CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A BOOK OF COMMENTARY (SHARH)

by Albany Buipe

Broadly books, as they relate to students of knowledge, can be categorised as follows:

1. Kutub al-Ta'sil. These are fundamental books recommended for beginners and selected by one's teacher or often environment. E.g. Ajjrumiyyah, al-Arba'unah al-Nawawiyyah, Salasah al-Usul, Kitab al-Tawhid, al-Durar al-Bahiyyah, al-Akhdari, Taqrib al-Lum'ah, al-Usul min 'Ilm al-Usul etc. The best approach to learn these books is to memorise them and follow an explanation in front of a qualified and well-versed scholar.

2. Shuruh. These are commentaries made on the previous category but, of course, commentaries can be made on all kinds of books. Perhaps, we can list notes and scholarly observations here as well; they are called al-Hawashi (or sing. Hashiyah). Hashiyah often are brief comments that a scholar passes on aspects of a book.

3. Kutub al-Bahth, or Mutala'ah. These are books for advanced students and scholars for the purposes of research and advanced studies. We could further divide this category into two depending on the size and subject matter and number of subjects. This is to calculate how much time one is required to read the book in question.

First, there books that discuss a single issue in a few pages say 100 to 500 or anything less than 800. I'm making these numbers up but they're reasonable. Depending on a couple of things, a serious student should read them at once. For instance, al-Hadith al-Da'if wa Hukm al-Ihtijaj bih of Shaykh 'Abd al-Karim al-Khudayr is approximately 500 pages long and should be read and summarised in a day, and at most two, especially for students advanced in hadith.

Ta'zim al-'Ilm of Shaykh Salih al-'Usaymi should be read in a few hours. But each of them could be studied for longer periods.

And then there are the others that discuss a number of issues in different styles and from different angles. Examples would include Fath al-Bari, Nayl al-Awtar, Ma'arij al-Qabul, al-Tamhid, al-Majmu Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, al-Mughni, al-Sharh al-Mumti, etc.

These books may take months or years to read. There is none in this category, for example, that I have personally read from beginning to end. However, on every matter that I have researched, I have probably read the relevant areas from all these books. I am quite hopeful about that.

From here forward, I want to outline some criteria to consider when making a choice for a book in category 2 (Shuruh): A. Time B. Author C. Commonness D. Style and E. Research and F. Recommendation G. Publisher and Editor.

TIME

By 'Time,' I mean that one should look for classic books first. These are often commentaries that are closest to the era of the author if not from the same. The advantage of these commentaries is that they are written in a time that often the book would be subject of the day, so quite often all necessary points would be noted and what is left out might not be that significant.

The reason one should go for this criterion is obvious in two reasons: 1) classic is always the first choice of scholars 2) later commentaries are often modifications of classic.

Let's take Bulugh al-Maram as an example. The most common sharh is Subul al-Salam. But the most classic is al-Badr al-Tamam. Shaykh Dr. Diya al-'Umari has this fine commentary called I'lam al-Anam, in his introduction, he points out by how much Subul al-Salam is less in terms of hadith-proficiency, for example, and by how much he has taken from al-Badr al-Tamam. Thus, settling for al-Badr al-Tamam, one does not lose anything or, at least, not so much. I'll later mention the advantages of Subul over al-Badr al-Tamam. And, al-hamd lil al-Allah, I have read both and benefited from them.

Similarly, the most classic and authoritative book on al-Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah is that of Ibn Abi al-'Izz. In fact, one could argue that there is no other commentary that matches it. Sure, there are others but it is the most common, the most ancient and most referenced. So don't think next time you come across it, just pay for it!

AUTHOR

In a case, where you are uncertain about a commentary among a list, make your choice on grounds of the author. Generally settle for classic authors--point is let the criterion of time (or 'classicness') guide your decision. But what is even better is to settle for authors whose authority and creed is agreed upon.

Thus, assuming you're confused between the commentaries of Shaykh 'Uthaymin and 'Ali al-Sabuni, settle for that of 'Uthaymin because he is a most trustworthy scholar than al-Sabuni. There are less refutations of him by the leading scholars of the era, (or even none at all), as opposed to al-Sabuni who was refuted by Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan from cover-to-cover in his Safwah al-Tufasir. Similarly, al-Albani has refuted him randomly in a number of places.

However, if you're to choose between the commentaries of Usul al-Salasah, between Shaykh 'Uthaymin and Ibn Qasim, Ibn Qasim is a better option in that the criterion of a good and reliable author is met in him, and the criterion of time is much more in him than 'Uthaymin. But for some other reasons like size 'Uthaymin would remain a better choice.

Here, also, it is important to consider the author's mastery on the subject matter. For instance, Shaykh 'Uthaymin is arguably a better commentator than Shaykh Salih al-'Usaymi for beginners, for instance. However, the latter's proficiency in Hadith is beyond average-scholarly-mastery. Therefore, his commentary would be a better choice.

For a practical example, though, I'm better off using 'Abd al-Karim al-Khudayr's Tahqiq al-Raghabah, a commentary on Nukhbah al-Fikar against Shaykh Uthaymin's. The first is a better choice. Similarly, Dr. Ibrahim al-Lahim's is a better choice than Uthaymin's. In fact, it is probably the overall best commentary on the book.

COMMONNESS

While choosing a commentary, it is important to consider how common it is among scholars and students in general and among the people of your locality. This is important for several reasons: if you're stuck on a matter, you'll easily find help than going for something uncommon. The commonness of the author is also important.

Let's go back to al-Badr al-Tamam and Subul al-Salam once again. I'll recommend Subul al-Salam, despite the advantages of al-Badr, because it is most common and most scholars have studied and taught it not al-Badr. Imam al-San'ani is a more common name than al-Hasan b. Muhammad al-Maghribi (to be frank, I had to use Google to confirm his name).

In this case, the commonness of the names might be that significant, but going for less popular scholars has the dangers of compromising your 'Aqidah. I'll give a bold but not too wise example below.

Shaykh Muhsin al-'Abbad is a most common name, he has served as president of Madinah University and teacher of thousands of scholars across the globe.

Therefore, you should choose his commentary on Sunan Abi Dawud over al-Khattabi's although the latter's is the most classic commentary in Hadith overall. Students who are advanced know that the bulk of al-Khattabi's explanation of 'Aqidah (espeically on Allah's Names and Attributes) is floored.

Going for Shaykh Muhsin's one is safe because his 'Aqidah and everything else is much more intact. Shaykh Salim al-Hilali's Bahjah al-Nazar, a commentary on Riyadh al-Salihin is an excellent book. I have benefited from it quite a lot, it adds so much to that of 'Uthaymin. But you should not be confused about the two because 'Uthaymin is a much common name. But under the criterion of recommendation, then al-Hilali's might win the race.

STYLE

Style is another critical point to look out for when making a choice of commentary. Shaykh Harras' commentary on al-Wasitiyyah is one of the most authoritative. B. Baz's too. Salih's al-Fawzan's as well. Most all these great scholars have excellent commentaries.

However, Shaykh Uthaymin's, I believe beats them all. I have not seen anything significant that all the others have he does not discuss. But what differentiates his is the style and presentation.

For example, after discussing some of the attributes of Allah, he talks about how they should affect the reader's conduct. This is something you don't find easily in the others. He discusses the grammatical rules that affect the verses and how they affect the meaning. He poses questions and answers them.

In Tawqid al-Shumu'ah, a commentary I wrote the past Ramadan on my book, Taqrib al-Lum'ah, apart from the grammar, I have generally tried to imitate the style of Shaykh 'Uthaymin. And I have additionally, added discussions of hadith chains and even points of benefits on the chains something you don't find easily. Don't blame or praise me, I have spent a considerable amount of time on the books of 'Uthaymin and al-Albani. Allah have mercy on them both.

While talking about style, I am tempted to say that Shaykh al-Basam's commentary on Bulugh al-Maram is better than all else; it is called Tawdih al-Ahkam. He starts off with explanation of uncommon terms (gharib al-hadith), then general interpretation (al-ma'na al-ijmali), then discussions of rules and opinions of scholars and finally points of benefits (al-fawa'id). Did I forget the ruling of the hadith? He discusses that too with names of the scholars who authenticate the hadith. My Ustadh used it when we studied Bulugh al-Maram.

And by the way, he was a mate of Shaykh 'Uthaymin. Similarly, Shaykh 'Uthaymin's commentary on the Forty Hadith stands out when it comes to style, plus, the name is most common and he is a great authority and most trusted in terms of 'Aqidah. So by all means, if you are undecided about the commentaries of the Forty Hadith settle for his own.

At the same time, however, when it comes to details and proficiency, I personally believe the overall best commentary of the Forty Hadith is in English: that of Dr. Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo. I would argue that it is because he has relied on almost all available literature on the book.

But if we're talking about time, go for Ibn Rajab's--Jami al-'Ulum wa al-Hikam. It has almost become the most classic. In addition, he is an authority in Hadith Science, famed in commentaries on Hadith. Scholars have argued that if he had finished his Fath al-Bari (also a commentary on al-Bukhari) Ibn Hajar's would not have neared it. Plus, he was a student of Ibn al-Qayyim.

RESEARCH

Some books are better suited for research purpose. For instance, Dalil al-Mu'allim of 'Abd al-'Aziz b. Dakhil al-Matiri, a commentary of Usul al-Salasah, is one of the best commentaries of the book especially for the purposes of research. He talks on different aspects of the same issue with all references. For research, no other commentary matches it. The author would quote all relevant quotes on the topic matter, do all the divisions and list verses and ahadith relevant to it.

In this category, are such books that combine a number of others from different authors and scholars. There is recently, this commentary on the Forty Hadith that combines the commentaries of Uthaymin, his teacher, al-Sa'di, al-Nawawi's own, Ibn Daqiq's, and others. Most students looking at the names jump to it.

However, it is not a good choice for beginners and intermediate students. Beginners are better off sticking with the commentary of just one scholar and mastering their style and approach. Books that combine different authors are meant for research purposes.

Similarly, I have books in my library that I don't even read or recommend, I mean books that are there because I need to refute some claims in them, so all of these are purchased for research purposes not reading or studies.

RECOMMENDATION

The fore-going points and discussion are for the case where you have to decide among a list on your own. But in the case where a scholar or a teacher recommends a specific commentary, or book in general, to you just forget everything else and settle for the recommendation.

Similarly, a number of scholars have a list of books they recommend in various fields for students, it is equally recommended to purchase all the books on such lists. Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd has a fine list in Hilyah Talib al-'Ilm, Shaykh 'Uthaymin has a list too (his seems to be targeting advanced students though, B. Baz's too). Shaykh al-Albani's list is also beginner-intermediate-friendly. In hadith, Shaykh 'Abd al-Karim al-Khudayr has a fine list in his introduction to Alfiyyah al-'Iraqi as well.

I personally have resolved to using the following list for teaching (not necessarily in this order from 3): 1) Ajjrumiyyah along Madinah Arabic 2) Salasah al-Usul 3) Kitab al-Tawhid 4) al-Qawa'id al-Arba' 5) Taqrib al-Lum'ah 6) al-Durar al-Bahiyyah 7) Nukhbah al-Fikar 7) al-Usul min 'Ilm al-Usul 8) al-Arba'unah al-Nawawiyyah etc.

PUBLISHER and EDITOR 

'Editor' in this context is different from the person who reads a book for the purpose of making corrections. In Islamic literature, a muhaqqiq is a person who prepares a book from written manuscripts for print publication. They usually prefix the book with a studies of the author's life, approach in writing in general, but often in the book in hand, and some might add notes and reference all relevant points.

This criterion is important to only advanced students. It is even hard to cite examples here, but I'll give some points to consider.

Let's me take example of some two books in my library: 1) Tafsir b. Kathir and 2) Fath al-Majid. I bought the first with my school fees back in high school and my mom had to pay some more money. Allah bless her.

Anyway, the publishers added in the introduction 1) Ibn Taymiyah's Muqaddimah fi Usul al-Tafsir along the commentary of Shaykh 'Uthaymin 2) al-Qawa'id al-Hisan fi Tafsir Ay al-Qur'an, some 100 plus points on how to study and understand the Qur'an by Shaykh al-Sa'di along the commentary of Shaykh 'Uthaymin. 3) And with the verses on which Shaykh Ahmad Shakir commented in his publication of Tafsir al-Tabari, they added his comments.

That's not all. In addition, 4) they added the notes of Ibn Taymiyah on verses he spoke on from one of his excellent books on the subject. So plus the Tafsir book itslef, these are 7 books all excellent ones. Still, they also added the conclusions of Shaykh al-Albani on the rulings of the ahadith quoted throughout the Tafsir.

So the publisher and editors matter a lot when you're buying a book. Similarly, the copy of Fath al-Majid I have, has notes of Shaykh B. Baz, I think in what is called Qurrah al-'Ayn, and it also comes along with complete authentication of all ahadith.

But I need to state that in our setting and environment, it is hard to always get the best publication. Thus, I often just buy whatever is available and buy a better publication whenever I come across one. The influence of the price also could be added to the list, but it is often an offshoot of the publication. Generally good publications cost more.

Hopefully, in time, I'll write again on buying books in general instead of commentaries and maybe on studying too.

Finally, how do I know about all these? Because I have them all, or almost. At the end of the day, when you have money buy everything.