al-Iman li-Ibn Taymiyyah

al-Iman (also known as Kitab al-Iman; Arabic: كتاب الإيمان) is a theological treatise on the definition and nature of faith by the Hanbali scholar Ibn Taymiyyah (661–728 AH / 1263–1328 CE) al-Iman li-Ibn Taymiyyah+1.

Background and Methodology

In his introduction, Ibn Taymiyyah states that iman (faith) and islam (submission) encompass the entirety of religion, noting that widespread dispute and confusion concerning their realities had persisted ever since the rebellion of the Kharijites al-Iman li-Ibn Taymiyyah. Rather than opening with the scholastic disagreements of various theological factions, he establishes his method on deriving definitions directly from the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet ﷺ, arguing that resolving contentious matters by returning them to the text of revelation yields the soundest outcome al-Iman li-Ibn Taymiyyah.

Contents and Core Themes

The work systematically presents the creed of early Sunni orthodoxy (Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jama'ah) regarding faith and refutes opposing theological factions Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa…:

• Definition of Faith: Ibn Taymiyyah defines faith as a composite reality consisting of both speech and action—encompassing the speech of the heart (belief and conviction), the speech of the tongue (verbal affirmation), the actions of the heart (intentions and love), and the physical actions of the limbs al-Iman al-Awsat+1. He demonstrates that faith increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa….
• Critique of the Murji'ah: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to dismantling the premise of the Murji'ah, who excluded physical deeds from the definition of faith Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa…+1. Ibn Taymiyyah critiques their linguistic reliance on equating iman solely with cognitive assent (tasdiq), refutes the views of Jahm ibn Safwan and the Karramiyyah, and examines the formulations of Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari and Abu Bakr al-Baqillani in his al-Tamhid al-Iman li-Ibn Taymiyyah.
• Critique of the Wa'idiyyah: The author refutes both the Kharijites and the Mu'tazilites, who maintained that faith is an indivisible entity whose absence of any required part entails the complete loss of faith and eternal damnation in the Hereafter Tariq al-Hidaya Mabadi wa…+1.
• The Relationship between Iman and Islam: The book explores how the terms iman and islam function when mentioned individually versus when paired together in scriptural contexts, addressing differences between external submission and internal faith al-Iman li-Ibn Taymiyyah+1.
• Exception in Faith (al-Istithna'): Ibn Taymiyyah analyzes the practice of qualifying one's faith by saying "I am a believer, if God wills" (in sha' Allah), addressing when such an expression is obligatory, permissible, or forbidden depending on whether it relates to self-praise, certainty of present conviction, or ultimate fulfillment of duties Sharh Kitab al-Ibana min ….

Structure and Publication

The work is organized into thematic sections (fusul) analyzing scriptural proofs, grammatical usages, and the sayings of the early generations (Salaf) al-Iman li-Ibn Taymiyyah. Bibliographers such as Ibn al-Mibrad listed it as a single-volume text among Ibn Taymiyyah's major works Mujam al-Kutub.

In modern printings, Kitab al-Iman forms the bulk of the seventh volume of Majmu' al-Fatawa, where it is published alongside Ibn Taymiyyah's commentary on the Hadith of Gabriel, known as al-Iman al-Awsat al-Iman al-Awsat+1. Independent single-volume editions have also been issued, including a prominent print published by al-Maktab al-Islami in Beirut with hadith authentication by Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani Tahqiq al-Iman li-Ibn Tay…+1.