Al-Ikhtiyar li-Ta’lil al-Mukhtar (2-Volume Set) – Dar al-Rawdah

Authored by Imam Abdullah bin Mahmud al-Mawsili

Critical Edition (Tahqiq) by Mufti Abu Lubaba Shah Mansur

Foreword by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani

Al-Ikhtiyar li-Talil al-Mukhtar (الاختيار لتعليل المختار) is one of the greatest classics of Hanafi jurisprudence and a cornerstone of traditional fiqh studies. Authored by the eminent 7th-century Hanafi jurist Imam Abdullah bin Mahmud al-Mawsili (d. 683 AH), it is a comprehensive commentary (sharh) on his own celebrated primer, Al-Mukhtar lil-Fatwa.

Renowned for its clarity and precision, the work presents the authoritative and preferred opinions of Imam Abu Hanifah and the Hanafi school, together with their evidences from the Quran and Hadith, the underlying legal reasoning (talil), and discussions of the agreements and disagreements among the leading jurists. 

Features of This Premium Dar al-Rawdah Edition

This outstanding two-volume edition from Dar al-Rawdah is an indispensable resource for students, teachers, muftis, and researchers of Hanafi fiqh. Critically edited (tahqiq) by the distinguished scholar Mufti Abu Lubaba Shah Mansur, it offers numerous scholarly and pedagogical enhancements rarely found in other editions.

The unique features of this edition include:

• Foreword by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani: This edition is graced with a foreword by the world-renowned contemporary authority on Hanafi jurisprudence, Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani. In his foreword, Mufti Taqi Usmani highly praises the work, stating that Mufti Abu Lubaba has performed a highly commendable service to the Islamic tradition in critically editing this text.

• Rigorous Manuscript Verification:The original text has been meticulously verified through the comparison and collation of four reliable manuscript copies, ensuring a highly accurate and dependable edition.

• Comprehensive Scholarly Notes: The editor provides insightful academic commentary, clarifies complex legal discussions, and explains the structure of the text where necessary.

• Clarification of Difficult Vocabulary and Pronouns: Challenging classical Arabic expressions are explained, and ambiguous pronoun references (damair) are identified, making the text significantly easier for students to follow.

• Identification of Preferred Hanafi Positions: Preferred legal opinions (al-rajih) are clearly highlighted and explained, providing immediate clarity for both study and practical fatwa application.

• Underlined Legal Maxims: Established legal maxims (qawaid fiqhiyyah) appearing throughout the text are underlined, helping students recognize and memorize these foundational principles.

• Teaching Aids and Subject Headings: Clear section headings have been added throughout the work, together with practical teaching notes that assist instructors in presenting the material effectively.

• Technical Glossary and Meticulous Proofreading: A glossary of specialized legal terminology facilitates quick reference, while the entire work has been carefully proofread to ensure a clean and reliable text.

Why Buy This Edition?

ًCombining rigorous textual scholarship, careful manuscript verification, modern pedagogical enhancements, and the endorsement of Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, this Dar al-Rawdah edition stands among the finest and most reliable prints of Al-Ikhtiyar available today. It is an essential addition to the library of every serious student, teacher, and scholar of Hanafi jurisprudence.

Print & Binding: Printed in two-color ink on premium cream-colored paper that is easy on the eyes, this edition is housed in a durable hardcover binding and includes an integrated ribbon bookmark for convenient study and reference.