Mukhtasar al-Akhdarī – known for its short title al-Akhdarī – is part of the classical West African Islamic learning system. It is one of the 1st books learned in the Maliki Fiqh curriculum – usually taught to children after memorizing the Qur’an. Abdullahi Dan Fodiyo wrote about his own Islamic training and clearly stated that he learned al-Akhdarī – this text that you now hold in your hands – from his illustrious older brother, the Mujaddid, Shehu ‘Uthman Dan Fodiyo (may Allah have mercy on both of them) as part of learning his individual obligations (fard ul-‘ayn).