Fatawa Works in the Urdu Language

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Can you tell me some good fatawa works in urdu for A) laymen and b) scholars?

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

The Urdu language is a very rich language, in that it provides us with great works of the
scholars from the Indian Subcontinent. One is able to find compilations in Urdu in almost
every science of Islam. Many books have been compiled in this language in the various
sciences of Islam, such as Qur’anic exegeses, Hadith, Fiqh, Sirah, History, etc.

A relatively unique method of compiling Fiqh in the Urdu language transpired in the last
century or so, which was the format of questions and answers.

The answers and Fatawa issued by many of the scholars were compiled and gathered, normally
in many large volumes. The answers were categorized into the various sections of Aqidah,
Salat, Zakat, etc, in a systematic way.

These Fatawa works number many, some of which are:

1) Fatawa Mahmudiyya:

The Fatawa collection of Shaykh Mufti Mahmud al-Hasan al-Gangohi (Allah have mercy on his
soul) in 17 average-sized volumes. The Shaykh’s answers are brief but to the point, and show
his amazing knowledge and extensive reading of the various classical texts. A very valuable
collection of Fatawa, indispensable for every student of Fiqh.

2) Imdad al-Fatawa:

Fatawa of Hakim al-Ummah Imam Ashraf Ali al-Tahanawi (Allah have mercy on him) in six large
volumes. The Fatawa of the Shaykh are normally sophisticated and really aimed for the
scholars. Laymen would find it difficult to benefit from them. He quotes the texts of the
Hadith and the classical Hanafi jurists and then gives the ruling in light of them. A “must”
for every scholar and student of Fiqh.

3) Ahsan al-Fatawa:

By Shaykh Mufti Rashid Ahmad Ludhyanwi (Allah have mercy on him) in 8 volumes. The Shaykh’s
answers are backed with many evidences and can be stringent at times. On some of the issues,
virtually a whole booklet is compiled.

4) Imdad al-Ahkam:

The Fatawa of Shaykh Zafar Ahmad al-Usmani (Allah have mercy on him) in 4 large volumes. It
is valuable for detailed research on specific issues, and does not cover all the various
specifics (furu’at).

5) Fatawa of Dar al-Uloom Deoband:

This compilation of the Fatawa issued by the various Muftis of the renowned Dar al-uloom
Deoband under the supervision of Mufti Azizur Rahman (Allah have mercy on him) in 12 volumes
is immensely valuable for both scholars and the lay person. It covers many questions in
brief answers, without indulging too much into the evidences. One is able to find answers
for almost every question that arises (though contemporary issues may not be covered).

6) Fatawa Rahimiyya:

The Fatawa of Shaykh Mufti Abd al-Rahim Lajfuri (Allah have mercy on him) of India in 10
large volumes. He discusses the various issues in considerable length providing many
evidences. Some of the contemporary issues have also been discussed. Simplicity is the
hallmark of his answers, thus this book can be helpful for both scholars as well as
laypeople.

7) Jawahir al-Fiqh:

A 2 volume compilation in the study of certain Fiqhi issues by Shaykh Mufti Muhammad Shafi’
Usmani (Allah have mercy on him). The author examines certain critical issues in light of
the evidences from the Qur’an, Sunnah and classical texts. Mainly for scholars.

8) Fiqhi Maqalat:

By Shaykh Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) in 4 volumes. This great work is
similar to that of Mufti Muhammad Shafi’s, but deals with contemporary issues. The learned
author discusses the various contemporary issues in detail.

9) Nizam al-Fatawa:

The Fatawa of Shaykh Mufti Nizam al-Din A’zami (Allah have mercy on him) in two volumes. It
mainly concentrates on contemporary issues, thus very valuable for those seeking guidance in
contemporary matters.

10) Jadid Fiqhi Mabahis:

A 17 volume exposition on various classical and contemporary issues compiled by the Islamic
Fiqh Academy of India under the supervision of Qadhi Mujahid al-Islam al-Qasmi (Allah have
mercy on him). The Academy was formed few years ago and has since been holding Fiqh seminars
on various issues. The papers presented by the participants were then recorded and compiled
in this colossal work. A “must” for every scholar and student of Fiqh.

11) Kifayat al-Mufti:

Fatawa of Shaykh Mufti Kifayat Allah Dehlawi (Allah have mercy on him) in 9 average-sized
volumes. I have not done much reading of it, but whenever I have referred to it, I have
found it to be very beneficial.

12) Fatawa Rashidiyya:

Fatawa of Shaykh Mawlana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Allah have mercy on him) in one large volume.
A relatively short compilation which covers certain aspects of Fiqh.

13) Khayr al-Fatawa:

A collection of the Fatawa issued by the Muftis of Khayr al-Madaris (a Madrasa in Multan,
Pakistan), of which 4 volumes have been printed. I have up to 4 volumes, thus I am unaware
of whether more volumes have been published. The Fatawa are quite detailed and backed with
evidences, especially the section on Aqidah. Very beneficial indeed.

14) Fatawa Ridhwiyya:

Fatawa of Shaykh Ahmad Ridha Khan (Allah have mercy on him) in many volumes. I have not read
it, but those who have say that it can be very valuable at times.

15) Imdad al-Muftiyyin:

Fatawa collection of Shaykh Mufti Muhammad Shafi’ (Allah have mercy on him) in 2 large
volumes. The author sheds light on many important issues of fiqh providing evidences from
the classical texts.

16) Fatawa Khaliliyya:

A Fatawa collection of Shaykh Khalil Ahmad Saharanfuri (Allah have mercy on him) in one
volume. A brief treatise on some Fiqhi issues.

17) Umdat al-Fiqh:

By Shaykh Mawlana Sayyed Zawwar Husayn Naqshbandi (Allah have mercy on him) in 4 large
volumes. It is well-organized, properly presented and structured and covers aspects of
worship (ibadat) in great detail. It only covers Fiqh al-Ibadat though. The fourth volume is
fully dedicated to the rules and regulations concerning Hajj. It is useful for both scholars
and the layman.

18) Ap ke masa’il or unka hal (Your Questions and their Solutions):

By the late Shaykh Mawlana Yusuf Ludhyanwi (Allah have mercy on him) in approximately 10
volumes. The author compiled this great work mainly for common people, thus the answers
given are very simple without mentioning the various evidences. It has proven to be very
beneficial, especially for the layman.

The above are just some of the Fatawa works in the Urdu language which come to mind at the
present moment. There are other works besides these, but time does not allow me to go into
them. May Allah Most High benefit us from the legacy left behind by these great servants of
Allah, and that we follow in their footsteps, Ameen.

And Allah knows best

Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK.

Article taken (with Thanks) from Daruliftaa