After a large selection of literature regarding the Quran and Hadith, Bahishti Zewar is probably the most popular book in the Indo-Pak Subcontinent. Apart from the comprehensive nature of the book, its popularity is largely due to its simplicity in style and language.
Bahishti Zewar has already been translated into English in India and these translations are quite easily available. However, the main draw-back for English-speaking readers is that the English is of a very poor standard, thereby making it difficult to understand and frustrating to read. Therefore, an urgent need was felt for a completely new translation of the book.
Apart from a completely new translation, many useful and informative footnotes have been added. A supplement to the Bahishti Zewar has also been incorporated. The purpose of the supplement, as mentioned by the author himself, is to create an urge and yearning for jannalı, and a fear and dread for jahannam,
Another distinguishing feature of this translation is that articles and chapters of Bahishti Gauhar (Part 11 of Bahishti Zewar) have been incorporated into the relevant chapters of Bahishti Zewar. In this way, all masa' il relating to a particular chapter will be found in one place, thereby saving the reader from time-consuming turning of pages.
Furthermore, all chapters which are connected to Kitaabut Tahaarah have been included in Part One of the book, e.g. the chapters on Haid, Istihaadah, Nifaas, etc. which were originally in Part Two have now been included in Part One. As a result, Part One of Bahishti Zewar comprises of all matters relating to Kitaabut Tahaarah. The chapters have also been re-arranged to comply with the arrangement and order generally found in the books of Islamic jurisprudence.
There are certain matters and masa'il which may not really apply in countries other than those in the Indo-Pak region, however, these have also been translated so as not to omit anything from the original text. There is a glossary of Islamic terms at the end of the book in order to facilitate an easy understanding of Islamic terminology.
