al-Shahada al-Zakiyya fi Thana al-Aimma ala Ibn Taymiyya
- Author died
- 1033 AH
- Editions
- Dar al-Furqan
al-Shahada al-Zakiyya fi Thana al-Aimma ala Ibn Taymiyya (The Pure Testimony Regarding the Imams' Praise of Ibn Taymiyya) is a biographical treatise by the Palestinian-born Hanbali jurist Mari al-Karmi (d. 1033 AH / 1624 CE) compiling the testimonies, commendations, and scholarly appraisals of the Hanbali scholar Ibn Taymiyya (661–728 AH / 1263–1328 CE) across the Islamic legal schools .
Background and Purpose
In his opening remarks, al-Karmi states that numerous scholars had written dedicated works and historical entries regarding the virtues of Ibn Taymiyya, most prominently Ibn Nasir al-Din al-Dimashqi (d. 842 AH) in his al-Radd al-Wafir . Al-Karmi explains that he composed the book as an abridgment of those scholarly testimonies while adding further pertinent additions (zawa'id latifah) to preserve the standing of leading scholars and out of devotion to Ibn Taymiyya . He also wrote the work to counter accusations of deviance and heresy levelled against Ibn Taymiyya, asserting that his controversial legal stances—such as those on tomb visitation (ziyara) and triple divorce (talaq)—stemmed from legitimate independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) rather than hostility, and that an ijtihad is rewarded regardless of outcome .
Contents and Sources
The book begins with a concise biographical sketch outlining Ibn Taymiyya's lineage, the origin of the surname "Ibn Taymiyya", and his birth and death dates . Al-Karmi then presents a succession of documented appraisals by prominent jurists and traditionists, drawing significantly upon earlier biographical works, including al-Uqud al-Durriyya by Ibn Abd al-Hadi and al-A'lam al-Aliyya by Abu Hafs al-Bazzar .
Among the scholars and sources cited in the work are:
- Ibn Sayyid al-Nas, who praised Ibn Taymiyya's mastery across Quranic exegesis, hadith, jurisprudence, and sectarian doctrines, recounting his trials and popular support .
- Ibn Daqiq al-Eid, who remarked upon meeting him that all sciences appeared laid out before Ibn Taymiyya's eyes, from which he took what he wished and left what he wished .
- Ibn al-Wardi, who recounted attending his gatherings and composed verses extolling his revival of religious sciences .
- Leading Hanafi and Shafi'i authorities, including Chief Judge Muhammad ibn al-Hariri al-Hanafi, the historian al-Hasan ibn Habib in Durrat al-Aslak, and Salih ibn Umar al-Bulqini in his endorsement of al-Radd al-Wafir .
Al-Karmi concludes the treatise with his own prose reflections affirming Ibn Taymiyya's standing as an imam, mujtahid, and defender of the Sunnah against heterodox groups, while rebuking those who charge him with infidelity or heresy .
Publication
The work was edited and verified by Najm Abd al-Rahman Khalaf and published in 1404 AH (1984 CE) jointly by Mu'assasat al-Risala in Beirut and Dar al-Furqan in Amman . It was also published by al-Maktab al-Islami .
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