al-Tuhfa al-Bahiya fi Sharh Risalat al-Ubudiya
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al-Tuhfa al-Bahiya fi Sharh Risalat al-Ubudiya (The Radiant Masterpiece in Explaining the Treatise on Servitude) is an Islamic theological commentary authored by Muhammad ibn Khalifa al-Tamimi on the classical treatise Risalat al-Ubudiya by Ibn Taymiyyah (661–728 AH / 1263–1328 CE) .
Subject and Content
The base text, Risalat al-Ubudiya, originated as an answer written by Ibn Taymiyyah to a question concerning the true meaning and reality of worship (al-ibada), its outward and inward dimensions, and the highest spiritual stations in this life and the hereafter . In the treatise, worship is defined comprehensively as an all-inclusive noun for everything that God loves and is pleased with—encompassing inner and outer speech and actions, such as ritual prayer, almsgiving, fasting, truthfulness, fulfilling trusts, loving God and His Messenger, fearing Him, and relying upon Him .
The work addresses servitude to God (al-ubudiya) as the cornerstone of monotheism (tawhid) and the primary message of all the messengers . It categorizes servitude into two distinct types:
- Universal or involuntary servitude (al-ubudiya al-idtirariya), which applies to all created beings by virtue of their subjugation under God's creative will and universal lordship (rububiya) .
- Voluntary and chosen servitude (al-ubudiya al-ikhtiyariya), which consists of deliberate obedience, love, and adherence to divine legislation, forming the basis of religious salvation .
al-Tamimi's commentary explains the theological definitions, textual proofs, and creedal issues presented by Ibn Taymiyyah, elucidating the distinction between the universal cosmic order and the legislative command, while refuting doctrines that conflate the two .
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