al-Iqtisad fi al-Itiqad lil-Maqdisi
- Author died
- 600 AH
- Editions
- Maktabat al-ʿUlūm wa-al-Ḥikam
al-Iqtisad fi al-I‘tiqad (Moderation in Creed) is a concise theological treatise by the Hanbali traditionist Abd al-Ghani al-Maqdisi (541–600 AH / 1146–1203 CE), articulating the creed of early Sunni traditionists (Ahl al-Sunna wa-al-Jama'a) through direct textual citations of the Quran and the Sunnah .
Title and Attribution
The term al-iqtisad denotes balance and moderation (al-tawassut), reflecting the author's intent to outline the doctrinal middle ground of early Muslim scholars (al-Salaf), positioned between theological excess (ifrat) and laxity (tafrit) .
Biographical sources, including Ibn Rajab in Dhayl Tabaqat al-Hanabila, Abd al-Rahman al-Ulaymi in al-Manhaj al-Ahmad, and Ibn Tulun in al-Qala'id al-Jawhariyya, list al-Iqtisad fi al-I‘tiqad among al-Maqdisi's writings as an unisnaded theological tract, with Ibn Rajab describing it as a substantial treatise (juz' kabir) . Extant manuscript copies are titled ‘Aqidat al-Hafiz Abd al-Ghani al-Maqdisi rather than al-Iqtisad fi al-I‘tiqad . Consequently, while some editors have identified this text as al-Iqtisad fi al-I‘tiqad, other scholars note that al-Iqtisad may have been a separate, larger work by the author .
Scope and Methodology
Unlike al-Maqdisi's Kitab al-Tawhid, which provides full chains of transmission (asānīd) for each report, al-Iqtisad fi al-I‘tiqad presents scriptural texts directly without isnads for the sake of brevity . Al-Maqdisi adheres to the method of early traditionists by presenting textual evidence plainly without speculative philosophical elaboration (kalam) or allegorical interpretation (ta'wil) .
The work covers foundational Islamic tenets, emphasizing divine transcendence alongside the affirmation of God's names and attributes as stated in revelation, notably His ascending over the Throne (al-istiwa') and divine highness (al-uluww), citing the seven Quranic verses on istiwa' alongside supportive hadiths . It also addresses divine decree (al-qadar), avoiding the determinism of the Jabriyya while affirming divine predetermination .
Printed Editions and Commentaries
The work was first printed in 1391 AH (1971 CE) under the supervision of Abdullah ibn Humayd within the compendium al-Majmu'a al-Ilmiyya al-Sa'udiyya . Subsequent editions include:
- An edition edited by Ahmad ibn Atiyya al-Ghamidi based on two manuscripts, published in Medina under the title al-Iqtisad fi al-I‘tiqad .
- An edition edited by Abdullah ibn Muhammad al-Busayri based on three manuscripts, published under the title ‘Aqidat al-Hafiz Taqi al-Din Abd al-Ghani al-Maqdisi .
The text has been commented upon by contemporary scholars, including Abd al-Razzaq al-Badr in Tadhkirat al-Mu'tasi Sharh ‘Aqidat al-Hafiz Abd al-Ghani al-Maqdisi and Abd al-Aziz al-Rajihi in Sharh al-Iqtisad fi al-I‘tiqad .
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