Fityatan Tataallaqan bi-Takfir al-Jahmiyya
- Author died
- 1349 AH
- Editions
- Dār al-‘Āṣimah
Fityatan Tataallaqan bi-Takfir al-Jahmiyya (Arabic: فتييان تتعلقان بتكفير الجهمية, lit. 'Two Fatwas Concerning the Excommunication of the Jahmiyya') is a theological and legal treatise containing doctrinal responsa co-authored by Sulayman bin Sahman (1266–1349 AH / 1850–1930 CE), Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Latif Al al-Shaykh (1265–1339 AH / 1849–1921 CE), and Ibrahim ibn Abd al-Latif Al al-Shaykh (1280–1329 AH / 1863–1911 CE) . The text addresses the excommunication (takfir) of theological opponents and the validity of performing ritual prayer behind those who hesitate or decline to excommunicate them .
Title and Authorship
The complete title of the work is Fityatan Tataallaqan bi-Takfir al-Jahmiyya wa-Anna al-Salah La Tasihhu Khalf Man La Yukaffir al-Jahmiyya wa-Masa'il Ukhar (Two Fatwas Concerning the Excommunication of the Jahmiyya, That Prayer Behind Someone Who Does Not Excommunicate the Jahmiyya Is Invalid, and Other Issues) . It represents a joint legal response delivered by the three Najdi scholars—Ibrahim ibn Abd al-Latif, Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Latif, and Sulayman bin Sahman al-Faz'i al-Khath'ami .
Doctrinal Scope and Arguments
The treatise focuses on several interlinked theological and jurisprudential issues:
- Excommunication and Prayer Behind Doubters: The authors rule that leading prayer (imama) is invalid when performed by someone who does not excommunicate the Jahmiyya and tomb-worshippers (al-quburiyyun) or who harbors doubts regarding their disbelief, describing this determination as being among the clearest matters for students of religious knowledge and followers of Hadith tradition (ahl al-athar) .
- Contextualizing Classical Statements on Takfir: The treatise addresses citations from Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn al-Qayyim regarding the restriction of excommunication prior to the establishment of proof (qiyam al-hujja). The authors argue that such restrictions apply exclusively to subtle, obscure matters where evidence is not immediately apparent, as well as to disputed questions among the community (masa'il al-niza'), rather than clear acts of major polytheism (al-shirk al-akbar)—such as supplicating to the righteous, seeking deliverance (istighatha) from them, or turning to them in crises .
- Ruling on Contemporary Ibadis: The authors address the contemporary Ibadi groups of their era, asserting that their practices aligned with tomb-worship and beliefs entailing disbelief, thereby declaring prayer invalid behind anyone who does not consider them outside Islam or doubts their status .
Transmission and Editions
The treatise has been preserved and referenced within collections of Najdi responsa, including Abd al-Rahman ibn Qasim's compendium al-Durar al-Saniyya fi al-Ajwiba al-Najdiyya . It was also published and edited as a distinct tract by Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd Allah al-Zir Al Hamad .
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