إدوارد براون
"Man la yahduruhu al-Faqih" (lit. "For Him Who is Not in the Presence of a Jurisprudent") is concerned with "furu"' (Jurisprudence). The title has been neatly translated by Edward Granville Browne as "Every man his own lawyer". In his introduction to the book, Ibn Babawayh explains the circumstances of its composition and the reason for its title. When he was at Ilaq near Balkh, he met Sharif al-Din Abu 'Abd Allah. Ibn Babawayh was delighted with Sharif al-Din Abu 'Abd Allah's discourses with him and his gentleness, kindness, dignity and interest in religion. Sharif al-Din Abu 'Abd Allah showed Ibn Babawayh a book compiled by Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi entitled "Man la yahduruhu al-Tabib" or "Every man his own doctor". Sharif al-Din Abu 'Abd Allah, then asked Ibn Babawayh to compile a similar work of reference on "Fiqh" (jurisprudence), "al-halal wa al-haram" (the permitted and prohibited), and "al-shara-i' wa-'l-ahkam" (revealed law and ordinary laws).