Aqidat al-Tawhid fi al-Quran al-Karim
- Author died
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- Editions
- Maktabat Dār al-Zamān
Aqidat al-Tawhid fi al-Quran al-Karim (The Creed of Monotheism in the Holy Quran) is a contemporary theological treatise authored by Muhammad Khalil Malkawi (Muhammad Ahmad Muhammad Abd al-Qadir Khalil Malkawi), focused on the Quranic method of affirming monotheism (tawhid) and refuting polytheism (shirk).
Background and Purpose
The work was originally prepared as an academic master's thesis in Islamic theology. Malkawi stated that he chose the subject after being drawn to the simplicity, clarity, and harmony with the innate human disposition (fitrah) found in the Quran's presentation of tawhid, in contrast to the complexity found in philosophical works and the writings of speculative theologians influenced by philosophy.
Structure and Contents
The book is structured into an introduction, four main parts (abwab), and a conclusion:
- Part One: Creed and Its Status (al-Aqidah wa-makanatuha): Contains five chapters addressing the linguistic and legal definitions of creed; the sources of Islamic creed as being based on revelation (the Quran and Sunnah); its distinctive characteristics; its impact on individual and societal conduct (including a discussion of the state of the Arabs prior to Islam); and the constancy of monotheism as the origin of all divine messages, accompanied by a critique of evolutionary theories of religion.
- Part Two: The Reality of Monotheism (Haqiqat al-tawhid): Divided into three chapters examining the meanings of four core Quranic terms (al-ilah, al-rabb, al-din, and al-'ibadah); the categories of monotheism (tawhid al-rububiyyah, tawhid al-uluhiyyah, and tawhid al-asma wa-l-sifat) alongside responses to those who reject this classification; and the necessity of tawhid for human existence in both this world and the hereafter.
- Part Three: The Quranic Methodology in Affirming Tawhid (al-Manhaj al-Qur'ani fi taqrir aqidat al-tawhid): Consists of five chapters exploring the Quran's use of cosmic proofs (creation and divine care); Quranic parables (amthal); prophetic narratives (covering resolute messengers such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, non-resolute messengers, and righteous non-prophets such as the Companions of the Cave); reminders of divine blessings; and rational arguments pertaining to God and exposing the deficiencies and powerlessness of idols.
- Part Four: Distinctions of the Quranic Method over Theologians and Philosophers (Mumayyazat tariqat al-Quran al-Karim 'ala tariqat al-mutakallimin wa-l-falasifah): Spans three chapters outlining the methods and shortcomings of speculative theologians (mutakallimun) and philosophers (falasifah) in proving the existence of God—such as their primary focus on tawhid al-rububiyyah and intricate logical syllogisms—and contrasting them with the clarity and directness of the Quranic method.
Sources and Editions
In deriving the Quranic proofs and exegesis, the author relied heavily on classical commentaries on the Quran, prioritizing five primary works: Tafsir al-Tabari, Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Al-Bahr al-Muhit, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, and Al-Kashshaf by al-Zamakhshari (consulted via the edition containing Ibn al-Munayyir's glosses to navigate its Mu'tazilite interpretations).
The book was published in its first edition in 1405 AH / 1985 CE by Dar Ibn Taymiyyah in Riyadh (printed at Matabi' al-Farazdaq), and has also been issued by Maktabat Dar al-Zaman.
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