Daf Dawwa al-Muarid al-Aqli an al-Ahadith al-Mutaalliqa bi-Masail al-Itiqad
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- Maktabat Dār al-Minhāj li-l-Nashr wa-al-Tawzī‘
Daf' Da'wa al-Mu'arid al-'Aqli 'an al-Ahadith al-Muta'alliqah bi-Masa'il al-I'tiqad: Dirasah lima fi al-Sahihayn (Arabic: دفع دعوى المعارض العقلي عن الأحاديث المتعلقة بمسائل الاعتقاد: دراسة لما في الصحيحين, lit. 'Warding Off the Claim of Rational Opposition Against Hadiths Pertaining to Issues of Creed: A Study of What Is in the Two Sahihs') is a theological work by Isa ibn Muhsin ibn Isa al-Na'ami . It defends creed-related hadiths recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim against assertions of rational incompatibility and contradictions with intellect raised by classical and contemporary theological critics .
Background and Composition
The book originated as an academic master's thesis in Islamic theology ('aqidah) submitted to the College of Da'wah and Usul al-Din at Umm al-Qura University in Makkah, where it received an excellent grade with a recommendation for publication . It was published in a single volume (878 pages) by Maktabat Dar al-Minhaj in Riyadh (1434–1435 AH / 2013–2014 CE) . The published edition contains a preface written by Abd al-Rahman ibn Salih al-Mahmud, dated Dhu al-Qi'dah 1430 AH .
Purpose and Scope
Al-Na'ami wrote the book to counter what he identified as rationalist objections (al-mu'arid al-'aqli) directed against authentic hadiths . He aimed to substantiate the classical Sunni premise that authentic revelation conveys matters that may confound human imagination (muharat al-'uqul) without presenting impossibilities that defy sound reason (muhilat al-'uqul) .
The scope of the work is restricted to narrations preserved in the two Sahih compilations of al-Bukhari and Muslim, which bypasses transmission critique and focuses on interpretive and substantive analysis (dirayah) . The author deliberately excludes hadiths concerning Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (the Unity of Lordship) and Asma' wa-Sifat (the Divine Names and Attributes), noting that they were assigned to an independent academic thesis, as well as matters regarding previous revealed scriptures .
Structure and Contents
The work comprises an introductory theoretical study (tamhid) followed by five major parts (abwab) organized around the pillars of faith :
- Introductory Study (al-Tamhid): Divided into four inquiries examining the definition of the alleged rational objection, dismantling the adversarial framework constructed between reason and literal revelation, deconstructing reductionist approaches to the Prophetic Sunnah, and refuting the claim that the Companions judged scriptural texts by detached rationalism .
- Part One: Monotheism and Faith (al-Tawhid wa-l-Iman): Comprises two chapters addressing rational claims regarding the reality of faith and intercession (al-shafa'ah), as well as hadiths on divine worship and uluhiyyah .
- Part Two: Prophethood (al-Nubuwwah): Comprises three chapters covering:
- Prophetic infallibility ('ismat al-anbiya'), including narrations concerning the bewitchment of the Prophet ﷺ, the opening of his chest, the three statements attributed to Ibrahim, and Musa slapping the Angel of Death .
- Prophetic signs and miracles (ayat al-anbiya'), including sensory miracles, the splitting of the moon, the Night Journey and Ascension (al-Isra' wa-l-Mi'raj), and the sinking of Suraqah ibn Malik's horse's hooves .
- The universal mission of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ .
- Part Three: Signs of the Hour and the Hereafter (Ashrat al-Sa'ah wa-l-Yawm al-Akhir): Comprises two chapters dealing with the general portents of the Hour, the Antichrist (al-Masih al-Dajjal), the narration of the Jassasah, the descent of Isa ibn Maryam, as well as eschatological realities including the punishment and bliss of the grave, the Scale (al-Mizan), the Bridge (al-Sirat), and the existence and eternity of Paradise and Hellfire .
- Part Four: Divine Decree (al-Qadar): Dedicated in a single chapter to hadiths on predestination and divine decree .
- Part Five: The Unseen Realm (al-Ghaybiyyat): Comprises four chapters addressing narrations on angels, jinn, devils, dreams and visions (al-ru'ya), and related matters of the unseen .
Throughout the analytical chapters, the author consistently follows a three-step structure: setting forth the relevant hadiths, detailing the specific rational objection directed at them, and providing a systematic rebuttal .
Answer updated