Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali wa Atharuhu fi Tawdih Aqidat al-Salaf
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Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali wa Atharuhu fi Tawdih Aqidat al-Salaf (Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali and His Impact on Clarifying the Creed of the Salaf) is an academic doctrinal study authored by Abd Allah bin Sulayman al-Ghufayli, examining the theological views and contributions of the Hanbali scholar Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (736–795 AH) .
Background and Purpose
The work originated as a doctoral dissertation submitted to the Department of Creed at the Islamic University of Madinah . Al-Ghufayli selected the topic because no specialized academic study had previously been devoted to Ibn Rajab's doctrinal positions, aiming to demonstrate Ibn Rajab's adherence to the theology of early Sunni traditionalists (Ahl al-Hadith) and to extract his theological statements dispersed across his various writings . The author also sought to resolve biographical issues, confirming Ibn Rajab's birth year as 736 AH, compiling comprehensive inventories of his teachers and students, and cataloging his authentic writings while distinguishing works falsely attributed to him .
Contents and Structure
The book is arranged into a biographical section and doctrinal thematic sections:
- Part One: Ibn Rajab's Life and Scholarly Heritage (Hayat Ibn Rajab wa Atharuhu al-Ilmiyyah): Covers the political, social, and intellectual setting of the 8th century AH, Ibn Rajab's lineage, upbringing, moral traits, stance on Sufism, death, educational travels, teachers, students, judicial and teaching posts, and a catalog of his manuscripts and printed publications .
- Part Two: Ibn Rajab's Clarification of Tawhid and Its Nullifiers (Atharuhu fi Tawdih Aqidat al-Salaf fi al-Tawhid wa Anwa'ihi wa Nawaqidih): Examines the definitions and divisions of tawhid, including Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (divine Lordship) and its rational and scriptural proofs; Tawhid al-Asma' wa al-Sifat (divine Names and Attributes), analyzing specific attributes treated in Ibn Rajab's works and his critique of speculative theology (kalam) and theological innovators; Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (divine Worship), explicating the meaning, virtues, and conditions of the testimony of faith; and the nullifiers of tawhid, such as religious innovations (bida'), extremism (ghuluww), astrology, superstition, and building over graves .
- Part Three: Issues of Faith (Mabahith al-Iman): Details Ibn Rajab's exposition of the definition of iman in language and Islamic law, its increase and decrease, and the conceptual relationship between iman and islam .
Reception and Publication
The study received forewords and commendations from contemporary Saudi scholars. Salih bin Fawzan al-Fawzan praised the book as a thorough presentation of Ibn Rajab's standing and doctrinal contributions, while Hammad bin Muhammad al-Ansari commended it as the first study dedicated to Ibn Rajab's creed, noting its comprehensive survey of both manuscript and printed treatises . The dissertation was reviewed by faculty members Ahmad bin Sa'd al-Ghamdi and Muhammad bin Hammud al-Wa'ili, and was published in two volumes by Dar al-Masir in Riyadh in 1418 AH / 1998 CE .
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