al-Ithaf fi al-Radd ala al-Sahhaf
- Author died
- 1293 AH
- Editions
- دار العاصمة
al-Ithaf fi al-Radd ala al-Sahhaf (Arabic: الإتحاف في الرد على الصحاف, lit. 'The Bestowal in Refuting al-Sahhaf') is a theological treatise written by the Najdi scholar Abd al-Latif ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan Al al-Shaykh (1225–1293 AH / 1810–1876 CE) to refute anti-Wahhabi polemics composed by Abd al-Latif ibn Abd al-Muhsin al-Sahhaf .
Background and Title
The treatise was dictated by Abd al-Latif Al al-Shaykh while taking part in the military expedition of Musaymir . He composed it after an associate brought him a booklet written by Abd al-Latif ibn Abd al-Muhsin al-Sahhaf, a resident of Bahrain . In that text, al-Sahhaf criticized the monotheists (al-muwahhidun) of Najd and praised certain regional scholars whom Abd al-Latif considered deviant . Abd al-Latif was requested to write a concise response refuting its arguments with theological evidence without unnecessary elongation .
In the majority of manuscript copies and collections, the work was designated simply as al-Radd ala al-Sahhaf ("The Refutation of al-Sahhaf") . The expanded rhyming title al-Ithaf fi al-Radd ala al-Sahhaf was recorded by Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd al-Latif Al al-Shaykh in Mashahir Ulama Najd . Later biographical writers, such as Abdullah al-Bassam, referred to the treatise as al-Radd ala Abd al-Muhsin al-Sahhafi; however, the author's own introduction directly identifies the target of the polemic as Abd al-Latif ibn Abd al-Muhsin al-Sahhaf .
Contents and Methodology
The work addresses several core theological and methodological topics:
- Hadith criticism: Abd al-Latif critiques al-Sahhaf's reliance on weak and fabricated hadiths in his preface, such as the reports stating "the scholars of my nation are like the prophets of the Children of Israel" and "my companions are like stars: whichever of them you follow, you will be guided" . He cites traditional authorities, including Ibn Abd al-Barr and Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, to demonstrate that the narration regarding the companions is unauthentic and rejected by hadith masters .
- The meaning of the Shahada: The author clarifies the implications of the testimony of faith (la ilaha illa Allah), arguing that mere verbal pronunciation does not protect an individual if they violate monotheism by directing worship to others or defending polytheistic practices .
- Rules of Excommunication (takfir): The treatise delineates the categories of takfir, examining judgments rendered by an errant interpreter (muta'awwil) who is excused, judgments based on definitive scriptural proofs, accusations driven by personal enmity or doctrinal prejudice, and the distinction between major polytheism (shirk) and major sins below disbelief, such as theft, fornication, and drinking wine .
- Defense against polemical claims: Abd al-Latif responds to charges cited by al-Sahhaf from his teacher Husayn al-Dawsari, which accused the Najdi movement of declaring Muslim scholars apostates and shedding blood .
- Ritual and spiritual issues: The text briefly addresses lawful remembrance (dhikr), the ruling on spiritual audition and singing (sama‘), and excessive devotion to spiritual teachers .
Transmission and Publication
A 19-page manuscript copy of the treatise is preserved in the Saudi Library in Riyadh (MS 359/86) . The text was transcribed in 1338 AH by the author's student Sulayman ibn Sahman .
The treatise was subsequently published in collective Najdi compendia:
- In Majmu'at al-Rasa'il wa-l-Masa'il al-Najdiyya (Volume 3, pp. 429–440) .
- In al-Durar al-Saniyya fi al-Ajwiba al-Najdiyya, compiled by Abd al-Rahman ibn Qasim .
- As an independent volume edited by Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd Allah al-Zir Al Hamad, published by Dar al-Asima in Riyadh (1416 AH / 1995 CE), collated against the manuscript and earlier printed editions .
Answer updated