About | Nur al-Idah
The Light of Clarification | Hasan al-Shurunbulali
INTRODUCTION
Nur al-Idah is a broadly taught Hanafi text which entails vast areas of jursprudence, namely the rulings pertaining to worship. It leaves the student well prepared to deal the entirety of issues from purification to hajj. It reveals in a small way as to why the Hanafi Madhhab is held in such high esteem from scholars all over the world. It is practical, sensible, and can be used as a reference. This book is based on the teachings of Abu Hanifa and his students, namely Imam Muhammad, Abu Yusuf, and Zufar; and provides the reader with and insight into one of the most widely embraced Madhhabs by the judicial systems in the world today.
FORMAT OF THE TEXT
This text of Nur al-Idah presents the Arabic followed by its English translation in bold text. Usually, explanation translated from Maraky al-Falah follows the bold text, which is the explanation of Nur al-Idah. Both books are authored by the same person: Hasan Shurunbulali.
Moreover, It has been my (Translator) attempt to translate the text of Nur al-Idah in a manner that can be read independently without reading the commentary or explanatory notes, although at times - interpretation is essential in understanding the meaning of the actual text. As previously stated, interpretation and comments are by and large from Maraky al-Falah and at times from other Hanafi sources, such as Hashia ibn Abidin, al-Ikhtiyar, Al-Hidaya, Bajr ar-Ra’iq, and Badai’ as-Sanai’. One of the objectives of referencing other Hanafi texts is to provide greater clarity and aid the student to view the laws in a different light enabling one to deal with legal rules in a practical way. Indeed, a translation may simplify many things, though this will still require the complete and concentrated attention of the reader. Furthermore, the position of other schools, such as the Shafi’i Madhhab has been added in various places with the intent to give the reader a broader perspective on matters and demonstrate the similarities and differences between the various schools of thought.
As any endeavor in undertaken in translating an Islamic law book, it is possible as with all things to overlook fine points. However, in stating this, the reader should keep in mind that every effort was exhausted in ensuring the translation is an accurate and correct one. Despite having studied the text and its explanation numerous times under esteemed scholars; their direction, advice, interpretation, wisdom, and reference was sought at abundant sittings. Lastly, the rule that is displayed in bold is the law. The other opinions mentioned in the annotations and notes are not to be followed. They have been provided to teach the reader fiqh (jurisprudence). Therefore, the text in bold is the governing and primary text.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Nur Al-Idah is a classical text on Sacred Law, and for generations has been one of the most widely taught texts used to transmit reliable rulings on Islamic Law according to the Hanafi School. It is an ample law book that covers vast areas of learning ranging from purification to hajj. It leaves the student well prepared to deal with matters pertaining to worship and provides sufficient grounding in the matters one encounters daily. This text has been published for its first time into English and includes commentary from other Hanafi sources, such as Maraqi al-Falah, Radd Al-Muhtar, and al-Hidayah. It is understood that the seeker of knowledge requires Arabic text and for this reason it has been included along with the English to enable easier understanding.
Abu Hanifa was alone among his contemporaries in combining religious piety with and understanding of worldly needs, and especially the needs of a growing society. Due to the legal references constantly being made to him he had become acquainted with thousands of complicated questions concerning human relations. His council was to all intents and purposes a supreme court, which had decided hundreds of thousands of cases. It virtually had an official status and was consulted by state functionaries. Most of his disciples and associates, who numbered hundreds, were people holding judicial posts. To crown all, he was a born jurist with a flair for the finer points of law an intuitive appreciation of its operation in human affairs.
Imam Shafi’i said of him, “In fiqh, people are dependent on Abu Hanifa.” Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal said, “If in any matter there is agreement between three people, then one pays no attention to the verdict of anyone who disagrees with them.” Someone asked him, “Who are they?” He answered, “Abu Hanifa, Abu Yusuf, and Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan.”
Hasan Ibn Ammar Abu al-Ikhlas al-Misri Shurunbulali was born in 994 A.H. and is regarded by many as one of the greatest scholars of his time. He was described as a master in the areas of jurisprudence, primary text and base. His teachings were a source of great benefit for others. His immense knowledge of the Sacred Law was acquired at the hands of Abdullah al-Nahriri and Muhammad al-Mahby who said of him, “He was the lamp and luminous shine of Al-Azhar.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hasan al-Shurunbulali
He was one of the greatest scholars of his time. He is Hasan Ibn Ammar Abu al-Ikhlas al-Masri Shurunbulali born in 994 A.H. / [1580 CE]. He was one of the most distinguished scholars in jurisprudence and the greatest of his time and regard as the most brilliant and knowing in jurisprudence, primary text, and base.
He became a master of jurisprudence at the hands of Abdullah al-Nahriri and Muhammad al-Mahby. Imam Shurunbulali studied in the Azhar in Cairo and was a source of great benefit for others. Other scholars, such as al-Mahby said of him, “He was the lamp and luminous shine of al-Azhar.” The Imam (God be pleased with him) was a possessor of high moral qualities and an eloquence in the Arabic language. He was an individual who abstained from anything which resembled foulness and grasped to the religion of Allah. He authored a number of books for the benefit of the people such as:
Sharh al-Mandhuma Ibn Wahban (consisting of two volumes)
Nur al-Idah and Najatul Arwah (this book)
Tufatul Akmal
Hashia ala Kitab ad-Durar wal-Ghurar