Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi Daw al-Isma wal-Ijtihad

Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi Daw al-Isma wal-Ijtihad (Verses of Divine Admonition to the Chosen One in Light of Infallibility and Independent Reasoning) is a theological and exegetical study by the Saudi scholar Uwayd al-Mutrafi (d. 1429 AH / 2008 CE) examining the Quranic verses addressed to the Prophet Muhammad that convey divine reproof or admonition (itab) Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…+1.

Purpose and Background

Al-Mutrafi composed the book to address the apparent tension between the theological doctrine of prophetic infallibility (ismah), the Prophet's sanctioned use of independent judgment (ijtihad) in matters where direct revelation had not yet descended, and the Quranic verses that feature divine admonition Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…. A primary objective was to clarify these verses in their textual contexts to dispel confusion among Muslims and counter polemical critiques advanced by Orientalists and Christian missionaries Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…. Al-Mutrafi noted that while earlier scholars—such as al-Qadi Iyad in al-Shifa bi-Ta'rif Huquq al-Mustafa and al-Qastallani in al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah—had addressed isolated verses in biographical and theological discussions, no comprehensive standalone monograph had previously been dedicated to examining all such verses systematically Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D….

Contents and Structure

The work comprises an opening sermon, an introduction, three main parts (abwab), and a conclusion Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…:

• Part One: Examines the doctrine of prophetic infallibility (‘ismat al-anbiya’), defining it linguistically and jurisprudentially, and analyzing its scope before and after prophethood, including consensus on the prophets' protection from disbelief (kufr), error in conveying revelation (tabligh), and major sins, as well as minor sins that compromise dignity Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…+1.
• Part Two: Investigates prophetic ijtihad, presenting textual evidence and practical historical incidents demonstrating that the Prophet was permitted to exercise reasoned judgment in situations where revelation had not yet been revealed Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…+1. When his judgment was correct, revelation confirmed it; when it diverged from what was optimal, revelation intervened to correct it Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D….
• Part Three: Defines the concept of divine admonition (‘itab)—clarified as gentle, compassionate reminding rather than punitive blame—and addresses the meaning of "sin" (dhanb) and its relative attribution in certain verses Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…+1. It categorizes the verses of admonition into three primary classes:
  1. Admonition of Guidance (‘Itab al-Tawjih): Directing and strengthening the Prophet's resolve in the face of opposition to the message, comprising five verses Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…+1.
  2. Admonition of Alertness (‘Itab al-Tanbih): Alerting the Prophet to actions that might otherwise recur, spanning verses across five scriptural contexts Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…+1.
  3. Admonition of Warning (‘Itab al-Tahdhir): Cautioning against the consequences of an error in ijtihad that could impact legal rulings or the community's guidance if left uncorrected, spanning twenty verses across eight scriptural contexts Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…+1.

The book concludes with a summary of the findings and reflections on the theological significance of divine admonition as an expression of divine care and guidance rather than an infringement on prophetic status Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…+1.

Publication History

The treatise has been published in a single volume in multiple editions, including by Dar al-Fikr al-Arabi in Egypt and by the Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies at King Abdulaziz University in Mecca (third edition, 1426 AH / 2005 CE) Ayat Itab al-Mustafa fi D…+1.