He also has a book more extensive than that, entitled al-Mughnī, a work of comparative jurisprudence in which he mentions the two opinions and the two narrations from Imam Ahmad, as well as those of other scholars among the early and later generations.

He also has a book entitled al-ʿUmdah fī al-Fiqh, a concise work confined to one opinion; yet he mentions the evidences alongside the rulings.

Hence it was said:

In our age, al-Muwaffaq was an authority—
upon his firmly grounded jurisprudence the fundamental principles rely.

Al-Kāfī suffices mankind, while al-Muqniʿ satisfies the student of jurisprudence without need for a lengthy book.

Al-Mughnī of jurisprudence enriches whoever seeks knowledge,
and whoever relies upon his al-ʿUmdah attains what he seeks.

His Rawḍah, rich in fundamental principles, is like a garden
whose flowers are swayed by the breaths of the north wind.

It indicates the explicit wording with the strongest indication,
and gives the most excellent treatment to the implied meaning.

These verses were composed by the litterateur Yahya ibn Yusuf al-Sarsari, in a lengthy poem in which he praises Allah, extols the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them; mentions a group of the Successors and those who followed them; and mentions Imam Ahmad and a number of his companions, may Allah Most High have mercy upon them. (1)

Al-Muwaffaq, Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi, died in 620 AH.

Upon a single opinion, which is the preponderant one …

His statement, “upon a single opinion,” means that he does not cite more than one opinion, for the sake of brevity and so as not to distract the student’s mind.

His statement, “which is the preponderant one,” means: the preponderant of the two opinions. A given issue may, however, have only one opinion.