al-Radd ala al-Duktur Abd al-Wahid Wafi fi Kitabihi Bayn al-Shia wa Ahl al-Sunna
- Author died
- 1407 AH
- Editions
- Idarat Turjuman al-Sunnah
al-Radd ala al-Duktur Abd al-Wahid Wafi fi Kitabihi Bayn al-Shia wa Ahl al-Sunna (Refutation of Dr. Abd al-Wahid Wafi in His Book "Between the Shia and Ahl al-Sunna") is a theological critique by the Pakistani scholar Ihsan Ilahi Zaheer (1360–1407 AH / 1941–1987 CE), written in response to the Egyptian scholar Ali Abd al-Wahid Wafi's treatise on Sunnism and Twelver Shi'ism.
Background and Composition
Zaheer encountered Wafi's booklet, Bayn al-Shia wa Ahl al-Sunna, while visiting Cairo to research libraries and gather source materials on Fatimid and Ismaili history. He began drafting a refutation in Cairo, where he wrote the introduction and the first chapter, but paused because Shi'i primary texts were scarce during his short stay. After traveling to Europe, he resumed writing upon returning to Pakistan, completing the book amidst constant travels and preaching engagements across various Pakistani cities. It was published in Lahore by Idarat Turjuman al-Sunna under the title al-Radd al-Kafi ala Mughalatat al-Duktur Ali Abd al-Wahid Wafi fi Kitabihi Bayn al-Shia wa Ahl al-Sunna in 1405 AH (c. 251 pages).
Structure and Contents
The book opens with an introduction praising Cairo's scholarly heritage, after which Zaheer outlines his core objection: that Wafi wrote without deep examination or comprehensive reading of Shi'i literature, leading him to defend stances that contradict standard Shi'i texts. Zaheer maintained that he felt compelled to publish the critique because Wafi's prominent academic standing—having notably edited Ibn Khaldun's Muqaddima and history—could mislead readers and students.
Key topics and chapters in the work include:
- Wafi's Errors and Historical Premises (Chapter One): Zaheer critiques what he terms elementary historical and doctrinal errors in Wafi's booklet, arguing that good intentions led Wafi to draw ungrounded conclusions.
- Creation and Divine Action: Refuting Wafi's claim that Twelver Shi'is do not attribute creation to any entity other than God, Zaheer cites narrations from al-Kulayni and other Shi'i compilations describing forms of creation associated with other beings.
- Precautionary Dissimulation (Taqiyya): A discussion challenging Wafi's endorsement of Shi'i principles of taqiyya and disputing his argument that such practices find sanction in the Quran and the Prophetic Sunna.
- Revelation and Angels after the Prophets (Chapter Four): Zaheer rejects Wafi's argument that Shi'i views on the infallibility and inspiration of their Imams merely mirror the inspiration (ilham) recognized for certain early Companions; he cites chapter headings and reports from canonical Shi'i hadith books asserting ongoing communication between the Imams and angels.
- Stances Toward the Early Caliphs (Chapter Seven): Zaheer disputes Wafi's claim that cursing Abu Bakr and Umar or accusing Uthman is restricted to commoners (awamm) and rejected by Shi'i scholars. Zaheer lists major classical exegetes, traditionists, and theologians—such as al-Ayyashi, Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, Ibn Babawayh al-Qummi, al-Tusi, al-Shaykh al-Mufid, al-Kashshi, Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Ardabili, and Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi—to argue that these positions are documented throughout their authoritative literature.
The book concludes with a brief postscript detailing its composition history across Egypt, Europe, and Pakistan.
Answer updated