al-Urwa al-Wuthqa fi Daw al-Kitab wa al-Sunna
- Author died
- 1440 AH
- Editions
- Matba'at Safir
al-Urwa al-Wuthqa fi Daw al-Kitab wa al-Sunna (Arabic: العروة الوثقى في ضوء الكتاب والسنة, lit. 'The Firmest Bond in Light of the Qur'an and Sunnah') is a treatise on Islamic theology and the two testimonies of faith (al-shahadatayn) by the Saudi scholar Saeed bin Wahf al-Qahtani (d. 1440 AH / 2018 CE) .
Composition and Context
The author completed the treatise on Saturday, 17 Shawwal 1415 AH (18 March 1995 CE) . Subtitled al-Mafhūm, wa al-Faḍāʾil, wa al-Muqtaḍā, wa al-Arkān, wa al-Shurūṭ, wa al-Nawaqiṣ, wa al-Nawāqiḍ ("The Concept, Virtues, Implications, Pillars, Conditions, Deficiencies, and Nullifiers"), the work was composed to elucidate the statement of Islamic monotheism (kalimat al-tawhid), which al-Qahtani notes is designated in Islamic texts by names including "the firmest bond" (al-ʿurwa al-wuthqā), "the good word" (al-kalima al-ṭayyiba), "the word of piety" (kalimat al-taqwā), and "the testimony of truth" (shahādat al-ḥaqq) . The author later incorporated the text as the opening treatise of his broader compilation Aqidat al-Muslim fi Daw al-Kitab wa al-Sunna .
Structure and Contents
Al-Qahtani organized the treatise according to the creed of Ahl al-Sunna wa al-Jama'ah into four main chapters (fuṣūl), each subdivided into several thematic sections (mabāḥith) :
- Chapter One: Realization of the Testimony that There Is No God but Allah (Taḥqīq Shahādat An Lā Ilāha Illā Allāh): Covers the status and virtues of the statement; defines its meaning as "there is none worthy of worship in truth except Allah" (lā maʿbūda bi-ḥaqqin illā Allāh); outlines its pillars and conditions; establishes that it encompasses the categories of monotheism (tawhid); and discusses it as the central call of all prophets .
- Chapter Two: Realization of the Testimony that Muhammad Is the Messenger of Allah (Taḥqīq Shahādat Anna Muḥammadan Rasūl Allāh): Explores the meaning and requirements of the second testimony; the obligation of knowing the Prophet ﷺ; the arguments and proofs for his truthfulness; his rights over the Muslim community; the universal scope of his message; and the prohibition against excessive praise or theological extremism (ghuluw) regarding him .
- Chapter Three: Nullifiers and Deficiencies of the Two Testimonies (Nawāqiḍ wa Nawaqiṣ al-Shahādatayn): Classifies violations against faith; details the most critical and widespread nullifiers of Islam; analyzes categories of hypocrisy (nifāq) and religious innovations (bidaʿ); and outlines the fundamental origins of theological invalidators .
- Chapter Four: Inviting Polytheists to the Word of Tawhid (Daʿwat al-Mushrikīn Ilā Kalimat al-Tawḥīd): Addresses rational proofs for divine uniqueness; the weakness of false deities; Quranic parables; the absolute perfection of Allah; the distinction between affirmed and negated forms of intercession (al-shafāʿa); and the subjection of creation for humanity .
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