may be coolness of the eyes of His blessed prophet, our Master Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Amin.

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani