we hold that selling a copy of the Quran is permissible, then it is valid; and if we hold that it is prohibited, then it is not valid.
His statement: “Rather, jurisprudence”: that is, teaching jurisprudence. Jurisprudence is self-evident, and this includes teaching tawḥīd (monotheism), for tawḥīd is the greater jurisprudence, as the scholars have said. It is nobler than the second, lesser jurisprudence. Knowledge of the rulings pertaining to the limbs is lesser jurisprudence, whereas knowledge of the rulings pertaining to the hearts is the greater jurisprudence, namely the knowledge of tawḥīd. Thus, it is valid for him to say, “The dower is that I teach you the Book of Tawḥīd,” because this involves teaching, effort, difficulty, and imparting understanding. Likewise, if he says, “I will teach you the chapter on prayer from a book of jurisprudence,” this is permissible, but he must specify it. Thus, he should say, “The Book of Prayer from Zād al-Mustaqniʿ,” or “from al-Rawḍ al-Murbiʿ,” because the Book of Prayer in al-Mughnī is not the same as that in al-Zād; the same is true if it is from al-Inṣāf. Therefore, it must be specified.
His statement: “And literature”: in technical usage, literature is knowledge of the pre-Islamic and Islamic poets, matters relating to them, and their circumstances. Thus, for example, he may teach her the life of Imruʾ al-Qays or the Seven Muʿallaqāt. Through this, she may benefit from rhetoric in its three branches: elucidation, meanings, and rhetorical embellishment. She may perhaps also learn poetry.
His statement: “And permissible poetry”: the author stipulated that the poetry be permissible, because some poetry is impermissible and some is permissible. Whatever is free of temptation and incitement to corruption is permissible. But whatever contains temptation—such as erotic verse about a particular woman, or, Allah forbid, erotic verse about beardless youths, or verse celebrating wine and the like, and encouraging it—is prohibited. It is not permissible for him to teach her poetry of this kind.