Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari al-Itiqadiyya

Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari al-Itiqadiyya min Khilal Sharhayhima li-Sahih Muslim: Dirasa wa-Tarjih (The Theological Views of al-Qurtubi and al-Mazari Through Their Commentaries on Sahih Muslim: A Study and Assessment) is an academic study in Islamic creed by Abd Allah ibn Muhammad al-Rumayyan analyzing the theological positions of Abu al-Abbas al-Qurtubi (d. 656 AH) and Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mazari (d. 536 AH) Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari…+1.

Origin and Composition

The work originated as a doctoral dissertation submitted to the Department of Creed at Umm al-Qura University in Mecca, supervised by Ali ibn Nufay' al-Ulyani and initially by Mahmud Khafaji Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari…+1. The dissertation was defended on 2 Safar 1421 AH and received the grade of "Excellent" with a recommendation for publication and academic exchange Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari….

The author initially intended to study only Abu al-Abbas al-Qurtubi's al-Mufhim lima Ushkila min Talkhis Kitab Muslim following its initial printed release in seven volumes, but the department committee recommended adding the commentary of al-Mazari, al-Mu'lim bi-Fawa'id Muslim, as it is the earliest extant commentary on Sahih Muslim Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari…. The author noted that both figures were scholars of the Maliki school who followed Ash'ari theological reasoning in numerous issues while serving the Sunnah and defending it Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari…+1.

Structure and Scope

The book is organized into an introduction, four main parts (abwab), and a conclusion Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari…:

• Part One: Biographies and eras of al-Mazari and Abu al-Abbas al-Qurtubi, divided into two chapters examining their historical contexts, personal lives, scholarly contributions, and introductions to their respective commentaries (al-Mu'lim and al-Mufhim) Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari….
• Part Two: Faith and Monotheism (al-Iman wa-al-Tawhid), encompassing chapters on the definitions of faith and Islam, the status of the grave sinner, theological scholasticism (ilm al-kalam), Tawhid al-Rububiyya, divine decree (qadar), and the divine names and attributes Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari…+1.
• Part Three: Prophethood, the imamate, and the Companions, detailing the status and justice of the Companions and theological positions on leadership Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari….
• Part Four: The Last Day (al-Yawm al-Akhir), consisting of four chapters covering the signs of the Hour, the trial and state of the grave, the soul (al-ruh), the resurrection and gathering (al-ba'th wa-al-hashr), the Scale (al-mizan), intercession (al-shafa'a), the Basin (al-hawd), the Bridge (al-sirat), and Paradise and Hellfire Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari…+1.

Methodology

The author extracted theological discussions scattered throughout al-Mufhim and al-Mu'lim, grouping them according to classical theological topics Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari…. In each section, the author presents the views of al-Qurtubi followed by those of al-Mazari, evaluates their stances against the theological positions of early Muslim scholars (al-salaf), and provides supporting evidence from early authorities where their views align, while critiquing and responding to points where they leaned toward Ash'ari figurative interpretation (ta'wil) or speculative theology Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari…+1.

Publication

The work was published in two volumes in a first edition dated 1427 AH (2006 CE), distributed by Dar Ibn al-Jawzi Ara al-Qurtubi wal-Mazari…+1.