al-Qawaid al-Muthla fi Sifat Allah wa Asma'ihi al-Husna

al-Qawaid al-Muthla fi Sifat Allah wa Asma'ihi al-Husna (Exemplary Principles Concerning the Attributes and Beautiful Names of God) is a theological treatise on Islamic creed (aqidah) authored by the Saudi Hanbali scholar Ibn Uthaymin (d. 1421 AH / 2001 CE) al-Qawaid al-Muthla fi Si…+1. The work articulates foundational rules and hermeneutical guidelines for affirming the divine names and attributes in accordance with the creed of the early generations (al-Salaf al-Salih) al-Qawaid al-Muthla fi Si…+1.

Purpose and Scope

Ibn Uthaymin noted in his preface that faith in the divine names and attributes represents an integral component of belief in God—alongside affirming His existence, His lordship (rububiyyah), and His sole right to worship (uluhiyyah)—which makes sound knowledge of them essential for worshipping God with insight al-Qawaid al-Muthla fi Si…+1. He composed the book to synthesize clear principles in response to widespread discussions on the topic, addressing errors that arose from ignorance or sectarian partisanship al-Qawaid al-Muthla fi Si….

Structure and Content

The treatise is organized around concise, numbered principles categorized across key thematic areas:

• Principles regarding the Divine Names: Establishes that all of God's names are maximally beautiful (husna), denoting absolute perfection without defect Sharh al-Qawaid al-Muthla…+1. They serve simultaneously as proper names and descriptive titles (a'lam wa-awsaf) Sharh al-Qawaid al-Muthla…. If a name denotes a transitive attribute, it entails three dimensions: affirming the name itself, affirming the attribute it contains, and affirming its legal and existential implications al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+1. The names are revealed (tawqifiyyah), meaning they cannot be deduced purely through independent human reasoning, nor are they restricted to a specific finite number Sharh al-Qawaid al-Muthla…+1. The section also classifies and warns against deviation (ilhad) concerning them Sharh al-Qawaid al-Muthla….
• Principles regarding the Divine Attributes: Sets forth that God's attributes are entirely perfect and devoid of deficiencies—proven through scripture (sam'), intellect ('aql), and innate disposition (fitrah) Rasail al-Shaykh al-Hamad…+1. Attributes are broader in scope than names, and attributes that imply perfection only in certain contexts (such as requiting deceit or plots) are affirmed conditionally rather than unconditionally Sharh Kitab al-Tawhid li-…+1.
• Principles regarding Scriptural Evidence: Stipulates that divine names and attributes can only be established via the Quran and the Sunnah al-Qawaid al-Muthla fi Si…+1. What is affirmed therein must be affirmed, and what is negated must be negated alongside the affirmation of its perfect opposite al-Qawaid al-Muthla fi Si…+1. Regarding non-scriptural ambiguous terminology (al-alfaz al-mujmalah), one must withhold judgment on the term while examining the intended meaning: accepting what is true and fitting for God, and rejecting what is unworthy Majmu Fatawa wa Rasail al…+1. The texts must be maintained upon their apparent meanings (zahir) without distortion or allegorical divestment (ta'til) Taliq Mukhtasar ala Lumat…+1.
• Refutations and Conceptual Clarifications: Rebuts various doubts raised by opposing theological factions regarding texts describing divine attributes and clarifies contentious issues, including the proper understanding of God's accompanying presence (ma'iyyah) alongside His transcendence above creation al-Qawaid al-Muthla fi Si…+1.

Reception and Commentaries

The book was reviewed and commended by Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz, who lauded it as an eminent and valuable work that elucidates the Salafi creed and sets out major principles regarding the names and attributes al-Qawaid al-Muthla fi Si…+1.

Owing to its structured didactic presentation, the treatise became widely circulated and was expounded upon in various written commentaries and lecture series al-Taliq ala al-Qawaid al…+1. Notable commentaries include al-Ta'liq 'ala al-Qawa'id al-Muthla by Abd al-Rahman ibn Nasir al-Barrak (edited by Abdullah ibn Muhammad al-Mazru') al-Taliq ala al-Qawaid al…, al-Mujalla fi Sharh al-Qawa'id al-Muthla by Kamila al-Kuwari al-Mujalla fi Sharh al-Qa…+1, as well as explanations by Muhammad ibn Khalifa al-Tamimi Sharh al-Qawaid al-Muthla… and Abd al-Rahim al-Sulami Sharh al-Qawaid al-Muthla…+1.