The Shorter Abridgment: An English Translation of Al-Mukhtasar Al-Saghir

TRANSLATOR’S INTRODUCTION
The Second edition
Alhamdulillah, by the grace and guidance of Allah, we are pleased to present the second edition of the English translation of Shaykh ’Abd Allah b. ’Abd al-Rahman BaFadl’s al-Mukhtasar al-Saghir. Over the years, we have reflected deeply on how best to serve our Muslim brothers and sisters in spreading the knowledge of our tradition. With the continued encouragement of my family and teachers, and after seeking Allah’s guidance, we have undertaken this revised edition with the aim of making this work even more accessible, clear, and beneficial.

In this edition, we have refined the translation, improving clarity and flow, and ensuring that the author’s meaning is conveyed as faithfully as possible. We have also expanded the section on Adhkar, including additional supplications and zikr from the prayer, and provided more references from the Qur’an and Sunnah to strengthen the reader’s understanding. The Arabic text remains presented side-by-side with the English translation, in order to preserve the original words of Shaykh BaFadl while facilitating study for students at all levels.

The purpose of this work remains the same: to introduce students and seekers to the beauty and precision of traditional Islamic scholarship, and to provide a foundation in fiqh upon which further learning can be built. We ask Allah, the Most High, to make this edition a source of benefit for Muslims everywhere, to grant understanding and barakah to all who engage with it, and to accept it as a means of spreading the light of knowledge in our ummah. We also extend our gratitude to our teachers, family, friends, and students whose support and encouragement made this project possible.