al-Fatwa al-Hamawiyya al-Kubra

al-Fatwa al-Hamawiyya al-Kubra (The Great Hamathite Legal Response) is a theological treatise composed in 698 AH (1298–1299 CE) by the Hanbali scholar Ibn Taymiyya (661–728 AH / 1263–1328 CE) outlining the creed of early Muslim generations regarding divine names and attributes al-Dalil ila al-Mutun al-…+1.

Composition and Context

In Rabi' al-Awwal 698 AH, Ibn Taymiyya received a written inquiry from the Syrian city of Hama asking for the stance of religious authorities regarding the verses and prophetic traditions concerning divine attributes—such as God's ascending over the Throne ( الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى ), His divine transcendence, and His descent—and whether they should be understood literally or interpreted allegorically (taʾwīl) al-Dalil ila al-Mutun al-…+1. Ibn Taymiyya dictated his initial response in a single sitting between the noon (Dhuhr) and mid-afternoon (ʿAsr) prayers al-Dalil ila al-Mutun al-…+1.

To reinforce his arguments against subsequent objections, he expanded the treatise by incorporating extensive quotations from early authorities across the four legal schools and Sufi figures, such as Ibn Abi Zaminin, Ibn Khafif al-Shirazi, and 'Amr ibn 'Uthman al-Makki Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa…+1. This expanded version became known as al-Fatwa al-Hamawiyya al-Kubra to distinguish it from the earlier, unaugmented draft (al-Fatwa al-Hamawiyya al-Sughra) Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa…+1.

Contents and Methodology

The work focuses on affirming divine attributes without figurative interpretation (taʾwīl), divestment (taʿṭīl), or anthropomorphism (tashbīh) Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa…+1. Ibn Taymiyya argues that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the early generations (salaf) provided complete clarity regarding matters of faith, maintaining that it is inconceivable for later speculative theologians (mutakallimūn) to possess greater knowledge of God than the Companions and early scholars Sharh al-Hamawiyya - Yusu…+1.

Key themes and arguments articulated in the work include:

• Establishing the transmission chain of the Salaf's doctrine in contrast to the historical lineage of theological negation (taʿṭīl), which he traces back to early heterodox figures like Bishr al-Marisi and philosophical influences Sharh al-Fatwa al-Hamawiy…+1.
• Refuting later Ash'ari theologians, particularly the claim made by Fakhr al-Din al-Razi and others that affirming divine spatial transcendence (ʿulūw) was held exclusively by Hanbalis and Karramiyya Sharh al-Hamawiyya - Yusu….
• Demonstrating consensus across various Sunni traditions by compiling statements from early traditionists, jurists of different schools, and early Sufis Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa…+1.
• Harmonizing divine transcendence above creation (ʿulūw) with God's accompaniment (maʿiyya) Sharh al-Hamawiyya - Yusu….

Controversy and Refutations

The publication of the fatwa in Damascus in Rabi' al-Awwal 698 AH provoked strong opposition from contemporary speculative theologians and judges al-Minah al-Ilahiyya fi S…+1. Opponents accused Ibn Taymiyya of anthropomorphism (tajsīm) and persuaded the Hanafi chief judge of Damascus, Jalal al-Din, to summon him to the Ashrafiyya Dar al-Hadith school al-Minah al-Ilahiyya fi S…+1. Ibn Taymiyya declined to appear, arguing that determining creed fell outside the sole jurisdiction of a judicial office Jawab al-Itiradat al-Misr…. When the judge ordered a public crier to denounce Ibn Taymiyya's views across the city, the acting deputy governor, Sayf al-Din Jaqan, intervened on Ibn Taymiyya's behalf, having the crier beaten and dispersing his opponents Jawab al-Itiradat al-Misr….

Opponents subsequently authored written refutations against the work. The Shafi'i scholar Shihab al-Din Ibn Jahbal al-Halabi (d. 733 AH) penned a treatise opposing it, while the Hanafi judge Shams al-Din al-Saruji (d. 710 AH) composed a dedicated rebuttal Jawab al-Itiradat al-Misr…. Ibn Taymiyya replied to al-Saruji in an extensive multi-volume work titled Jawab al-Iʿtiradat al-Misriyya ʿala al-Futya al-Hamawiyya (Response to the Egyptian Objections Against the Hamathite Fatwa) Jawab al-Itiradat al-Misr…+1.

Abridgments and Editions

The treatise was summarized by modern Hanbali scholar Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin under the title Fatḥ Rabb al-Bariyya bi-Talkhīṣ al-Ḥamawiyya Majmu Fatawa wa Rasail al….

The work has been published in multiple print editions, including:

• An early edition published by Siddiq Hasan Khan with an Urdu translation at the Muhammadi Press in Lahore al-Dalil ila al-Mutun al-….
• A Cairo edition printed in 1323 AH / 1905 CE within Majmūʿat al-Rasāʾil al-Kubrā at al-Matba'a al-'Amira al-Sharafiyya Manhaj al-Shaykh Muhammad….
• An edition edited by Ahmad Shakir and 'Ali Muhammad Shakir, published by Dar al-Ma'arif in 1954 Jamharat Maqalat Ahmad Sh….
• An edition edited by Hamad ibn 'Abd al-Muhsin al-Tuwayjiri, published by Dar al-Sumay'i in Riyadh al-Fatwa al-Hamawiyya al-….