The Reliable Manual of Fiqh (2 volume set) is a translation of and commentary on Ibn Qudâmah's highly esteemed 'Umdat al-Fiqh, an abridged book of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) according to the Hanbali school. Dr. Hatem al-Haj has translated and elaborated on it, noting the opinions of other schools of Islamic jurisprudence, thus giving the English-speaking student a broader base for his or her understanding of fiqh.

The author has made the difficult subject of fiqh easier to learn and more comprehensible by using visual aids and a unique symbol system. This book is a must-have for the serious student of knowledge. In the author's words:

The Sharia, based on the holy revelation (the Quran and Sunnah), sets out the way for believers to sustain a devotional relationship with their creator and to treat His creation with justice and graciousness. In ‘Umdat al-Fiqh, Imam Ibn Qudamah has produced a valuable resource by summarizing all the rules according to the Hanbali school; in these volumes, I have translated his authoritative manual and written a commentary on it. My commentary includes the views of the other schools of fiqh where warranted, and it addresses some contemporary issues, particularly those pertaining to Muslims living as minorities in non-Muslim societies. I augmented it with proofs from the revelations, as well as rational arguments, and expounded on some of the wisdom of the legislation. I also used symbols and bullet points, as well as charts, tables, and graphs for simplification. This, I hope, will allow for the book to be utilized with ease and referred to as a primary source of fiqh.

About the Author

Dr. Hatem al-Haj is the Chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee of the College of Islamic Studies at Mishkah University and a member of the Fatwa Committee of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA). He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Fiqh and a Masters in Islamic Law. He is the author of many published books and papers on Islamic topics. Dr. al-Haj's website, www.drhatemalhaj.com, is a useful resource for information on Islam and topics of interest to new Muslims, young Muslims, and Muslims living in non-Muslim societies.