by bringing it out in this beautiful form and clothing it in a splendid new garment adorned with the following embellishments:

First, the author—may Allah have mercy on him—had kept the sourcing of the book’s hadiths to a minimum to make it easier for young students to memorize. The editor supplied what was lacking, providing references for its Quranic verses and sourcing its hadiths in a manner that spared the reader the trouble of consultation and research. He also documented its texts and original sources so clearly that anyone following his references would not lose the way.

Second, the editor added statements in the margins, some of which complete a meaning while others qualify a statement. He traced these marginal notes to their sources—usually works by the author, though some came from elsewhere—and thus completed the author’s work by drawing upon his own scholarship and writings.

Third, the editor produced the book with such careful formatting and organization that the edition serves as a guidepost for its reader and almost as a commentary for anyone studying it. This has made its meaning easier to grasp and brought even its furthest reaches within easy access. In view of all this, I advise those responsible for education to teach the book in classes suited to it. I likewise advise aspiring students to adopt it as a stepping-stone to the study of jurisprudence and make it their introduction to the larger works that follow. Allah grants success. May Allah bestow blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions.

Written by: Abd Allāh ibn Abd al-Rahmān al-Bassām
Member of the Council of Senior Scholars
25/4/1421 AH