Review of the book: Halal wa Haram by Yusuf al-Qardhawi

 

Review of the book: Halal wa Haram by Yusuf al-Qardhawi

Name of the book            : al-Halal wa al-Haram fi al-Islam (The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam)

Writer                                 : Yusuf al-Qardhawi

Publisher                             : Maktabah Wahbah, Cairo.

Pages                                  : 313

First Publish                       : August 1960

Link to download                shorturl.at/INW35 

This book by Yusuf al-Qardhawi is among the most popular book ever written by him and also among the first book he ever wrote. It has been re-printed more than 70 times (according the official website https://www.al-qaradawi.net/node/5038 ) and also translate in numerous languages, including in English in 1987 with title The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam. According Syekh Yasir Qadhi, among the most popular books by Yusuf al-Qardhawi are:

1.      Al-Halal and Haram.

2.      Islamic Awakening between Rejection and Extremism published by IIIT. This book explains how Islamic global awakening is rejected by some people (the secularism people) and we also have the extreme movement of Islam that simply incompatible with modern world such as ISIS. In this book Qardhawi tried to explain the middle path (wasatiyah/ moderation) between both.

3.      Fiqh Jihad. Trough this book, al-Qardhawi tried to reclaim the meaning of Jihad that has been abused by extreme Islamic group such as ISIS.

The book al-Halal wa al-Haram contained 4 sections, namely:

1.      First Section: the concept of Halal and Haram and its role in Islam with comparison to other law, tradition, and civilization.

2.      Second section: Personal Law (halal and haram in the life of muslim as personal). In this section he discussed the law of drinking and eating (such as the animal slaughter in Islam, hunting, khamr/ alcohol beverages, narcotics, and smoking), how muslim should dress, muslim in home, and also muslim in work.

3.      Third section: Family law. In this section he explained how the law regarding lust in Islam, the law of marriage, relationship between husband and wife, preventing pregnancy/ abortion, the right of husband and wife, between children and parent.

4.      Fourth section: Communal and Society law. In this section he wrote things regarding aqidah/ belief, muamalah (transaction), entertainment and diversion, society relationship, relationship between muslim and non-muslim.

Furthermore, this book encapsulates the thought, the ideology, and also the methodology of Yusuf al-Qardhawi. Syekh Yasir Qadhi stated that there are no books like it in any language. That is why it became and remain bestseller, even after 60 years. In this book, Qardhawi tried to think outside of the box by re-did of how we suppose to teach fiqh to modern audience. He presented the book of fiqh in the style, language, and manner that modern mind can comprehend. He got rid off the chapter in classical book that is not relevant in modern era and re-do them. He successfully brought the classical knowledge, to modern world. In order to do so, he has to rethink trough many issues which he already explained in 313 pages.

The thing that made this book even special is, we can just read of this book and gain much knowledges about Islamic law even though we did not have any background of Islamic studies. Many books in Islam studies (fiqh, aqidah, tasawuf, language), can’t be understood by simple reading. In order to understand it, we did not only need to just read it, but often we must have basic training, teacher, guide, and even have to unpack the complex literature and language. Thus make this book really special in its own way.

This book is really recommended for one who want to know about islamic law, not only as student, but also for awam (common people) muslim, and anyone who interest in Islamic law.

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