of disagreement in every instance.

Thus, whenever I say “according to the more evident view (al-aẓhar)” or “the well-known view (al-mashhūr),” I am speaking of the two opinions—or the several opinions—reported in the school. If the disagreement is considerable, I call the preferred one “the more evident”; if it is not, I call it “the well-known.”

Whenever I say “the sounder position (al-aṣaḥ)” or “the sound position (al-ṣaḥīḥ),” I am referring to the two positions—or the various positions—advanced by the jurists. If the disagreement is considerable, I say “the sounder”; otherwise, “the sound.”

Whenever I say “the school position (al-madhhab),” I mean what is established through the two lines—or the several lines—of transmission.

Whenever I say “the Text (al-naṣṣ),” I mean the explicit statement of al-Shafi‘i, and alongside it there may be a weak position or a derived opinion.

Whenever I mention “the new view (al-jadīd),” the old view (al-qadīm) is its opposite; and whenever I say “the old view” or state something “according to an old view,” the new view is its opposite.

Whenever I preface something with “and it has been said: …,” that is a weak position, and the correct—or sounder—view is the contrary.

Whenever I say “and in one view it is …,” the preferable view is the opposite.

Among my additions are select and precious issues that this book should not be without. At the beginning of each of these I will say, “I say: …,” and at their end, “and Allah knows best.”

Any additional wording you find beyond what appears in al-Muḥarrar, rely on it, for it is indispensable. The same applies to any invocations (adhkār) that differ from what is in al-Muḥarrar or other works of fiqh; adopt them, for I have verified them against the reliable hadith collections.

At times I may bring certain issues forward within a chapter for the sake of relevance or brevity, and I may even advance an entire chapter for the same reason.

I hope that, once completed, this abridgement will in effect serve as a commentary on al-Muḥarrar, for I will omit none of its rulings at all, nor any of the points of dispute—even the weak ones—together with the valuable additions already mentioned.

I have also begun compiling a small treatise in the form of a commentary on the finer points of this abridgement. My aim in it is to draw attention to the wisdom behind departing from the wording of al-Muḥarrar, or attaching a qualifier, a particle, or a condition to an issue, and the like—most of which are necessities that cannot be dispensed with.

My reliance is upon Allah, the Most Generous; to Him I entrust my affairs and on Him I depend. I ask Him to make this work beneficial for me and for all Muslims, and to be pleased with me, my loved ones, and all the believers.