Sharh 'Uqud Rasm al-Mufti شرح عقود رسم المفتي

Sharh 'Uqud Rasm al-Mufti (شرح عقود رسم المفتي), translated as “Commentary on the Protocol of the Mufti,” is a foundational masterwork in Hanafi jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Ifta (the methodology of issuing Islamic legal verdicts).

Written by the legendary 13th-century Hijri scholar Imam Muhammad Amin ibn 'Abidin (d. 1252 AH / 1836 CE)—the author of the ultimate Hanafi reference Radd al-Muhtar—this text is a self-commentary on his own didactic poem (Urjuzah) consisting of 73 verses. The edition published by Dar Yusuf al-Nabhani is a highly sought-after print of this essential curriculum text.

The Importance of the Book

Within the Hanafi school, Sharh 'Uqud Rasm al-Mufti is considered the definitive manual for understanding the hierarchy of legal opinions. It teaches scholars and muftis how to:

Identify the Relied-Upon Position (Al-Mu’tamad): It outlines how to prioritize opinions when there are conflicting views among the founding imams (Imam Abu Hanifah, Abu Yusuf, and Muhammad al-Shaybani).

Classify Hanafi Texts: It categorizes the books of the school into three levels: Zahir al-Riwayah (the primary authorities), Nawadir (rare reports), and Waqi’at (fatwas of later scholars).

Understand the Ethics of a Mufti: It details the spiritual, intellectual, and procedural ethics that a jurist must embody when answering religious queries.

The Dar Yusuf al-Nabhani Edition

The edition published by Dar Yusuf al-Nabhani is highly regarded by students of Ifta (Islamic legal verdicts) primarily for its compact layout, highly legible traditional typesetting, and faithful preservation of Imam Ibn 'Abidin’s original commentary structure, making it an affordable and portable study companion for the Hanafi curriculum.