al-Istiqama
- Author died
- 728 AH
- Editions
- Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
al-Istiqama (Uprightness) is a theological and critical treatise by the scholar Ibn Taymiyya (d. 728 AH / 1328 CE), dedicated to evaluating Sufi concepts and doctrines through a detailed critique of Abu al-Qasim al-Qushayri's (d. 465 AH) al-Risala al-Qushayriyya (The Qushayri Epistle) .
Composition and Context
According to Ibn al-Mibrad, al-Istiqama was among the works composed by Ibn Taymiyya during his seven-year stay in Egypt while he was imprisoned . The book forms part of a broader series of critical writings by Ibn Taymiyya addressing prominent Sufi texts, which also included critiques of Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani's Futuh al-Ghayb (Revelations of the Unseen) and Ibn al-Arif's Mahasin al-Majalis (The Beauties of Spiritual Sessions) .
Scope and Method
al-Istiqama is regarded as one of Ibn Taymiyya's most comprehensive treatises in refuting and critiquing the views of Sufi practitioners and theorists . In it, he articulates foundational principles and rules (usul and qawa'id) for assessing Sufi thought against orthodox Islamic sources . In his critical analysis, Ibn Taymiyya focused specifically on examining and addressing the positions and arguments recorded by al-Qushayri in al-Risala al-Qushayriyya, restricting his commentary to al-Qushayri's text rather than extending it to other figures .
Reception and Later Use
Ibn Taymiyya's student Ibn al-Qayyim drew heavily on al-Istiqama in his treatise al-Kalam 'ala Mas'alat al-Sama' (Discourse on the Question of Audition) . Ibn al-Qayyim utilized Ibn Taymiyya's detailed refutation of al-Qushayri's defense of mystical music and audition (sama'), refining Ibn Taymiyya's discussions while adding further arguments, supplementary proofs, and traditions .
Modern Publication and Studies
The work was edited by Muhammad Rashad Salim and published in two volumes by Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in 1403–1404 AH (1983–1984 CE) . Salim's edition was later examined by 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Muhammad Al 'Abd al-Latif in a critical monograph titled al-Istiqama li-Ibn Taymiyya tahqiq al-Duktur Muhammad Rashad Salim: Taswibat wa-Ta'liqat (Ibn Taymiyya's al-Istiqama Edited by Dr. Muhammad Rashad Salim: Corrections and Comments), which offered textual emendations based on cross-referencing Ibn Taymiyya's other writings and al-Risala al-Qushayriyya .
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