Rasm al-Mufti (verse 1-8): Introduction

[The following is part (1) of a series on two commentaries of Allm. Ibn Abidin Shami's Uqud Rasm al-Mufti. The first commentary is an elaboration by Muhammad Saifur Rahman placed under summary. The second commentary is a translation of Allm. Ibn Abidin Shami's Sharh Uqud Rasm al-Mufti. This part gives an introduction and outlines the objective which is the presentation of a charter in poetic form that seeks to curtail rogue practices and instil regulation and consistency in edicts forwarded to the masses.]

Summary

All praise is to Allah almighty, blessing and salutation be upon his messenger, his family and companions. Mercy be upon those preserved the din and forwarded it to us untainted. So in the lofty hope of joining their ranks, the undeserving slave, Muhahammad Saifur Rahman Nawhami (may Allah almighty forgive him) says, the following is an succinct elaboration of Uqud Rasm al-Mufti of Allamah Muhammad Amin b. Abidin Shami (may Allah almighty have mercy upon him). The work outlines a charter, the code of conduct, for Muftis and those issuing edicts. I pray Allah almighty accepts and brings it to completion.

I start in the name of the Lord, Allah almighty, the giver of tenets through which He guides us with His sheer abundance and care. I start with praise forever in his arrangement, content with commandment for He is the most wise and kind; He has power over everything.

Salutation and peace eternally be upon the prophet who brought us the way; guidance from almighty Allah. Salutation be upon his honoured family and peers, who aided him and preserved the din for the generation to come. Peace be upon them throughout the passage of time and the years; at every moment.

[So] The slave who is paltry and wrong doing, the great Hanafi faqih Muhammad Amin ibn Umar also known as Muhammad ibn Abidin Shami (1198–1252 AH), is seeking through this work the accord of his lord, one and gracious; there is none worthy of worship but Him. He is seeking triumphant acceptance in the purpose and objective of this work which is to outlines a charter; a highlight of the code of practice and restrictions of rogue practices and personal whim. He is seeking triumphant acceptance in the arrangement of an ordered jewel through the succinct and clear presentation of principles which already exists in the natural law. The ordered jewel is presented as a pearl chaplet, rare and exceptional available now to you as a didactic poem, easy to remember and not found in this form before.

I titled it Uqud Rasm al-Mufti, the chaplet of the Mufti’s charter. This is an indispensable tool needed by the expert and the mufti ensuring self-regulation and consistency in edicts forwarded to the masses. Now, I begin on the purpose at hand, of presenting this charter, permitting the grace from the sea abound for knowledge is from Allah almighty and nothing can succeed if He does not permit.

Sharh Uqud Rasm al-Mufti

[Allamah Ibn Abidin (may Allah have mercy upon him) says:]

All praise is to Allah, who has given us guidance from the outset, and guided us from error with his sheer abundance and care. Peace and blessings be upon our leader Muhammad, who is secured from all transgressions, as well as his family, and companions, who are conveyors [of knowledge] and people of understanding. Peace and blessings be upon them; infinite and unlimited.

So says the meagre mortal, grasping the mercy of his lord with firm trust, Muhammad Amin ibn Umar Abidin al-Maturidi al-Hanafi, who is helped by his lord through veiled kindness: this is a succinct exposition on my [didactic] poem titled Rasm al-Mufti. It clarifies its meanings and lists the obscure and anomalous issues. I ask the sublime that he make this endeavour solely for his noble sake and make it a basis for great success. Thus I say and through it I ask help at all times

Muhammad Saifur Rahman Nawhami
7 Jumada II 1434
18 April 2013