Nafh al-Abir

Nafh al-Abir (The Diffused Fragrance) is a multi-volume collection of hadith and legal research papers (buhuth fiqhiyya hadithiyya) by the contemporary Saudi scholar Abd Allah bin Mani al-Ruqi (also known as Abu Muhammad Abd Allah ibn Mani al-Utaybi) Masa'il al-Imam Ibn Baz+1.

Background and Composition

The book developed directly from al-Ruqi’s attendance at the study circles of the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd Allah ibn Baz, who began commissioning him to write research papers starting around 1409 AH / 1988–1989 CE Masa'il al-Imam Ibn Baz+1. During lessons held at the Grand Mosque (al-Jami al-Kabir) in Riyadh, Ibn Baz would occasionally task al-Ruqi with verifying the authenticity of specific prophetic narrations or investigating complex jurisprudential issues Nafh al-Abir+1.

Once compiled, these studies were read directly to Ibn Baz during subsequent classes or at his residence when lesson time was constrained Nafh al-Abir. Ibn Baz provided oral critiques, endorsements, and comments on the findings Nafh al-Abir+1. Al-Ruqi sought and received explicit permission from Ibn Baz to publish the collected research along with his teacher's annotations and commentary Nafh al-Abir. In reference to its origins, the collection is also cited under the expanded title Nafh al-Abir fi Durus al-Jami al-Kabir Al-Ifham fi Sharh Umdat a….

Structure and Content

The work consists of independent research monographs investigating chains of transmission (takhrij), biographical narrator evaluation (rijal), and comparative legal analysis Masa'il al-Imam Ibn Baz+1. Several chapters conclude with margin notes indicating the date a particular study was read to Ibn Baz and recording his assessment Nafh al-Abir+1.

Topics addressed throughout the work include:

• Hadith studies regarding the circumstances of the Prophet's death and whether it incorporated the virtue of martyrdom Nafh al-Abir+1.
• Narrations concerning the virtues of Tawhid Nafh al-Abir.
• The transmission and wording of traditions concerning the Angel of Death and Moses Nafh al-Abir.
• The minimum number required to constitute a congregational prayer, examining whether two people suffice Nafh al-Abir.
• The jurisprudential and hadith status of female circumcision, wherein the author concludes that no commanding report is authentic, placing its ruling between permissibility and recommendation rather than obligation Nafh al-Abir.

Publication History

Nafh al-Abir was published in Riyadh by Dar al-Watan in four volumes Masa'il al-Imam Ibn Baz+1. The initial publication began around 1415 AH / 1994–1995 CE, with subsequent volumes compiled and released in later years; the introduction to the fourth volume is dated 24 Rabi al-Thani 1426 AH / 2005 CE Masa'il al-Imam Ibn Baz+1. A later edition is also documented from 1432 AH / 2011 CE Al-Ara al-Fiqhiyya al-Mua….