and by explicitly identifying what is abrogated together with its abrogating text, the general with its particular qualifier, the unrestricted with its restriction, the ambiguous with its clarification, and the outward wording with its sound interpretation. I shall also allude to subtle points of legal theory, offer select notes on Arabic philology, and present choice discussions of jurisprudential disagreement—according to what has reached me from the statements of the imams and to the extent that my understanding can grasp the major objectives. I intend, God willing, to maintain this method in every chapter.

If the same ḥadīth text is repeated in a chapter other than the one in which it first appeared, I will mention the wisdom behind the repetition without reproducing the text—unless its wording or meaning differs, in which case I will point out only the place of difference. Should it recur in yet another chapter, then, after the first occurrence, I will confine myself to stating the relevance, explaining whatever has not previously been discussed, and directing the reader to the earlier location where the matter was treated in full. If, however, the evidence is not readily apparent in the earlier chapter except with some difficulty, I shall adjust this procedure: in the first instance I will limit myself to the linkage, and in the second to the successive flow of expressions—all the while safeguarding the advantage of concision and avoiding rambling or prolixity.

I ask Allah to favor me, by His bounty and grace, with the assistance to complete this work; to guide me—by His leave—to the truth about which people differ; to grant me a lavish reward in the Hereafter for devoting myself to the traces of His Prophet; and to shower continuous and abundant blessings upon me and upon anyone who consults, reads, or copies this book. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the Responsive.