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Amin al-Shaqawi

al-Mukhtasar min Durus Ramadan wal-Ashr

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al-Mukhtasar min Durus Ramadan wal-Ashr (Arabic: المختصر من دروس رمضان والعشر, lit. 'The Abridgment of Lessons for Ramadan and the Ten Days') is an instructional and homiletic work by the Saudi scholar and preacher Amin ibn Abd Allah al-Shaqawi (completed 1444 AH / 2023 CE), designed for daily reading to mosque congregations during the month of Ramadan and the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Background and Composition

The author, a preacher affiliated with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'wah, and Guidance, completed the work in Riyadh on 17 Jumada al-Akhirah 1444 AH (January 2023 CE). In his introduction, al-Shaqawi noted that reading instructional treatises to worshippers in mosques during Ramadan is an established and ongoing practice. Having authored multiple works and treatises in this field, he prepared this abridged collection specifically for mosque imams, callers, and congregants to facilitate regular daily lessons.

Methodology and Structure

The book is structured into concise, titled lessons designed according to three pedagogical guidelines outlined by the author:

  1. Brevity: Each lesson is kept short so that worshippers can listen without hardship, while allowing the reader or prayer leader room to add explanation and commentary.
  2. Avoidance of Juristic Disagreements: The text intentionally steers clear of controversial or discretionary legal matters (al-masa'il al-ijtihadiyyah), leaving further elaboration and discretion to the imams and readers.
  3. Review Questions: Every lesson concludes with targeted review questions on its subject matter to stimulate engagement and mutual discussion between the reader and the audience, aiding memorization and firm retention.

Contents

The primary body of the text addresses the rulings, spiritual merits, and practices of Ramadan, followed by a dedicated appendix:

  • The Virtues and Obligations of Ramadan: Lessons outlining the obligation of fasting as a pillar of Islam, the revelation of the Quran, the opening of Paradise and chained demons, the expiation of sins, the rewards of performing Umrah in Ramadan, and the merit of sincere devotion (iman wa-ihtisab).
  • The Last Ten Nights and Laylat al-Qadr: Exhortations regarding the Prophet's ﷺ practice during the last ten nights of Ramadan, night prayers, awakening the family for worship, and seeking Laylat al-Qadr.
  • Appendix on the Ten Days of Dhu al-Hijjah: A series of lessons covering the virtues of the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, their Quranic and Prophetic proofs, the Day of Arafah, and the obligation and virtues of the Hajj pilgrimage.

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