The principles of jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh) are a science every student of the Sharia must study: it is the backbone of fiqh, since the branches of fiqh are the fruits of its principles — and how can one enjoy the fruit without preserving the root?
Lubab al-Mahsul by Ibn Rashiq al-Maliki is an abridgement of al-Mustasfa by Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, one of the most famous books of legal theory. Ibn Rashiq described his work as summarising its meanings, refining its aims and structure, and removing what causes weariness, so as to reduce its size and help the student memorise it. Al-'Allamah Jamal al-Din al-Qasimi adorned it with a brief commentary and fine notes that enrich its topics and add to its benefit.
