al-Masail al-Aqadiyya al-Mutaalliqa bi-Ism Allah
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al-Masa'il al-Iqdiyya al-Muta'alliqa bi-Ism Allah (al-Masāʾil al-ʿIqdīyah al-Mutaʿalliqah bi-Ism Allāh ʿAzza wa-Jall, "Creedal Issues Related to the Name of Allah, Mighty and Majestic") is a contemporary doctrinal study by the Saudi theologian Muhammad ibn Khalifa al-Tamimi examining the theological, linguistic, and devotional questions surrounding the proper name of God (lafz al-jalalah).
Purpose and Scope
The work investigates the doctrinal implications connected to the proper name "Allah", addressing both its verbal and semantic characteristics, its linguistic meaning, and whether it is derived (mushtaqq) or primitive (jamid). The author frames the subject as an integral part of acquiring sound knowledge of God's names and attributes based on the Quran, the Sunnah, and the reports of the early generations (al-Salaf), free from negation (ta'til) and anthropomorphism (tamthil), while highlighting the disputes between Sunnis and various theological sects.
Structure and Contents
The book consists of an introduction, a preliminary chapter, four main thematic sections (mabahith), and a conclusion:
- Preliminary Overview (al-Tamhid): Surveys the doctrinal positions of various Islamic sects regarding the divine names.
- First Section: Examines the dispute over whether the name "Allah" is derived or primitive across four sub-inquiries (matalib): the definition of a name (ism) linguistically and technically, whether God's names in general are primitive or derived, whether the specific name "Allah" is primitive or derived, and its root etymology.
- Second Section: Addresses whether "Allah" is the Greatest Name (al-Ism al-A'zam), encompassing: the ranking and superiority (tafadul) among divine names, scholarly views identifying the Greatest Name, arguments of those who identify it specifically as "Allah", and the preponderant view on the issue.
- Third Section: Investigates the practice of invoking or remembering God using the single, isolated divine name (al-dhikr bi-lafz al-jalalah mufradan), containing an overview of legislated forms of remembrance, the arguments raised by proponents of single-word dhikr, and a refutation of their positions.
- Fourth Section: Details the unique phonetic and lexical characteristics (al-khasais al-lafziyya) as well as the conceptual and spiritual characteristics (al-khasais al-ma'nawiyya) peculiar to the name "Allah".
Method
The author compiled and organized material dispersed across diverse classical Islamic works, structuring specific theological questions and their sub-branches, while relying on statements transmitted from early authorities to evaluate and weigh contested issues.
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