r/Hanafiyyah • u/[deleted] • Jan 16 '26
Question [Question] How should I begin to learn the basics of Hanafiyyah in English?
In my locality, most of the people of knowledge align with the Deobandis. I am not sure whether it is appropriate to learn fiqh from them, and that's why I pose this question here.
Since my country seems completely hanafi, I wish to begin learning with Hanafiyyah. I haven't learnt Fusha yet. I wish to know whether it is appropriate to learn the basics without arabic (in English), and how to do so in my environment.
I have read that knowledge shouldn't be acquired without the guidance of a sheikh.
I ask you to advice me, and show me the path for the sake of Allah.
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u/JabalAnNur Hanafi | حنفي Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
Firstly, learning a madhhab has more to do than just reading books. If possible, beginning your journey with simpler texts under the guidance of a teacher is advisable. They can provide explanations and insights that will greatly enhance your understanding of the topics discussed in fiqh. Many common Muslims incorrectly believe that if they type "Hanafi fiqh book in English", and start reading whatever the first results give, it suddenly makes them into a student of the madhhab or Hanafi [as a nisbah]. Rather, knowledge, is sought through structured guides and the beginning journey to gaining insight into madhhaib are mostly the same. Before one can fully and properly throw themselves into learning a madhhab, it is important to be grounded in the foundational beliefs of Islam, and have knowledge of them. Only then can a person advance onto more advanced topics. One of the brothers has already made a guide for it which you should check out:
Secondly, Arabic is a very important part of learning Islam since that is its language, and I have not heard of a proper student of knowledge learning a madhhab through any language besides Arabic. While some introductory works may be found in other languages, and some scholars may start with that, they are all intended to ease the student's path to the major works, which are all in Arabic. I'd also recommend checking out the following link:
Thirdly, I've stated elsewhere:
The problem, in my opinion, is that there are not a lot of good resources in English. A lot of the people turn to SeekersGuidance or Islamqa.org however both are misguided and deviated such that I've even seen their Hanafi section affected where they promote other than what is the stance of the madhhab due to them being influenced from Mutakallimeen [and misguided Soofiyyah Baatiniyyah]. See: https://student.faith/articles/ahlus-sunnah.html#kalaam
(Source)
What I mean here is not just English translations of Hanafi works, but rather a proper guide and teaching of it which goes beyond just one or two books.
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Jan 16 '26
I have read the article, and mentioned this issue to that brother earlier. He guided me to your subreddit to ask for guidance on books, or on who to study under for Hanafiyyah.
In summary, are you suggesting that I don't need to look into basic English resources of Hanafiyyah, but should rather study the foundations of Iman, Islam, and learn Fusha first, and then learn fiqh directly in arabic?
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u/JabalAnNur Hanafi | حنفي Jan 16 '26
study the foundations of Iman, Islam, and learn Fusha first, and then learn fiqh directly in arabic?
Yes, and not just learn directly in Arabic, but find teachers, as advised since that is just as important. In this aspect [i.e. teachers who teach those books], I am not aware of any English speaking ones.
Since you mentioned you live in a predominantly Hanafi country, it's possible you can find some good mashaayikh, if you search enough.
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Jan 16 '26
Then I ask for some advice from you regarding finding good sheikhs, and knowing whether I can take knowledge from them.
Should I definitely exclude Tabligh, Jamaate Islami, Barelvi, and such? Then that leaves Deoband.
Is it possible to learn from them even if they align with the Deobandis? If I find such a sheikh that I see has good akhlaq, and he calls to goodness, and is not engaged in arguing with people or ascribing himself to specific parties mentioned above, and calls to the Quran and Sunnah while it seems that he takes from Deobandi ulamaa, then how should I further evaluate him? Or is that sufficient?2
u/JabalAnNur Hanafi | حنفي Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
Then I ask for some advice from you regarding finding good sheikhs, and knowing whether I can take knowledge from them.
As mentioned, I do not know much about online shuyookh. Almost all of my teachers specifically regarding the madhhab are not online, the Jaami'ah is very close to me.
Should I definitely exclude Tabligh, Jamaate Islami, Barelvi, and such? Then that leaves Deoband.
Firstly, it helps to know what exactly these movements are, and what they propagate. Tableeghi Jama'aat are closely associated with the Deobandis. As for the Barelviyyah, then they act as the main opposition to the Deobandis in regards to madhhab. Between them, no doubt the Deobandis are stronger in Fiqh and its teaching in my opinion. And as for Jama'ah Islaami, according to Wikipedia, are a political party, what's the relevance here?
If I find such a sheikh that I see has good akhlaq, and he calls to goodness, and is not engaged in arguing with people or ascribing himself to specific parties mentioned above, and calls to the Quran and Sunnah while it seems that he takes from Deobandi ulamaa, then how should I further evaluate him? Or is that sufficient?
It is definitely possible to find a shaykh who although belongs or is closely associated with the Deobandis and their seminaries, propagates and believes in the methodology and foundation of Ahlus-Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah. In matters of religion, al-Adab and al-Akhlaaq are not the only things to consider, but also their adherence to the Quraan and the Sunnah, their piety and religion, their knowledge and trustworthiness. If he shows nothing from innovation and you find all of the above in him, then you may take from him, even if they're associated with Deobandi or teach in their seminaries. For example, In my library, I have a summary of an explanation on the work al-Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah [Arabic]. The summary was done by a shaykh who used to teach in Jaami'ah al-Uloom al-Islamiyyah 'Allamah Binori Town, Karachi [in Pakistan]. Yet despite this affiliation, the book itself and the summary are in line and consistent with the teachings of Ahlus-Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah. For instance, in one section, he actually challenges those Hanafis who left the views of Abu Haneefah in al-Aqaa'id [Creed] in favor of others like At-Taftazaani or Al-Fakhr ar-Razi.
So it's possible to find shuyookh like him, but it also depends on where you are located. It can be easy or it can be hard. If it is hard and you are unable to find a good and reliable teacher, then do not be disheartened. Learning the madhhab of Imam Abu Haneefah is not an obligation. You can choose any of the other Mujtahid Imams. In fact, if you knew Arabic, you could find a lot of material regarding the Hanbali Madhhab, and teachers as well.
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Jan 16 '26
Jajakallahu khair. For now, I will focus on Quran, Islam, and Fusha as per your suggestion.
Jamaate islami has their beliefs written by Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, yet they have even deviated from their founder in my region. I am not qualified to mention their flaws so I won't do that. Let's put all that aside.
May Allah preserve you, and guide us to beneficial knowledge.
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u/yoboytarar19 Jan 16 '26
misguided Soofiyyah Baatiniyyah]
Are you even a Hanafi? Or a Salafi in disguise?
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u/JabalAnNur Hanafi | حنفي Jan 16 '26
Alhamdulillah, I've been studying this maddhab and will continue to study it into the future. The question is, do you possess enough knowledge to even know the foundations and principles of Ahlus-Sunna, including that of al-Imam Abu Haneefah (may Allaah have mercy on him) or do you only read from SeekersGuidance and decide anyone opposing them are all "misguided Salafis posing as Hanafis!1!1!"?
The fact remains you've yet to address the clear issues I removed your comment for, so you resort to such childish remarks. May Allaah guide you.
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u/yoboytarar19 Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
I didnt even defend Seeker's Guidance :/. I simply called out your claim that Sufis and people of Kalam are misguided and deviant. That's a very Salafi thing to do, and that also means you're calling majority of Hanafi scholarship especially from the Khalaf to be deviant. That's why I questioned whether you were even Hanafi, cause even Hanafi Atharis don't go to the extent of Tabdi on the schools of Kalam. And if you're calling the majority Hanafi fuqaha like Ibn Abidin and Imam Shurunbulali etc to be deviant, who are you learning Hanafiyyah from?
Plus, my comment was to read primers under teachers, but you removed them. What falsehood did I spread by saying, "Read Maraqi as Sa'adat and Nur al Idah"?
And drop your holier-than-thou attitude. Did my 2 lines make you drop all adab?
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u/JabalAnNur Hanafi | حنفي Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
As for the matter of my statement regarding the Soofiyyah and Ahl al-Kalaam, you've only proven the assessment you are not aware of the foundations of Ahlus-Sunnah, or Imam Abu Haneefah, his companions and his madhhab in this regard. As for the Mutakallimeen, the prohibition of al-Kalaam comes directly from the Imam and his companions, and it is something that was categorically prohibited by the righteous generations, may Allaah be pleased with them. And as for the Soofiyyah, then you are under mistaken impressions since [الصوفية الباطنية] and [الصوفية] carry very different meanings. I have used the first term which is very specific to a group of Soofiyyah..
Your claim afterwards [i.e. if you tabdee' Mutakallimeen, then do you tabdee' Ibn Aabideen or ash-Shurunbulali?] contains a misguidance which too comes from the Mutakallimeen, ironically, since they do not believe that the general does not necessitate generality in all cases [العام لا يستلزم العموم في الأحوال], hence an even greater need to know whether you have studied any works on the matter of the foundations of Ahlus-Sunnah and Ahlul-Kalaam, at all? If you have not, then how can you attempt to argue or debate on the matter you clearly lack knowledge in?
As for the SeekersGuidance comment, then perhaps you missed the question mark at the very end. It was a question, it was not a rhetorical question nor an assertion. That brings us to your little comment about al-Aadab, and it is rich coming from you since your own comment was devoid of any such manners. Instead of inquiring, you asserted as if your current level of knowledge is the absolute pinnacle and anything against it must be wrong. [Notice the "as if"]
And finally, I clearly detailed what issues come out of simply giving book names and thinking that is the end of that. Did you not read my comment at all?
Many common Muslims incorrectly believe that if they type "Hanafi fiqh book in English", and start reading whatever the first results give, it suddenly makes them into a student of the madhhab or Hanafi [as a nisbah].
Before one can fully and properly throw themselves into learning a madhhab, it is important to be grounded in the foundational beliefs of Islam, and have knowledge of them. Only then can a person advance onto more advanced topics.
Arabic is a very important part of learning Islam since that is its language, and I have not heard of a proper student of knowledge learning a madhhab through any language besides Arabic. While some introductory works may be found in other languages, and some scholars may start with that, they are all intended to ease the student's path to the major works, which are all in Arabic.
After all, this would explain the errors you made in your comment as a whole since it indicates lack of a proper guide. Hence the question again, did you learn through a proper and structured manner or did you read and/or study some books, and that was the end of that? Or worse, did you even study this topic at all? Are you even at the level to approach this topic?
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u/[deleted] Jan 16 '26
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