Summary of the book – Al Ikhtisas

The book Al-Ikhtisas is a compilation of traditions by the author Abu Abdillah Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn al Noman al Ukbari al-Baghdadi famous as Sheikh Mufeed (a.r.). The personality of Sheikh Mufeed needs no introduction to the followers of Ahle Bait (a.s.) and anyone who is somewhat associated with books, traditions and acquiring knowledge will certainly recognize and appreciate the efforts of this great scholar. He was a great theologian who defended the Ithna Ashari faith especially Imamat on many occasions. Among his other works are Al-Amali and Kitab al Irshad. The reason why Sheikh Mufeed is titled as Mufeed is also an interesting read which can be found in link given below. The link also talks about his biography in brief which readers can also refer to https://www.al-islam.org/al-amali-dictations-shaykh-al-mufid/past-master-sheikh-al-mufid

The book Al-Ikhtisas was not with a specific aim and this can be concluded by looking at the index of the book. The index does not follow a particular pattern and even the list of topics that Sheikh Mufeed (a.r.) has chosen belong to a peculiar theme. This pattern is not new for him as his other book Al-Amali is also a compilation of traditions without delving into one topic unlike his other book Kitab al Irshad which deals with life history of Aimmah Athaar (a.s.)

Since this book does not adhere to a course and does not talk about a single topic, classifying the book into parts is difficult and for the same reason compiling headings with the help of the index is not easy. The index runs into 15 pages as every different topic occupies a mention in the same. The number of traditions on each topic vary and some topics have only one tradition.  A very clear example is that page no. 18 discusses that Allah has not created anyone superior to Mohammad (s.a.w.a.) and Ali (a.s.) and the mastership of Ali (a.s.) is written in all books, page no. 19 has tradition of the cave and the incident of Abu Bakr with Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) followed by tradition of excellence of awaiting for Imam Zamana (a.t.f.s.) and those who await are best companions of Qaem (a.t.f.s.) on page no. 20

Just to understand the variety of topics covered in the book, a few of them are given below

·         

•     One who memorizes 40 traditions 
•      Concerning the scholars, they are inheritors of Prophets and they did not inherit Dirham nor Dinar.  
•     The blood of people became permissible after (the demise of) Holy Prophet except three
•          Companions of Imam Hasan to Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) – This topic has two pages.
•       The next set of topics talk about the excellence of. J. Salman, J. Abu Zar, J. Miqdad and J. Ammar – This topic has 5 pages
•         The Messengers are on four levels
•        Concerning the rights of brothers and brothers at the time of Qaem (a.t.f.s.)
•       Condemnation of false oath.
•           Purifying the wealth with Zakaat.
•            Page no. 25 to 32 discusses few things about Momin viz. How is a believer created, excellence of believers, reward of visiting a believing brother
•        Characteristics of Lauh Mahfooz and Qalam
•         Page No. 63 to 96 talks about conditions of various companions of Aimmah (a.s.) such as Misam, Qanbar, Mohammad ibn Abi Bakr, Zaid ibn Suhaan and so on
•         Debate of Momin Taaq with Abu Hanifah regarding divorce
•         Excellence of Friday and Thursday night
•         8 people whose prayers (Salaat) Allah will not accept.
•         190 – 206 discussion about companions with a few topics in between
•        Miracles of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.)
• ·         Condemnation of excessive sleeping
• ·         Four signs of hypocrisy
• ·         Meaning of Great Jihad and Small Jihad
• ·         Example of Abu Talib (a.s.) is the example of Ashaab e Kahf (a.s.)
• ·         Necessity of love of Ahle Bait (a.s.) and their mastership and necessity of their obedience
• ·         The reasons for acceptance of prayers and its rejection
• ·         The perfection of intellect is in three things

·         The miracle of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) with Mansoor Dawaneqi

• ·         Excellence of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.)
• ·         Necessity of Wilayat of Ali (a.s.) and his children (a.s.)
• ·         The signs of advent of Mahdi (a.s.) and his reappearance
• ·         The example of knowledge of Ahle Bait (a.s.) of the holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
• ·         Why is Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) called Ummi?
• ·         Miracles of Ali ibn Moosa Reza (a.s.)
• ·         Argument of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) with Abu Bakr (l.a.)
• ·         Everything is present in the book of Allah and sunnah of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
• ·         Concerning Ahle Bait (a.s.), they understand the language of birds

• ·    Miracles of Aimmah (a.s.) – Pg. 315 to 327
• ·         Reward for loving for Allah
• ·         Advices of H. Luqman and conclusion of the book

To conclude this book is an excellent collection of traditions under various topics though not in sequence while majority of the traditions are concerning the excellence, miracles, conditions and sayings of Ahle Bait (a.s.)

We seek Taufeeq from Allah to read, understand and follow the traditions of Ahle Bait (a.s.)