(More commonly known as “al-Muntaha”)
Author: Taqiy al-Din Muhammad b. Ahmad b. ‘Abdil ‘Aziz al-Futuhi al-Misri (famously known as Ibn al-Najjar) (d. 972 AH)
“Al-Futuhi” is taken from “Bab al-Futuh (Conquest Gate)” located in Old Cairo.
Al-Futuhi authored the al-Muntaha after he had traveled to Syria. He returned to Egypt after he had thoroughly revised the book and after having determined the official positions (Mu’tamad) of the Madhhab.
The author said in the introduction of the book:
“The Madhab was in need of a book like al-Tanqih al-Mushbi’ Fi Tahrir-i Ahkami-l Muqni’. But this book (al-Tanqih) always had to be combined with the original book (al-Muqni’). So I sought the guidance of Allah as I decided to combine the two books into one whilst adding on whatever was possible of valuable and rare knowledge. (I decided that) I wouldn’t exclude anything from the two source books besides the things one can do without and the opinions that are not relied upon and the issues that are based on these opinions. I will only mention the opinions that were corrected and put forward in al-Tanqih. However, I might point out other opinions now and again that are acted upon, or those that are famous, or those over which there is a strong difference of opinion. Also, whenever I would say “‘It is said such and such…’, which will be rare, it would mean that I haven’t come across passing their judgement over these opinions (whether they are relied upon or not).”
The Hanbali scholars during his time began relying on his book, to the extent that even his father would read it to his students and praise it. The books gained so much fame within the school that it almost caused people to forget the major books that were there for centuries. And just like al-Iqna’ it also became the book upon which the formation of juristic positions and verdicts depended.
Ibn Badran said in al-Madhkhal:
“The people began frequenting the book whilst leaving all other books from those of the ancient Hanbali scholars out of laziness and also as a result of forgetting the (true) intent of the scholars of this Madhhab.”
Even though the author based this book on the official opinions of the Madhhab, he (may Allah have mercy on him) complicated it with some of its phraseology. But he explained them in his commentary… and as they say, “The owner of the house is best aware of what lies inside.”
Sh. Bakr Abu Zaid said in al-Madhkhal:
“We’ve heard that both Sh. Muhammad b. ‘Abdil ‘Aziz b. Mani’ (d. 1385 AH) and Sh. ‘Abdullah b. Muhammad b. Humaid (d. 1402 AH) used to memorize the book; they were probably the last ones to do so…”
Commentaries on al-Muntaha:
1) “Ma’unathu Uli-n Nuha” by the author himself.
Ibn Badran said, “Then he wrote a very beneficial commentary on it in three large volumes and in it he primarily relied on Ibn Muflih’s book al-Furu’.”
2) It was also explained by Taj al-Din al-Buhuti (not to be confused with Mansur al-Buhuti), the student of the author. Sh. ‘Uthman al-Najdi makes refers to this work a lot in his Hashiyah of al-Muntaha.
3) “Daqaiq Uli-n Nuha” by Sh. Mansur al-Buhuti (d. 1051 AH). [there will be a separate post dedicated to this book, InshaAllah]
4) The commentary of al-‘Awfi, Ibrahim Abu Bakr al-Dhanabi (d. 1094 AH). He was a student of Sh. Mansur al-Buhuti.
Annotations on al-Muntaha:
1) “Irshad Uli-n Nuha” by al-Buhuti (d. 1051 AH)
2) By ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Danushri, a student of al-Buhuti. Ibn Humaid quotes him a lot in his Hashiyah of Sharh al-Muhtaha. He says in al-Sahab al-Wabilah,
“He has a lot of valuable commentary on Sharh al-Muntaha which demonstrates his proficiency.”
3) “Tahrirat ‘Ala-l Muntaha by Yasin b. ‘Ali al-Labadi (d. 1058 AH).
Ibn Humaid said, “(it is) priceless…”
4) By the grandson of the author ‘Uthman b. Ahmad b. Muhammad al-Futuhi (d. 1064).
5) By Muhammad b. Ahmad b. Muhammad al-Khalwati (d. 1088 AH). He was the student of Sh. Mansur al-Buhuti and also his nephew and son-in-law. His annotation was compiled after his death.
6) The Imam of al-Masjid al-Haram, ‘Uthman b. Qa-id al-Najdi (d. 1097 AH). He was a student of al-Khalwati.
Ibn Humaid said about this work, “An invaluable footnotes and annotations. They were compiled by his student Ibn ‘Awd.”
Ibn Badran said, “It is a beneficial piece of work and a display of careful examination and accuracy.”
This book was merged with other works by Sh. Mar’i al-Karmi (d. 1033 AH) in his “Ghayatu-l Muntaha”.
Sh. Mar’i also abridged al-Muntaha in the form of a shorter Fiqh manual called it Dalil al-Talib. Ibn Mani’ said, “It is said that it (Dalil al-Talib) is a separate manual (i.e. – not abridged from al-Muntaha).”
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