Al Ikhtiyaar

[zaidf]

Assalamualeykum wr wb

Anyone know where i can purchase a good copy of Al Ikhtiyaar. I have heard that most of versions out there are not so good, but according to Shaykh Faraz the one edited by Sh. Shuayb al Arnaut(HA) is probably the best one.

Mufti Husain your input would be highly appreciated here.

[Husain]

When selecting a good print, there are a number of aspects to be considered, as every edition would have its pros and its cons.

The two best prints of al-Ikhtiyar are probably Shaykh Shuayb's edition in 4 volumes printed by Mu'assasah ar-Risalah and Bashar Bakri Arrabi's edition printed by Dar al-Quba.

Here are the pros and cons of each:
Mu'assasah ar-Risalah edition
Pros
Used good manuscripts
The editing is probably the best in this edition
Very detailed takhrij of ahadith
Grading of all ahadith
Big font, very clear and easy to read
High-quality binding
Lovely colourful paper
Tashkil of necessary words

Cons
Expensive, at least double the price of other editions
Bulky, as it in 4 volumes, 2150 pages
Too much takhrij, with the major portion of many pages taken up by it
No explanation of difficult passages
No conversion of measurements, currencies etc to modern standards
Very little explanation of difficult terminology


Dar al-Quba edition
Pros
Cheap
Just 2 volumes, 1050 pages
Necessary takhrij of ahadith, sufficing on a line or two
Extensive quoting from Allamah Qasim ibn Qutlubughah's takhrij on the book
Corrected mistakes in other prints using a makhtut
Extensive explanation of all difficult terms
Detailed explanation of all difficult passages
Conversion of all measurements etc to modern standards
Tashkil of necessary words


Cons
Cheaper quality paper
Smaller font
No grading of ahadith

So in short, the Risalah edition seems to be edited slightly better, with them using good manuscripts, so I would expect it to be more accurate, however this can only be judged by one who compares both editions, as both seem to be very good editions.
The big problem with the Risalah edition is the lack of footnotes that would benefit the reader, instead it is more of a takrij of al-Ikhtiyar, will all the focus on discussing the various chains and their status.

The Dar al-Quba edition falls far short of the Rislaah one in print-quality and depth of takhrij, but far outshines it in usefulness, as the footnotes are priceless.

So they more or less neck to neck when it comes to the quality of the editing, with the Risalah one possibly being slightly better, then the Risalah edition boasting detailed takhrij and top-quality print, while the Quba edition offers beneficial footnotes and affordability.

[zaidf]

Assalamualeykum wrwb

SubhanaAllah i appreciate your detailed input. I managed to get an online copy of the one edited by Sh. Shuayb Arnaut(HA) from Shaykh Abul Hasan (HA)

http://ia700102.us.archive.org/14/it.../01_103161.pdf

http://ia700102.us.archive.org/14/it.../02_103162.pdf


http://ia700102.us.archive.org/14/it.../03_103163.pdf

http://ia700102.us.archive.org/14/it.../04_103164.pdf

[mustajab]

Dar al-Quba edition
Pros
Cheap
Just 2 volumes, 1050 pages
Necessary takhrij of ahadith, sufficing on a line or two
Extensive quoting from Allamah Qasim ibn Qutlubughah's takhrij on the book
Corrected mistakes in other prints using a makhtut
Extensive explanation of all difficult terms
Detailed explanation of all difficult passages
Conversion of all measurements etc to modern standards
Tashkil of necessary words


Cons
Cheaper quality paper
Smaller font
No grading of ahadith

So in short, the Risalah edition seems to be edited slightly better, with them using good manuscripts, so I would expect it to be more accurate, however this can only be judged by one who compares both editions, as both seem to be very good editions.
The big problem with the Risalah edition is the lack of footnotes that would benefit the reader, instead it is more of a takrij of al-Ikhtiyar, will all the focus on discussing the various chains and their status.

The Dar al-Quba edition falls far short of the Rislaah one in print-quality and depth of takhrij, but far outshines it in usefulness, as the footnotes are priceless.

So they more or less neck to neck when it comes to the quality of the editing, with the Risalah one possibly being slightly better, then the Risalah edition boasting detailed takhrij and top-quality print, while the Quba edition offers beneficial footnotes and affordability.

Jazakallah for the detailed post Mufti Saheb, I would like to purchase this version any idea where I could buy it online?

[Husain]

Jazakallah for the detailed post Mufti Saheb, I would like to purchase this version any idea where I could buy it online?

It seems to be available here

[suleimanibnsalim]

How good is the DKI version?

[m_a]

When selecting a good print, there are a number of aspects to be considered, as every edition would have its pros and its cons.

The two best prints of al-Ikhtiyar are probably Shaykh Shuayb's edition in 4 volumes printed by Mu'assasah ar-Risalah and Bashar Bakri Arrabi's edition printed by Dar al-Quba.

Here are the pros and cons of each:
Mu'assasah ar-Risalah edition
Pros
Used good manuscripts
The editing is probably the best in this edition
Very detailed takhrij of ahadith
Grading of all ahadith
Big font, very clear and easy to read
High-quality binding
Lovely colourful paper
Tashkil of necessary words

Cons
Expensive, at least double the price of other editions
Bulky, as it in 4 volumes, 2150 pages
Too much takhrij, with the major portion of many pages taken up by it
No explanation of difficult passages
No conversion of measurements, currencies etc to modern standards
Very little explanation of difficult terminology


Dar al-Quba edition
Pros
Cheap
Just 2 volumes, 1050 pages
Necessary takhrij of ahadith, sufficing on a line or two
Extensive quoting from Allamah Qasim ibn Qutlubughah's takhrij on the book
Corrected mistakes in other prints using a makhtut
Extensive explanation of all difficult terms
Detailed explanation of all difficult passages
Conversion of all measurements etc to modern standards
Tashkil of necessary words


Cons
Cheaper quality paper
Smaller font
No grading of ahadith

So in short, the Risalah edition seems to be edited slightly better, with them using good manuscripts, so I would expect it to be more accurate, however this can only be judged by one who compares both editions, as both seem to be very good editions.
The big problem with the Risalah edition is the lack of footnotes that would benefit the reader, instead it is more of a takrij of al-Ikhtiyar, will all the focus on discussing the various chains and their status.

The Dar al-Quba edition falls far short of the Rislaah one in print-quality and depth of takhrij, but far outshines it in usefulness, as the footnotes are priceless.

So they more or less neck to neck when it comes to the quality of the editing, with the Risalah one possibly being slightly better, then the Risalah edition boasting detailed takhrij and top-quality print, while the Quba edition offers beneficial footnotes and affordability.

Assalamu Alaikum, I havent read through the Darul Quba print, but here are a few things I noticed in Shu'ayb Arna'uts print (I purchased it not too long ago) :

Note, it is printed on glossy paper with a funny border and it is printed on normal paper, the latter being cheaper(by a few riyals) and easier to read from.

His takhreej is too long and sometimes continues onto the next page where there is no relation to the text above it... some people might not find it a problem, but if you are a person who regularly checks the haashiyah, it means turnig back a few pages all the time, also, you sometimes lose track of what you where reading. some places there are 3 or 4 lines of the text, then two pages of takhrij...
One of the reasons for this might be found in the Muqaddimah of the muhaqqiq, where they lay much emphasis on the fact that they follow the manhaj of "ittibaa"...

Also, there are no references to other books in the math-hab establishing or dismissing the views attributed to the A'immah when there is a khilaaf. This is a huge flaw... especially after reading how they criticised other prints of the book in their Muqaddimah and how they praised their own edition.

They used س and م as reference symbols when pointing out differences in the manuscripts, note that the Musannif also uses the same letters when pointing out the difference between Imam Abu yusuf and Imam Muhammad... its not a major problem, but its a big academic booboo for someone of Sh Shu'aybs stature.

There are also no subheadings indicating the Furoo' of the Masaail... Although this is not found in the original text, it is essential in a printed version. If anyone has read Zadul Ma'ad , Risalah edition, will understand what Im refering to.

Im not discouraging the purchase of this edition its just that there could be more work done on the book

[mujahid7ia]

How good is the DKI version?

Wondering about this one, as well as the Dar al-Arqam print (I have the one edited by Zuhayr Uthman al-Ja'id (زهير عثمان الجعيد)). I believe there is a Muhammad Adnan Darwish edition, also Dar al-Arqam (?).

I am mostly asking this because the two good editions discussed in this thread are hard to find to ship to the USA for a reasonable price.


[Jazakum Allahu khayran to everyone in this thread, though, some great info!]