Radd al-Muhtar

Radd al-Muhtar (The Answer to the Perplexed) is a multi-volume commentary on Hanafi Islamic law written by Ibn Abidin in the 19th century. The work serves as a comprehensive explanation of al-Haskafi's Durr al-Mukhtar, which itself is a commentary on earlier Hanafi legal texts. The text covers major areas of Islamic jurisprudence including worship, commercial transactions, marriage, divorce, criminal law, and inheritance. Ibn Abidin incorporates and analyzes views from various Hanafi scholars while providing his own legal reasoning and preferred positions on disputed matters. The book contains detailed discussions of legal principles, etymological analysis of Arabic terms, and examination of evidence from primary Islamic sources. References to historical events, social conditions, and customs of the time period provide context for the legal rulings. As a culmination of centuries of Hanafi legal scholarship, Radd al-Muhtar represents both preservation of traditional Islamic law and its adaptation to address new circumstances. The work remains influential in contemporary Islamic legal education and practice.

Readers consistently point to Radd al-Muhtar's comprehensive coverage of Hanafi fiqh rulings and Ibn Abidin's detailed analysis of previous scholars' opinions. Many note its value as a reference work for complex legal questions. Liked: - Clear organization by legal topics - Extensive footnotes and citations - Author addresses multiple viewpoints - Practical examples that apply rulings to real situations Disliked: - Dense academic language makes it challenging for casual readers - Some sections assume deep prior knowledge of Islamic law - Limited English translations available - Physical copies are expensive and hard to find No ratings available on Goodreads or Amazon. The book is primarily discussed in Arabic-language Islamic studies forums and scholarly reviews. One reader on an Islamic forum wrote: "Ibn Abidin methodically examines every angle of each ruling, making this text indispensable for serious students." Another noted: "The language barrier makes it inaccessible to many who could benefit from its insights."

Al-Hidayah by Burhan al-Din al-Marghinani A comprehensive manual of Hanafi jurisprudence that serves as a foundational text for the same legal school discussed in Radd al-Muhtar.

Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah by Sheikh Nizam and Scholars of India A collection of Hanafi legal rulings compiled by scholars that expands on many topics covered in Radd al-Muhtar.

Al-Bahr al-Ra'iq by Ibn Nujaym A detailed commentary on Islamic jurisprudence that follows the same Hanafi methodology and references many of the same primary sources.

Majma' al-Anhur by Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad Shaykhi Zadah A synthesis of Hanafi legal opinions that builds upon the same classical sources and legal framework.

Durr al-Mukhtar by Al-Haskafi The primary text upon which Ibn Abidin wrote Radd al-Muhtar as a commentary, containing the core legal rulings and principles.

🔹 Ibn Abidin wrote this comprehensive legal commentary, also known as "Hashiyat Ibn Abidin," over a period of 35 years, completing it in 1836 CE - making it one of the most recent major works of classical Hanafi jurisprudence 🔹 The book serves as a super-commentary on "Al-Durr al-Mukhtar," which itself is a commentary on "Tanwir al-Absar" - showcasing the layered nature of Islamic legal scholarship where scholars build upon previous works 🔹 In many modern legal matters, particularly in areas that were once part of the Ottoman Empire, Radd al-Muhtar is still consulted as an authoritative reference for Hanafi legal rulings 🔹 Ibn Abidin wrote this masterwork in Damascus while serving as the Mufti of Syria, incorporating both traditional Hanafi views and practical solutions for issues faced by Muslims in the Ottoman era 🔹 The work is so comprehensive that it covers not just religious obligations, but also addresses commercial law, family law, criminal law, and even international relations - making it a complete legal encyclopedia of its time