Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min al-Aqida al-Islamiyya

Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min al-Aqida al-Islamiyya (الدعاء ومنزلته من العقيدة الإسلامية, "Supplication and Its Status in Islamic Creed") is a contemporary theological treatise authored by Jilan bin Khidr al-Arusi that examines the doctrinal foundations, classifications, and boundaries of supplication (du'a) in Islamic creed Maqalat Mawqi al-Durar al…+1.

Background and Scope

The work originated as an academic university thesis presented at the Islamic University of Madinah Maqalat Mawqi al-Durar al…. Unlike classical and modern manuals that focus primarily on the jurisprudential rulings (fiqh) or formulas of supplication, al-Arusi's study concentrates specifically on the theological (aqida) dimensions of du'a, examining its relationship to monotheism (tawhid), divine destiny (qadr), and deviations such as directing supplication to other than God or practicing innovated litanies Maqalat Mawqi al-Durar al…+1.

Structure and Contents

The book is arranged into an introduction, four principal parts (abwab), an appendix, and a conclusion Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min…+1:

• Introduction: Outlines the significance of supplication, reasons for selecting the topic, and the research methodology Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min….
• Part One: Explores the linguistic and legal definitions of du'a, terms synonymous with or related to it, its categories based on meaning, wording, and objects, as well as the etiquettes of supplication and the nature of divine response (ijaba) Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min…+1.
• Part Two: Discusses the doctrinal position of supplication, its role in increasing faith and demonstrating the existence of God, and its connection to the three categories of tawhid (Lordship, Names and Attributes, and Divinity) Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min…+1. It also addresses the relationship between supplication and divine decree (qadr), reviewing various theological viewpoints, and determines the legal status of du'a Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min….
• Part Three: Focuses on unlegislated supplication (al-dua ghayr al-mashru'), detailing the scriptural warnings and harms of directing supplication to other than God, the reasons for its prevalence, and its legal ruling Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min…+1. It also covers innovated supplications (al-adiyya al-mubtada'a), such as supplicating at shrines, entreating through created beings (tawassul bi-l-dhawat), routine innovated litanies (awrad), and collective supplications Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min…+1.
• Part Four: Refutes arguments and doubts raised by those who allow unlegislated supplications, critiquing their interpretations of authentic Quranic and hadith texts, their reliance on weak or fabricated narrations and anecdotes, and their counterarguments against prohibitive evidences Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min….
• Appendix and Conclusion: The appendix compiles examples of polytheistic and innovated prayers alongside transmitted, authentic supplications, followed by a conclusion summarizing the work's primary theological findings Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min….

Method and Reception

In his methodology, al-Arusi relies on the Quran, the prophetic Sunna, and the statements of early scholars (al-salaf al-salih), citing the books of his opponents when presenting their views before addressing their claims through scriptural evidence and critical analysis Al-Dua wa Manzilatuhu min….

The work was published in a two-volume edition in Riyadh by Maktabat al-Rushd, with documented printings dating to 1414 AH (1993 CE) and 1417 AH (1996 CE) al-Athar al-Warida an Uma…+1. It has been cited and utilized by subsequent authors on creed and devotion, including Abd al-Razzaq al-Badr, who drew upon its synthesized critique of the spiritual and doctrinal harms of innovated supplications Fiqh al-Adiya wal-Adhkar+1.