Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya

Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya (Arabic: آراء السمعاني العقدية, lit. 'The Theological Views of al-Samani') is a contemporary study in Islamic theology by Mazin ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, dedicated to compiling and analyzing the creedal positions of the fifth-century scholar Abu al-Muzaffar al-Samani as presented in his Quranic exegesis Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya+1.

Background and Composition

The book originated as a doctoral dissertation in Islamic theology (aqidah) prepared in 1437 AH (2016 CE) and defended in 1438 AH at the University of the Holy Quran and Islamic Sciences in Omdurman, Sudan, under the academic supervision of Salah Ibrahim Isa, receiving a grade of distinction (mumtaz) Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya. The author undertook the work to extract and systematically analyze the theological stances embedded throughout Abu al-Muzaffar al-Samani's commentary Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Aziz (Interpretation of the Mighty Quran) Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya+1. While acknowledging an earlier master's thesis by Muhammad ibn Bu Bakr Benali focused generally on al-Samani's role in affirming early Sunni creed, the author designed this research specifically to examine the interpretive and doctrinal positions derived directly from al-Samani's tafsir in dialogue with classical theological sources Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya+1.

Structure and Contents

The work is organized into an introduction, a biographical and historical prelude, seven core chapters, and a conclusion Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya:

• Prelude (Tamhid): Surveys the political, social, and scholarly climate of fifth-century Khurasan—particularly al-Samani's native city of Marw—alongside his biography, teachers, students, writings, and the hermeneutical method of his tafsir Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya+1.
• Chapter 1 (Belief in Allah): Examines divine lordship (tawhid al-rububiyyah), worship (tawhid al-uluhiyyah), and the divine names and attributes (tawhid al-asma wa-l-sifat), including al-Samani's interpretations of specific Quranic expressions Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya+2.
• Chapter 2 (Belief in Angels, Jinn, and Devils): Treats the nature, duties, and theological debates surrounding angels and the spirit world Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya+1.
• Chapter 3 (Belief in Revealed Scriptures): Focuses on the Quran, its divine origin, its status as the uncreated word of God, and its literary inimitability (i'jaz) Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya.
• Chapter 4 (Belief in the Messengers): Addresses prophetic characteristics, infallibility (ismah), miracles, and the special status of the Prophet Muhammad Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya.
• Chapter 5 (Belief in the Last Day): Discusses the portents of the Hour, the intermediate realm of the grave (barzakh), bodily resurrection, and eschatological events Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya.
• Chapter 6 (Belief in Divine Decree and Predestination): Analyzes the degrees of divine decree (al-qada wa-l-qadar), refutations of the Qadariyyah, human capacity (istita'ah), and questions of rational ethics (al-tahsin wa-l-taqbih) Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya+1.
• Chapter 7 (Complementary Theological Themes): Covers definitions of faith (iman) and disbelief (kufr), the status of the perpetrator of major sins, the merits of Islam, and the status and succession of the Prophet's Companions Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya+1.

Methodology and Findings

The author adopts a descriptive, analytical, and inductive approach, gathering doctrinal passages from al-Samani's commentary, tracing their scriptural evidence, and comparing them with broader Sunni theological literature Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya. The study concludes that Abu al-Muzaffar al-Samani adhered broadly to the theological methodology of the early traditionalists (Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Hadith), noting isolated points where his framing diverged from standard traditionalist phrasing, such as his formulation on the role of reason in moral obligation and value judgements prior to revelation Ara al-Samani al-Aqdiyya+1.