Abd al-Rahman al-Muallimi al-Yamani
al-Radd ala Hasan al-Dali - ضمن "Athar al-Muallimi
- Author died
- 1386 AH
- Editions
- دار عالم الفوائد للنشر والتوزيع
al-Radd ala Hasan al-Dali (A Refutation of Hasan al-Dali) is a theological treatise written by the Yemeni scholar Abd al-Rahman al-Muallimi al-Yamani (1312–1386 AH / 1894–1966 CE) to refute the doctrines of incarnationism (hulul) and the unity of existence (wahdat al-wujud) .
Context and Purpose
The treatise was composed in Aden in late 1341 AH (1923 CE) . Al-Mu'allimi wrote it after learning about Hasan ibn Ibrahim Baharun al-Dali, an advocate of esoteric incarnationist beliefs who had resided in Sabya, al-Dali', and then Yafi', where a large following gathered around him . Al-Dali allegedly promoted the abandonment of religious obligations, challenged the proof and inimitability of the Quran, and contested the authenticity of the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ .
Several contemporary scholars had already composed treatises against al-Dali, including al-Mu'allimi's teacher Salim ibn Abd al-Rahman Basahey in a treatise entitled Kashf al-Ghita . When asked by peers to write his own response, al-Mu'allimi noted that existing works were framed with anger and severity; he opted instead for a measured, gentle approach suitable for instructing the ignorant and guiding deceived followers .
Structure and Contents
Al-Mu'allimi did not assign a formal title to the work; its manuscript bore the heading Risala fi al-Hulul (A Treatise on Incarnationism), and it is also identified as al-Radd ala al-Mutasawwifa al-Qailin bi-Wahdat al-Wujud (A Refutation of the Sufis Who Assert the Unity of Existence) . The author planned the work into an introduction, three chapters, and a conclusion:
- Introduction (Muqaddima): Transmitted reports and chains of narration regarding al-Dali and his followers, including accounts heard from teachers such as Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Idris and Salim ibn Abd al-Rahman Basahey .
- Chapter One (al-Fasl al-Awwal): An analysis of the concept of wahdat al-wujud invoked by Sufis and an exposition of the doctrines held by leading Sufi figures .
- Chapter Two (al-Fasl al-Thani): The doctrine of unity as held by extremists, comparisons with analogous sect doctrines, and refutations drawn from both rational arguments (aql) and scriptural texts (naql) .
- Chapter Three (al-Fasl al-Thalith): The legal status and rulings concerning anyone who propagates these doctrines, believes in them, doubts them, or remains silent .
- Conclusion (Khatima): Prophetic hadiths warning against deceivers and impostors (dajjals) .
Manuscript and Transmission
The surviving autograph manuscript was preserved in the Library of the Holy Mosque in Mecca (Maktabat al-Haram al-Makki al-Sharif) . Portions of its leaves were heavily worn and eroded at the edges . The text was edited and published as part of the sixth volume (Majmu Rasa'il al-Aqida) of the comprehensive multi-volume collection Athar al-Mu'allimi .
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