BOOK ONE- ON FAITH
The meaning of faith and who is truly faithful. What is required from true believers and how they should conduct themselves. The five pillars of Islam (the oneness of Allah, prayer, payment of Zakat, Ramadan, Pilgrimage).The night journey of the messenger of Allah (PBUH)
BOOK TWO- ON PURIFICATION
The rules of wudu. Detailed instructions for proper ablutions before prayer. Why odd numbers are preferable in matters of cleaning and wiping , such as when cleaning the nose. The acts of fitra. Cleanliness of person, and of the mosque. The proper way to clean away bodily substances.
BOOK THREE- ON MENSTRUATION
Rules around menstruation; what is and isn’t permitted for a menstruating woman to do for her husband. Issues concerning marital relations. Purification in specific circumstances (intercourse, dreams, sleep etc). The process of conception. The importance of personal modesty. Tayammum; the act of dry ablution.
BOOK FOUR-ON PRAYER
Discussions around prayer. The development and history of Adhan. The correct way for Adhan to be pronounced. The role of the Imam. Women and prayer and what is permitted for them. Timings of prayer in specific circumstances. Permissibility of combining prayers. Prayer while travelling.
BOOK FIVE- ON ZAKAT
The obligation of sadaka ( zakat). The origins of the pillar of zakat. The rules in a variety of circumstances, dealing with the property that must be paid zadak on. The punishment for those who refuse to pay. The Khawarij, their origins and how to deal with them.
BOOK SIX- ON FASTING
Fasting in Ramadan. How the timing is to be arranged, when the sighting of the new moon
is sufficient, the size of the new moon. The obligation to eat during the night hours of Ramadan. Specific issues concerning fasting, such as while travelling or fasting on behalf of the dead. Other fasts.
BOOK SEVEN- ON PILGRIMAGE
A discussion of everything pertaining to Hajj. What is appropriate to wear, whether perfume is permitted. The state of Ihram and when it is entered and what is appropriate to it. The importance of Mecca and Medina. Umra during Ramadan. Instructions on women making Hajj and Umra, especially during menstruation.
BOOK EIGHT- ON MARRIAGE
A discussion of the particulars of marriage. Marriage as a merited activity that all men who can afford it should undertake. The prohibition of temporary marriage. Rules around who can be married to whom. Marriage to young girls and slaves. Appropriate sexual conduct within marriage. Advice in regard to women.
BOOK NINE- ON DIVORCE
The three kinds of divorce; Ahsan, or most laudable, the Hasan, or laudable, and the Bid’a or irregular. Specific rules and procedures of divorce. Why it is forbidden to divorce a menstruating women. Maintenance allowance is not made after irrevocable divorce. Rules of the ‚Idda period after death or divorce.
BOOK TEN- ON BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
Rules around permissible business conduct. Two types of business transactions, Mulamasa and Munabadha, are forbidden. Specific rules about honest and fair conduct in business. Laws abut leasing of land. Debt and conduct towards debtors. Selling water in barren land forbidden. Rules of prohibition on profiting from certain earnings.
BOOK ELEVEN- ON THE RULES OF INHERITANCE
Rules of inheritance. Sharing the inheritance and the remainder becoming the property of the nearest male heir. The prohibition on inheriting from a non-Muslim, or leaving an inheritance to a non-Muslim. The rules of inheritance for those who die with neither parent nor child still living (Al-Kalala).
BOOK TWELVE- ON GIFTS
Rules around the appropriate way to give gifts or charitable donations. Why it is not approved of to buy back a donation that you have given from the recipient. Fairness in treating all of one’s children equally when giving gifts. The rules around the practice of life grants of property.
BOOK THIRTEEN- ON BEQUESTS
The disposal of property following deaths. Discussion of the need to make a will. A will can only be made for a third of the property. Sadaqa given after the death of the deceased on their behalf goes to their credit.
BOOK FOURTEEN- ON VOWS
Concerning the legitimacy of vows. Whether a vow should be fulfilled on behalf of a deceased parent. Vows made against the teachings of Islam can not be valid, neither can those where the person has no control. The old man who vowed he would go to the Ka’ba on foot.
BOOK FIFTEEN- ON OATHS
It is only permitted to take an oath in the name of Allah- not in any other name. When it is permissible to break a vow. An oath should express “ Insha‘ Allah“ (God willing) within it. Non-believers embracing Islam and their oaths. The correct treatment of slaves.
BOOK SIXTEEN- ON THE OATH FOR DISCOVERING BLAME IN CRIMES OF VIOLENCE AND MURDER AND THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION
The appropriate punishment and compensation for various crimes against the person. When it is permitted to take the life of a Muslim. Compensation for death of unborn children.
BOOK SEVENTEEN- ON APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENTS
The punishments appropriate to various crimes. The minimum worth stolen to merit punishment. Punishment for men and for women concerning adultery. Punishment for Jews and other non-Muslims I cases of adultery. Deferral of punishment immediately following child-birth. Punishment for drinking wine.
BOOK EIGHTEEN- ON JUDICIAL PROCESS AND JUSTICE
Concerning correct judicial procedure and the character of the judge. The desirability of bringing about peace between warring factions. Possession of stray items. Prohibition on milking cows without the owner’s permission. The proper way of entertaining guests. Pooling of provisions in shortages.
BOOK NINETEEN- ON JIHAD
Rules concerning when to is permissible to attack non-Muslims . Decent conduct in war it is forbidden to take spoils, or deliberately kill the children or women, or defile the dead. Commandment to leniency in war. Other specific etiquette of war.
BOOK TWENTY- ON GOVERNMENT AND RULERS
Instructions for decent government. Directions concerning succeeding caliphs. The undesirability of yearning for positions of authority. Just rulers and unjust rulers. The misappropriation of spoils of war. When it is obligatory, and when it is forbidden, to obey a ruler. A discussion on horses.
BOOK TWENTY ONE – ON HUNTING SPORTS AND ANIMALS IT IS PERMITTED TO EAT.
A discussion of the rules of hunting. The animals and birds which are forbidden to eat. It is permissible to eat animals and fish that have already died. Specifically forbidden cruelties to animals.
BOOK TWENTY TWO – ON SACRIFICE
The proper time for animal sacrifice. The appropriate age of the animal to be sacrificed. The benefit of making the sacrifice personally. How the sacrifice is permissible to be made. The rulings concerning eating sacrificed animals. It is forbidden to sacrifice to anyone except Allah.
BOOK TWENTY THREE -ON DRINKS
The forbidding of wine. Vinegar made from wine is also forbidden as is the use of wine as medicine. Wine made from a mixture of dates and grapes is equally forbidden. Correct preparation of Nabidh. All intoxicants are forbidden. Other observations about various foods and drinks.
BOOK TWENTY FOUR – ON CLOTHES AND ADORNMENT
Eating and drinking from gold and silver vessels is forbidden. Men may wear silk if they suffer from itching or other disease. Men may not wear yellow clothing. Modesty is required in clothing and rough materials are preferred. Other specifics of clothing and ornamentation are discussed.
BOOK TWENTY FIVE – ON GENERAL CODES OF BEHAVIOUR
It is forbidden to call anyone by the kunyah of Abu’l- Qasim except for Allah’s Messenger (PBUH). Ugly names or names which suggest ill omens are disapproved of and changing them for good names is appropriate. Specific issues of trespass are discussed.
BOOK TWENTY SIX -ON GREETINGS
A wide ranging series of discussions of on many areas including how it is appropriate to greet and respond to greetings from Muslims and from Jews , medical remedies and spells, which animals are to be killed, and which it is forbidden to kill.
BOOK TWENTY SEVEN -ON CORRECT USAGE OF WORDS
The correct, and inappropriate, uses of certain words. The disapproval of the use of the phrase “ My soul has become evil“. The uses of musk and why it is wrong to reject gifts of flowers and perfume.
BOOK TWENTY EIGHT – ON POETRY
A discussion of the saying from Allah’s apostle (PBUH) : „filling the belly of a man with pus is better than stuffing his brain with poetry.“ Also that : „he who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine“.
BOOK TWENTY NINE – ON DREAMS AND VISIONS
A discussion on the nature of dreams. How to fend of bad dreams. Which dreams can be trusted as truth and which are sent by the Satan. The correct interpretation of the meanings of dreams. The vision of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
BOOK THIRTY – ON THE QUALITIES OF THE PROPHET (PBUH) AND HIS COMPANIONS
The characteristics of the Apostle of Allah (PBUH), with specific reference to miracles, courage, generosity, modesty, and singularity. The obligation on Muslims to follow the Prophet in religious matters.
BOOK THIRTY ONE -ON THE MERITS OF THE PROPHET’S (PBUH) COMPANIONS (Allah Be Pleased With Them)
The merits of the companions, (Allah be pleased with them). The merits of the wives and daughter of the Prophet. The hadith of Umm Zara.
BOOK THIRTY TWO – ON GOOD MANNERS AND VIRTUE
Respect for parents is compulsory, the primary duty is owed to one’s mother, then one’s father and other relatives. A discussion of many varied forbidden and meritorious behaviours with regard to relationships with others.
BOOK THIRTY THREE – ON DESTINY
The growth of the unborn child and their future destiny . The arguments exchanged between Adam and Moses ( Allah be pleased with them). The preordained nature of everything, including adultery and the religion a child is born into. The length of a person’s life is pre-destined.
BOOK THIRTY FOUR – ON KNOWLEDGE
The correct way to discuss the Quran and why it is unacceptable to split hairs or to be too eager to examine the allegorical verses. The end of the world will be preceded by ignorance replacing knowledge , and women greatly outnumbering men.
BOOK THIRTY FIVE – ON SUPPLICATION AND SEEKING FORGIVENESS.
The best words are “ Hallowed be Allah and praise is due to Him.“. Supplicating for death is not appropriate. Al-Hamdu lillah should be recited on eating and drinking. Supplicants must show patience.
BOOK THIRTY SIX – ON HEART MELTING TRADITIONS
The majority of the population of Paradise are poor, pious people. The turmoil done to men by women, and the merit of avoiding the allurements of women. The population of Hell is mostly composed of women. The story of the three people in the cave.
BOOK THIRTY SEVEN – ON REPENTANCE
On the importance of repentance and the obliteration of sin after repentance. Allah’s mercy is stronger than his wrath. Good deeds take away evil deeds. The throwing of Jews and Christians into Hell-fire as proxy for sin.
BOOK THIRTY EIGHT – ON THE NATURE OF HYPOCRITES AND COMMANDMENTS ABOUT THEM
The hadith of the journey of the Prophet (PBUH) and his saying that a hypocrite is like ” a sheep which roams aimlessly between two flocks. She goes to one at one time and to the other at another time.”
BOOK THIRTY NINE -ON PARADISE, HELL, AND THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT
The description of the day of judgement and creation of the world. The splitting of the moon . Non-believers made to crawl on their faces. The richest to be dipped in hell fire, and the most miserable in Paradise.
BOOK FORTY – ON PARADISE AND ITS INHABITANTS
Descriptions of the beauties and rewards of Paradise and the terror and punishment of hell. The different qualities of those who will enter Paradise and Hell. The day of judgement.
BOOK FORTY ONE- ON THE LAST HOUR
The events which will come before the last hour. The destruction of the Ummah by itself. The Roman population to reach its maximum. The Dhajal. The space between the two blowings of the trumpet.
BOOK FORTY TWO -ON SOFTENING THE HEART AND PIETY
The merit of treating the poor, and widows and orphans well. The goodness of building mosques. The hadith of sneezing and yawning. The story of the people of the ditch, the magician, the monk, and the slave.
BOOK FORTY THREE – COMMENTARIES
Marriage to orphan women, proper treatment of multiple wives. Rules concerning punishment for killing another believer. Women to adorn themselves at every place of worship. It is forbidden to force slave-girls into prostitution to earn money from them. The prohibition of wine and other alcoholic drinks.