al-Aqida al-Salafiya fi Kalam Rabb al-Bariya wa Kashf Abatil al-Mubtadia al-Radiya
- Author died
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- Editions
- Dar al-Imam Malik
al-Aqida al-Salafiya fi Kalam Rabb al-Bariya wa Kashf Abatil al-Mubtadia al-Radiya ("The Salafi Creed Concerning the Speech of the Lord of Creation and Exposing the Falsehoods of Reprehensible Innovators") is a contemporary theological treatise authored by Abd Allah ibn Yusuf al-Juday' on the Salafi doctrine regarding the Speech of God (Kalam Allah) and the refutation of opposing theological factions.
Composition and Publication
Al-Juday' completed the manuscript in Kuwait on Tuesday, 27 Jumada al-Ula 1407 AH. The first edition of the book was printed in 1408 AH by Matabi' Dar al-Siyasa in Kuwait. A second edition was published in 1416 AH (1995 CE) jointly by Dar al-Imam Malik and Dar al-Sumay'i in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Structure and Contents
The book begins with an introductory section (madkhal) comprising the preface to the second edition, the author's original preface, preparatory theological notices, and an outline of the work's structure. The core text is divided into three main parts:
- Part One: Sets forth the Salafi creed regarding the Speech of God along with detailed textual argumentation. It comprises three chapters: the definition and reality of speech (covering the nature of speech, the speaker, and categories of speech); the methodology of the early generations (al-Salaf) in affirming divine attributes; and an exposition of the Salaf's doctrine on God's speech.
- Part Two: Addresses the historical controversy regarding the pronunciation of the Quran (al-lafz bi-al-Quran), seeking to resolve its ambiguities and defending Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari against positions attributed to them on the issue.
- Part Three: Examines the doctrines of various theological sects affiliated with Islam, presenting an overview before offering a detailed critique of the Jahmiyya and Mutazila, followed by an extensive chapter dedicated to expounding and refuting the views of the Ashariyya on divine speech.
Method and Sources
Al-Juday' conditioned that he would only cite reports and statements whose chains of transmission (isnad) are established back to their speakers, determining their authenticity through his own independent evaluation (ijtihad) rather than following previous compilers uncritically. He focused particularly on authentically transmitted statements of early authorities, foremost among them Ahmad ibn Hanbal. In structuring his arguments, al-Juday' drew substantially upon the writings and methodological approach of Ibn Taymiyya, whom he references as Shaykh al-Islam throughout the work.
Reception
The book has been referenced among contemporary Salafi writings as a dedicated and beneficial study on the theological question of God's speech and the uncreated nature of the Quran. It has also been cited for its arguments rejecting the designation of Islamic creed (aqida) as speculative theology (ilm al-kalam).
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