Getting to Know the Book 'Thuhfatut Thullab' by Zakaria al-Anshari

The short book titled "Tuhfah al-Thullab bi Syarh Tahrir Tanqih al-Lubab" translates to "The Students' Gift in Explaining the Refinement of the Essence." It was written by Sheikh al-Islam, al-Qadhi Zaynuddin Abu Yahya Zakariya bin Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Anshari al-Sunaiki al-Mishri (823-926H). This book is a commentary (syarah) by Sheikh al-Islam Zakariyya al-Anshari on his own book, "Tahrir Tanqih al-Lubab."

Hence, the book "Tuhfah al-Thullab" is better known and popularly referred to as the commentary on "Tahrir." The book "Tahrir Tanqih al-Lubab" itself, it is an abridged version (mukhtashar) of the book "Tanqih al-Lubab" by Imam Waliyuddin Abu Zur’ah Ahmad bin al-Hafizh Abdul Rahim al-‘Iraqi (762-826H). The book "Tanqih al-Lubab" is a summarized work based on the book "al-Lubab fi al-Fiqh al-Syafi’i" by Imam Abu al-Hasan Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Dhabi al-Mahamili al-Syafi’i (368-415H).

In essence, this book extensively covers the laws of jurisprudence in the Shafi'i school, starting from purification (thoharoh), ablution (wudlu), and onwards, similar to other fiqh books. The book consists of 311 pages, each section marked with the term "bab" as the larger division and "pasal" for smaller divisions. It's written in Arabic using simple language, and the renowned author's expertise has elevated its significance, making it a widely studied work among Muslims.

The prominence and scholarly expertise of the author have elevated the position of the book "Tuhfah al-Thullab" as a popular reference in the fiqh (jurisprudence) among scholars of the Shafi'i school. Several scholars have provided commentary (hashiyah) on this book, including:Syihabuddin bin Ahmad bin Ahmad bin Salamah al-Qalyubi (1069H).

• Syamsuddin Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Syawbari al-Syafi'i (1069H).
• 'Abdul Bar bin Abdullah al-Ajhuri (1072H), with his work "Minhah al-Ahbab bi Syarh Tuhfah al-Thullab."
• Syamsuddin Muhammad bin Dawud bin Sulaiman al-'Inani (1098H), with his work "Fath al-Karim al-Wahhab 'ala Syarh Tanqih al-Lubab."
• Hasan bin 'Ali bin Ahmad al-Manthawi al-Mudabighi al-Syafi'i (1170H).
• ‘Abdullah bin Hijazi bin Ibrahim al-Syarqawi (1150-1227H), with his book "Hasyiah 'ala Tuhfah al-Thullab bi Syarh. Tanqih al-Lubab."

Additional Notes:

As an additional note, besides the book "Tuhfah al-Thullab" by Sheikh al-Islam, the book "al-Tahrir" (Tahrir Tanqih al-Lubab) has also been explained by several scholars, including:

• Imam Syamsuddin, Muhammad bin Abu al-‘Abbas Ahmad bin Hamzah bin Ahmad Syihabuddin al-Ramli al-Munufi, known as al-Syafi’i al-Shaghir (919-1004 H).
• Imam Zaynuddin 'Abdul Rauf bin 'Ali al-Munawi al-Syafi'i (1031H) with his work titled "Ihsan al-Taqrir bi Syarh al-Tahrir."
• Sheikh Shadiq Habannakah al-Maidani with his work "Syarh Tuhfah ath-Thullab bi Syarh Tanqih al-Lubab fiy Madzhab al-Syafi’i."