al-Athar al-Mashhur an al-Imam Malik fi Sifat al-Istiwa

al-Athar al-Mashhur ‘an al-Imam Malik fi Sifat al-Istiwa’ (The Famous Report from Imam Malik Regarding the Attribute of Istiwa’) is a theological treatise by the Saudi scholar Abd al-Razzaq ibn Abd al-Muhsin al-Badr, dedicated to an analytical study of the renowned statement attributed to Imam Malik ibn Anas concerning the divine attribute of ascending over the Throne (al-istiwa’).Majallat al-Jami'a al-Isl…+1

Background and Purpose

The book originated as a research study published in the journal of the Islamic University of Madinah in 1423 AH (2002 CE) and was subsequently included in the author's collected works published by Dar Kunuz Ishbilya.Majallat al-Jami'a al-Isl…+1

Al-Badr composed the study to provide a comprehensive analysis of Malik's response to an inquirer regarding the modality of God's istiwa’.al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…+1 He aimed to establish its authentic transmission through recognized chains of narration, extract theological principles applicable across all divine attributes, counter attempts by innovators and contemporary detractors who sought to misinterpret or question its authenticity, and address inconsistencies among certain adherents who follow Malik in jurisprudence while differing from him in foundational creed.Majallat al-Jami'a al-Isl…+1

Structure and Content

The treatise is arranged into an introduction, a preparatory prelude (tamhid), four main chapters, and a conclusion:al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…+1

• Prelude (Tamhid): Divided into three sections covering a concise biographical sketch of Imam Malik, a summary of the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah regarding al-istiwa’, and the utility of overarching theological maxims in understanding the divine attributes.al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…+1
• Chapter One: Documents the transmission history (takhrij) of Malik's statement, establishes its authenticity, cites supporting evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah, notes parallel statements reported from earlier figures among the Salaf, and records scholarly commendations that treat the narration as a foundational rule in the theology of divine names and attributes.Majallat al-Jami'a al-Isl…+1
• Chapter Two: Analyzes the specific meaning and doctrinal guidelines derived from the four constituent clauses of the report across four dedicated sections:al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…+1
  1. "The istiwa’ is not unknown" (al-istiwa' ghayr majhul).al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…+1
  2. "The modality is incomprehensible" (al-kayf ghayr ma'qul).al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…+1
  3. "Belief in it is obligatory" (al-iman bihi wajib).al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…+1
  4. "Inquiring about it is an innovation" (wa-al-su'al 'anhu bid'ah).al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…+1
• Chapter Three: Refutes divergent interpretations and theological re-readings advanced by theological adversaries who departed from the apparent meaning of the statement.al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…+1
• Chapter Four: Examines broader lessons from the narrative context across three sections, focusing on Malik's physical agitation upon hearing the question ("until he broke into a sweat"), his assessment of the questioner ("I see you as nothing other than an innovator"), and his order to expel him from the gathering ("Expel him from me").al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…+1

Scholarly Reception of the Report

The author highlights that classical Sunni scholars broadly accepted Malik's pronouncement as an authoritative standard.Majallat al-Jami'a al-Isl…+1 Among those cited, Abu Sa'id al-Darimi affirmed the truth of Malik's words, stating that the modality is beyond human comprehension while the meaning of istiwa’ is not unknown.Majallat al-Jami'a al-Isl…+1 Similarly, Ibn Taymiyyah described Malik's formulation as one of the most comprehensive responses on the topic because it rejected anthropomorphic modality (takyif) while affirming the intelligible meaning of al-istiwa’.al-Athar al-Mashhur an al…