Is the “Reliance of the Traveller” Widely Studied?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

When learning about Sharia law and Islamic jurisprudence, Do most Sunni Islamic scholars and jurists worldwide study the Shafi‘i Fiqh book “Reliance of the Traveller” in Islamic universities and seminaries?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

The “Reliance of The Traveller” an English translation of a highly reputable, classical manual on Shafi’i Fiqh, ‘Umdat Al-Salik wa ‘Udda-Al-Nasik’ (The Reliance of the Traveller and Tools of the Worshipper) written by Shaykh Ahmad Ibn Naqib Al-Misri (d. 769 AH / 1368 CE).

The original Arabic work, ‘Umda Al-Salik,’ is widely studied throughout the Muslim world, especially in Shafi‘i universities and seminaries. It isn’t easy to assess how many universities/seminaries include the text in their curriculum. Still, some of the leading Shafi‘i learning centres in Yemen (Hadramawt), Indonesia, and South Africa include the text in their curriculum. Seekers Guidance has free courses on this renowned text in Arabic and English.

Al-Azhar University and other Ulama have authenticated the contemporary English translation by Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller. (See introduction to the revised edition by Amana Publications).

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.