al-Dalalat al-Aqadiyya lil-Ayat al-Kawniyya
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al-Dalalat al-Aqadiyya lil-Ayat al-Kawniyya (The Creedal Implications of Cosmic Signs) is a contemporary theological treatise written by Abd al-Majid bin Muhammad al-Wa'lan, examining the theological significances and doctrinal errors connected to cosmological phenomena in Islamic scripture.
Background and Purpose
The work originated as a master’s thesis in Islamic creed and contemporary doctrines (al-Aqida wa-l-Madhahib al-Mu'asira) completed in Rabi' al-Thani 1434 AH (2013 CE), under the original working title al-Ayat al-Kawniyya: Dirasa Aqadiyya (Cosmic Signs: A Theological Study). Al-Wa'lan composed the study because most prior scholarship on cosmological signs in scripture focused primarily on the oneness of Lordship (tawhid al-rububiyya), the affirmation of prophethood, and the resurrection, while neglecting other key doctrinal areas, such as the oneness of worship (tawhid al-uluhiyya), God’s names and attributes (al-asma wa-l-sifat), faith in the unseen, divine decree (al-qadar), innate disposition (al-fitra), and theological prohibitions against imitating polytheists. The book also seeks to address widespread contemporary neglect of pondering natural phenomena, as well as the doctrinal misconceptions arising from scientific exegesis (al-tafsir al-ilmi).
Structure and Contents
The book is structured into an introduction, eight main chapters, and a conclusion with thematic indexes:
- Introduction: Covers the importance of the topic, research objectives, core research questions, a review of previous literature, the research outline, and methodology.
- Chapter One (The Scriptural Framework for Cosmic Signs): Defines cosmic signs, details their classifications, outlines early scholarly attention (al-salaf) toward them, and lays out scriptural parameters for addressing them.
- Chapter Two (Contemplation of Cosmic Signs and Prophetic Guidance): Examines the command to reflect upon nature, the existential purpose and servitude (ubudiyya) of created entities, Quranic and Prophetic guidance regarding natural events, divine support given to prophets through cosmic phenomena, and links to the pillars of Islam.
- Chapter Three (Scientific Exegesis and Future Cosmological Studies): Evaluates scientific interpretations of Quranic and Hadith texts, scholars' positions on scientific exegesis, the reconciliation between established empirical facts and scripture, doctrinal deviations found in scientific commentaries, and future cosmic forecasts in light of theology.
- Chapter Four (Causality and Its Relation to Cosmic Signs): Classifies the types and status of physical causes (al-asbab) in Islamic jurisprudence and theology, arguing that knowing empirical mechanisms or the timing of events does not negate their status as divine signs.
- Chapter Five (Celestial Cosmic Signs): Analyzes specific heavenly phenomena and their theological lessons, including the heavens, sun, moon, stars, thunder, lightning, thunderbolts, rain, snow, hail, and winds.
- Chapter Six (Terrestrial Cosmic Signs): Covers earthly phenomena, including the motion of the earth, mountains, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, eclipses, bodies of water, day and night, life and death, sleep, vegetation, and diseases, alongside associated theological errors and weak or fabricated narrations.
- Chapter Seven (Cosmic Signs Related to the Portents of the Hour): Discusses cosmological signs linked to minor signs of the Day of Judgment (such as plagues, the fire of the Hijaz, frequent earthquakes, landslides, swollen crescents, Arabia reverting to meadows and rivers, and torrential rains without yield) and major signs (the tribulations accompanying the Antichrist/al-Dajjal, three major landslides, the smoke, the sun rising from the west, the fire corralling humanity, and the gentle wind taking the believers' souls).
- Chapter Eight (Cosmic Signs of the Day of Resurrection): Examines celestial and terrestrial cataclysms described in scripture regarding the Day of Resurrection.
- Conclusion: Summarizes the findings and provides scholarly recommendations, such as conducting single-topic monographs on specific cosmic elements (e.g., water or the sun) across all aspects of faith.
Methodology
Al-Wa'lan employed an inductive, analytical, and critical methodology (al-manhaj al-istiqra'i al-tahlili al-naqdi). He gathered scriptural texts relevant to cosmic phenomena from the Quran and Sunna, evaluating hadith narrations for authenticity—relying directly on citations for reports recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim—while providing critical appraisals and scholarly rulings for other transmissions. The work highlights theological deviations, defines unusual terminology, identifies referenced groups and sects, and contextualizes geographical and historical markers cited in the text.
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