This book by the author of Ash-Shifa is a clear-cut manual laid out in five sections corresponding to the five pillars, and marked out with the simplicity of a basic technical manual. For each pillar the Fard, Sunna, Superogatory, Liked, Disliked and Prohibited are concisely listed, with special page markings for easy reference and study. This book is useful for new Muslims but also for refreshing the knowledge of the basics of even the most learned scholars. Read Excerpt Qadi Iyad bin Mussa or Abu al-Fadl Ayyad bin Amer ben Mousssa bin Ayyad bin Mohammed bin Abdellah bin Mussa bin Ayyad al-Yahsobi al-Sabti (1083 - 1149), . Al-Yahobsi refers to Yahob a region in Jemen.
Qadi Ayyad was born in Gibraltar. He was a high judge (kadi) in Grenada. He headed a revolt against the coming of the Almohades to Sebta, but lost and was banished to Tadla and later Marrakech. He was a pupil of Abu Abdullah bin Issa, of Imam Abu Abdullah bin Hamdine, of Abu Al Hassan bin Siradj and of imam Abu Al walid Ibn Rushd. As the great imam of Sebta, Ayad ben Musa was apointed Qadi of Grenada. He was one of the most famous scholars of Maliki law. Qadi Ayyad bin Moussa is one of the seven saints of Marrakesh and is buried near Bab Aïlen. His main work is called Al-Shifa. The university of Marrakech (Cadi Ayyad) was named after him.