Is'ad al-Mufti 'ala Sharh 'Uqud Rasm al-Mufti إسعاد المفتي على شرح عقود رسم المفتي

The purpose of this book is to  systematize the methodology of issuing Islamic legal verdicts (Ifta’) and to cultivate a deep-rooted, authentic legal aptitude (Al-Malakah al-Fiqhiyyah) in the student.

1. The Foundation: Ibn Abidin’s "Uqud Rasm al-Mufti"

The foundation of this work is the didactic poem (Manzhumah) and prose commentary written by Imam Ibn Abidin (the author of the famous Radd al-Muhtar, commonly known as the Hashiyah Ibn Abidin). Recognizing that many muftis of his time were issuing verdicts based on weak opinions or misapplying legal texts, Ibn Abidin wrote this text as a constitution for Hanafi Muftis. It outlines the hierarchy of opinions in the school, the authoritative nature of the “Manifest Reports” (Zahir al-Riwayah), and how to navigate disagreements between the founding authorities: Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Abu Yusuf, and Imam Muhammad al-Shaybani.

2. The Contribution of Dr. Salah Abu al-Hajj

Dr. Salah Abu al-Hajj’s work, Is’ad al-Mufti (which translates to “Bringing Happiness to the Mufti”), is not a mere passive editing of the manuscript; rather, it is an active, educational commentary. His contributions include:

Pedagogical Structuring: He formats and explains the complex legal jargon of the classical era into a structured, step-by-step methodology suitable for modern students of law and jurisprudence.

Verification of Rulings: He meticulously verifies the sources of the legal rulings cited by Ibn Abidin, ensuring that the student understands why a particular position is considered the reliance (Mu’tamad) of the school.

Cultivating Juristic Aptitude (Malakah): Instead of teaching students to simply memorize rulings, Dr. Salah guides them on how to think like a classical Hanafi jurist—learning how to weigh evidence, apply legal maxims, and adapt rulings to modern circumstances without violating the school’s principles.

3. Key Themes Covered in the Book

For any researcher or Mufti operating within the Hanafi school, this book is an indispensable manual that explains:

The Hierarchy of Authorities: When to prioritize the opinion of Abu Hanifah over his main students (the Sahibayn), and under what specific conditions the opinions of Abu Yusuf, Muhammad al-Shaybani, or Zufar are preferred.

Types of Narrations: Distinguishing between Zahir al-Riwayah (the six foundational books of the school), Nawadir (rare or isolated narrations), and Waqi’at (verdicts issued by later scholars on new issues).

The Role of Custom (Urf) and Necessity (Darurah): Defining when a Mufti is permitted to deviate from the primary authoritative position of the school to accommodate changing times, societal customs, or extreme public hardship.