Zad al-Mustaqni' (زاد المستقنع في اختصار المقنع): A concise text of Hanbali fiqh in which al-Hajjawi abridged Ibn Qudama's al-Muqni', keeping to the preferred opinion of the school. It is one of the best-known starting texts for students of Hanbali fiqh, with many commentaries, the best known being al-Rawd al-Murbi'.
Reviewed by: Ghada Nasser Al-HarbiAttorney at USUS Law FirmLast updated:
About the book
| Book | Zad al-Mustaqni' (زاد المستقنع في اختصار المقنع) |
|---|---|
| Author | Musa al-Hajjawi (d. 968H) |
| Free copy | Shamela's copy is the edition by Abdulrahman al-Askar (Dar al-Watan, Riyadh) |
Read it free
The book can be read free of charge on al-Maktaba al-Shamila, with a table of contents and full-text search. The text is in Arabic.
Read the book on al-Maktaba al-Shamila
Printed editions are available from bookshops for those who prefer a paper copy.
Chapters of legal interest
- Acts of worship
- Sales and transactions
- Marriage, divorce and khula
- Inheritance shares
- Crimes and hadd penalties
- Judgeship and testimony
Why it matters today
Many questions before the Saudi courts, especially in family law, inheritance and crimes, go back to Islamic jurisprudence, and the Hanbali school is the one generally applied. Modern laws such as the Personal Status Law have codified many of these rules, so the classical works help in understanding where a rule comes from and why.
Related guides
This page introduces the book as part of the Usus Law Firm library. It is not a substitute for asking qualified scholars on religious questions, or a lawyer on a case.
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 23 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
Request a quick consultation
Leave your name and mobile number, and a lawyer from our Riyadh or Tabuk office will call you during working hours. We advise in English.