Haqiqat al-Mathal al-Ala wa Atharuhu
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- Dar Ibn al-Jawzi lil-Nashr wa-al-Tawzi'
Haqiqat al-Mathal al-Ala wa Atharuhu (The Reality of the Supreme Attribute and Its Effects) is a contemporary theological treatise written by Dr. Isa ibn Abd Allah al-Saadi, an associate professor of Islamic creed at Taif University, and published by Dar Ibn al-Jawzi . The book analyzes the Quranic concept of al-mathal al-ala (the supreme attribute or description), grounded in the Quranic declaration وَلِلَّهِ الْمَثَلُ الْأَعْلَى وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ("And to Allah belongs the highest attribute; and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise", Surah al-Nahl: 60), expounding its doctrinal meanings and implications for divine affirmation and transcendence (tanzih) according to early Sunni scholars (the Salaf) .
Purpose and Methodology
The work aims to elucidate early Sunni interpretations of al-mathal al-ala, particularly regarding divine transcendence (tanzih), in contrast to scholastic theologians (al-mutakallimun) who based transcendence on cosmological proofs regarding accidents and bodies (dalil al-ajsam), which the author critiques as leading to methodological inconsistency . The book adheres to standard Islamic research methodology by citing primary sources and systematically categorizing the statements of early scholars . It addresses two interrelated domains: the doctrinal reality (haqiqah) of the supreme attribute, and its theological and devotional manifestations (athar) .
Structure and Contents
The work is organized into two main studies:
Part One: The Reality of al-Mathal al-Ala
The first part examines the definition and doctrinal scope of the term and is structured into two main chapters (mabhath) and a conclusion :
- Chapter One (Meaning of al-Mathal al-Ala): Discusses the linguistic usages of al-mathal—as peer/equal (al-nazir), illustrative parable (al-mathal al-madrub), and attribute/description (al-sifah) . It reviews classical exegetical views, such as those of Abd Allah ibn Abbas, who interpreted it as the highest attribute (al-sifah al-ulya) or the testimony of faith (la ilaha illa Allah), and synthesizes these interpretations under the principle of God's absolute uniqueness in supreme perfection .
- Chapter Two (Doctrinal Implications): Details six specific theological points: the correlation between perfection and existential possibility; the indication of absolute perfection; transcendence above relative deficiency; transcendence above pure negative theological definitions (al-salb al-mahd); transcendence above absolute deficiencies; and transcendence above having any equal or peer .
Part Two: The Effects and Manifestations of al-Mathal al-Ala
The second part addresses the practical and evidential consequences of knowing God's supreme attribute, organized into an introduction (tamhid), two sections (matlab), and a conclusion :
- Section One (Knowledge and Worship of God): Examines the innate disposition (fitrah) toward knowing God; rational and textual proofs for God's existence and oneness; the evidentiary role of al-mathal al-ala; the spiritual and devotional fruits (al-thamarat al-khassah) that motivate heart actions and bodily obedience; and a critique of divine divestment (ta'til) .
- Section Two (The A Fortiori Analogy): Clarifies the concept of analogy (qiyas); the impermissibility of applying analogies of equality (qiyas al-mumathalah) between the Creator and creation; and the legitimate application of the a fortiori analogy (qiyas al-awla), whereby every attribute of perfection found in creation is even more appropriately attributed to the Creator, free of any deficiency .
The conclusions summarize that linguistic usages of mathal are literal across all three senses, that the varied exegetical reports from early authorities are complementary rather than contradictory, and that realizing God's supreme attribute inherently necessitates dedicating all forms of worship solely to Him .
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