al-Qawaid fi Tawhid al-Ibada
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- Dar al-Amajid lil-Tiba'ah wal-Nashr
al-Qawaid fi Tawhid al-Ibada (Arabic: القواعد في توحيد العبادة, The Maxims of the Monotheism of Worship) is a contemporary treatise on Islamic theology by Muhammad bin Abdullah Bajasir, dedicated to gathering, articulating, and analyzing doctrinal principles and maxims (qawaʿid) governing the monotheism of worship (tawhid al-ʿibada) and its opposite, polytheism (al-shirk), according to Ahl al-Sunna wa-l-Jamaʿa .
Composition and Purpose
The book originated as a doctoral dissertation, serving as a continuation of Bajasir's master's thesis, which examined the terminology of tawhid al-ʿibada . The author noted that while previous theological studies had formulated universal maxims regarding the divine names and attributes, and earlier works like the concise treatises of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab had outlined foundational principles, comprehensive works specifically gathering maxims across the entire domain of tawhid al-ʿibada were lacking .
Bajasir stated that his primary motivations for the study included facilitating the retention and comprehension of creedal issues by framing them through comprehensive principles, extracting maxims embedded throughout classical scholarly literature, and providing doctrinal clarity against widespread forms of polytheism and theological deviation .
Structure and Content
The work is organized into an introduction, a preliminary section (tamhid), two main parts (abwab), and a conclusion :
- Preliminary Section: Clarifies key definitions of maxims (qawaʿid), criteria (dawabit), and foundational roots (usul); examines the methodology and impact of framing scholarly subjects into maxims; and explores the definitions, status, textual evidences, and varied naming conventions of tawhid al-ʿibada .
- Part One: Maxims Concerning the Monotheism of Worship: Divided into six chapters containing twenty-five maxims in total:
- Chapter One: General maxims regarding tawhid al-ʿibada (eight maxims) .
- Chapter Two: Maxims concerning the reality and defining criterion of worship (three maxims) .
- Chapter Three: Maxims relating to the other categories of tawhid (four maxims) .
- Chapter Four: Maxims concerning the foundation of monotheism (five maxims) .
- Chapter Five: Maxims on realizing tawhid al-ʿibada and its evidences (two maxims) .
- Chapter Six: Maxims regarding the refutation of religious innovations (three maxims) .
- Part Two: Maxims Concerning What Opposes the Monotheism of Worship: Divided into four chapters containing seventeen maxims in total:
- Chapter One: Maxims defining shirk and its nature (seven maxims) .
- Chapter Two: Maxims concerning the abhorrence of shirk and its categories (three maxims) .
- Chapter Three: Maxims relating to the means and causes leading to shirk (three maxims) .
- Chapter Four: Maxims regarding the invalidation of shirk and the reality of the polytheists (four maxims) .
- Conclusion: Summarizes the principal findings and provides indexes for references and subject matters .
Methodology
In formulating and analyzing each maxim, Bajasir followed a systematic six-step structure: stating the phrasing of the maxim, explaining its overarching meaning, elucidating specific terms where necessary, citing scriptural evidences, documenting scholarly consensus and quotations validating the rule, and detailing its doctrinal benefits and practical applications .
To derive the maxims from classical scholarship, he relied on three criteria: statements explicitly designated by scholars as maxims or foundational roots (usul); overarching universal statements framed with comprehensive terms such as kull ("all" or "every"); and core doctrinal principles deduced implicitly from classical arguments and subsequently refined into concise maxim form .
Reception
The work received scholarly appreciation, including commendation from Abd al-Jabbar Al Majid, who praised its structured approach, sound analysis, and usefulness for students of Islamic sciences and scholars alike .
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