Jala al-Aynayn fi Muhakamat al-Ahmadayn
- Author died
- 1317 AH
- Editions
- Matba'at al-Madani
Jala al-Aynayn fi Muhakamat al-Ahmadayn (Clearing of the Two Eyes in Adjudicating Between the Two Ahmads) is a theological treatise by the Iraqi scholar Abu al-Barakat Nu'man Khayr al-Din al-Alusi (1252–1317 AH / 1836–1899 CE) , written to examine and arbitrate the disputes and accusations raised by Ibn Hajar al-Haytami against Ibn Taymiyyah .
Composition and Purpose
The author completed the manuscript in his residence in Rabi' al-Thani 1297 AH (March–April 1880 CE) . The immediate catalyst for the work was a fatwa issued by Ibn Hajar al-Haytami in his collection al-Fatawa al-Hadithiyyah, in which al-Haytami characterized Ibn Taymiyyah as a heretical innovator and enumerated various theological and legal positions attributed to him as grounds for censure . Al-Alusi set out to adjudicate between "the two Ahmads"—Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah and Ahmad ibn Hajar al-Haytami—by systematically investigating whether the criticized positions were accurately transmitted from Ibn Taymiyyah, and whether his actual stances conformed to early Islamic scholarship .
Content and Method
The work surveys disputed theological and jurisprudence matters, including the divine attributes, intercession (istighathah), journeying to visit graves (shadd al-rihal), and questions of legal reasoning . Al-Alusi argues that al-Haytami acted hastily and relied on unverified claims when declaring Ibn Taymiyyah an innovator, urging that critics should examine Ibn Taymiyyah's original writings directly . In doing so, al-Alusi also provides biographical coverage of al-Haytami and acknowledges his scholarly standing, while separating verified positions held by Ibn Taymiyyah from false claims fabricated against him . The book incorporates earlier treatises and textual extracts on creed and legal theory, including excerpts from Ibn Taymiyyah's writings .
Reception and Critique
The treatise became a prominent reference in modern debates surrounding Ibn Taymiyyah's legacy, eliciting both strong endorsement and vocal opposition . The Lebanese scholar Yusuf al-Nabhani heavily criticized the book, asserting that al-Alusi showed intense bias in favor of Ibn Taymiyyah and against al-Haytami, Taqi al-Din al-Subki, and Taj al-Din al-Subki, and al-Nabhani cautioned students and the public against reading it . In defense of the work, the author's nephew, Mahmud Shukri al-Alusi, responded to al-Nabhani in his rebuttal Ghayat al-Amani fi al-Radd 'ala al-Nabhani, defending Nu'man al-Alusi's impartiality and methodology .
The work was published in Egypt in a single volume by Matba'at al-Madani in Cairo .
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