Al-Maqasid: Nawawi's Manual of Islam (English and Arabic Edition)

This book is considered a matan...a summarized work of basic rulings of worship in the Shafi'i madhhab. As such, it leaves out a lot of detail and explanation because it is meant to be studied as a textbook with an Islamic scholar filling in the details in depth. Sheikh Nuh Ha Mim Keller (May God preserve Him) added many notes from the Reliance of the Traveler to supplement much of the information when he translated this book, but again...this book is NOT intended for casual reading for the unlearned, nor self-study by Muslims. I studied from this book at the school "Qibla: for the Islamic Sciences" - a TWO semester course! Sheikh Nuh Ha Mim Keller also teaches at this school himself. It is an excellent semi-intermediate text, and covers all of the fard-al-ayn (basic personally obligatory knowledge to be a practicing Muslim) in a concise, portable format. This book is a classic; and Imam Nawawi is one of the authoritative scholars in the Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence.

Al Maqasid of Imam Nawawi is an excellent primer for people learning the basics of Islamic practice and law according to the madhhab of Imam Shafi'i. The text covers basic beliefs, the five pillars, spirituality, and contains various essays in the appendix section that deal with current trends that need explanation from the traditional Islamic perspective. This text is a required a in Shafi'i fiqh course offered at sunnipath.com.

Very easy reading very easy to understand

Salaams, this a wonderful book for ones who choose to follow the traditional approach to Islam one not clouded by the Saudis. Every school follows Qu'ran and Sunnah as the foundation so the end result is Paradise. The author has done a great job giving new shahadas a guide to follow may he be blessed for his effort.

Great service and quality.

A perfect primer to Islam for people interested in seriously studying Islam. This is a book that should be a guided study though, not a self-study.

No review needed for an item of this importance... learning is never too late.... we just don't have the time for it these days.....wonderful and insightful.

Excellent book!

Un ouvrage complet, bien traduit et augmenté. Une recommandation pour tous les sunnites en recherche. Qu'Allâh bénisse l'auteur et le traducteur.

This text is easy to understand, very clear and concise. A very good read, my husband and I are competing to read it as it is a very compelling book.

A must have for a student of knowledge. As I've written in another comment you couldn't expect anything else from An-Nawawi simple yet, also advanced.

very good book. especially if one has studied Safinah