1. The Matn
Plural mutun, this is the original text on a topic, usually meant to be summarized and concise in nature.
2. The Sharh
Plural shuruh, the commentary on a matn. There are three types of commentaries:
a) Shuruh that are meant to clarify the phrases of the author. These type of texts will focus on explaining the grammar of the text as well as defining the terms.
b) Shuruh that are meant to conceptualize the issues of the text. These texts go into details on the rulings placed in the text. They will go into details with examples and sometimes exceptions and conditions. They will often also define the terms as mentioned above.
c) Shuruh that are meant to be at an advanced level, often bringing debates and different opinions on the matters discussed in the matn while discussing evidences and sources of the statements as well.
3. The Hashiya
Plural hawashi, the super-commentaries written on the commentaries, also known as glosses or marginalia. These type of texts will typically either be supportive of the sharh adding more detail and expanding upon it, or will be a critical commentary focusing on fixing what the author believes to be mistakes of the original author or a combination of these two. (Note that early in Islamic history, a hashiya also referred to as the original commentary (sharh) on a text, but one that did not comment on every part of the text. For example, Hattab’s commentary on Khalil is termed a hashiya, and is of this type.)
4. The Taqrir
Plural taqriraat, the commentary on the hashiya. Usually these texts are very minor notes added onto the hashiya and are not meant to be comments on every part of the book.
Study Maliki fiqh at Arkview.org.