Mabahith al-Aqida fi Surat al-Zumar
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- Maktabat al-Rushd
Mabahith al-Aqida fi Surat al-Zumar (Doctrinal Topics in Surah al-Zumar) is an Islamic theological study by Nasir bin Ali Aid Hasan al-Shaykh, examining theological and creedal doctrines derived from Surat al-Zumar.
Background and Purpose
The work was originally composed as an academic master's thesis. Al-Shaykh selected Surat al-Zumar due to its comprehensive coverage of Islamic theological issues as a Meccan surah. The surah addresses the three categories of monotheism—the names and attributes of God (tawhid al-asma wa-l-sifat), divinity and worship (tawhid al-uluhiyyah), and lordship (tawhid al-rububiyyah)—while detailing the refutation and nullifying nature of polytheism (shirk). It also encompasses the broader articles of faith, including belief in the angels, divine scriptures, prophets and messengers, divine decree (qadar), and the Last Day.
Methodology
Al-Shaykh adopted an analytical thematic approach based on the following principles:
- Extracting all creedal topics contained in Surat al-Zumar, grouping relevant verses under specific topical headings, and clarifying their doctrinal indications through the commentaries of early scholars (al-salaf), classical and later exegetes, and hadith commentators.
- Repeating verses under multiple headings whenever a single verse addresses more than one doctrinal question.
- Presenting the orthodox position on each doctrinal question alongside contrary views and their refutations.
- Ordering subjects according to the six pillars of faith outlined in the Hadith of Gabriel narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab, placing the pillar of divine decree before the Last Day so that the eschatological themes serve as the conclusion of the study.
- Providing full citations with volume and page numbers, attributing hadiths to primary sources, evaluating the authenticity of narrations outside the two Sahih collections, including biographical notices for cited authorities, and defining uncommon terms.
Structure and Contents
The book consists of an introduction, three main parts (abwab), a conclusion summarizing the primary findings, and three indexes covering biographical entries, bibliography, and topics.
- Part One: The Surah's Indication of Faith in Allah (Dalatat al-Surah ala al-Iman bi-Llah Ta'ala): Contains four chapters. The first chapter covers Tawhid al-Asma wa-l-Sifat across thirteen sections, discussing divine elevation (al-uluww wa-l-fawqiyyah), the uncreated nature of the Qur'an, divine might, wisdom, transcendence above having offspring, oneness, mercy, wealth/self-sufficiency, pleasure, knowledge, the name al-Wakil, and the attribute of the Two Hands. The second chapter examines Tawhid al-Ibadah (the monotheism of worship) over thirteen sections, addressing sincerity, acts of worship such as supplication, fear, hope, repentance (inabah), and reliance (tawakkul), as well as the rejection of false deities (taghut) and the types of intercession. The third chapter addresses Tawhid al-Rububiyyah across four sections, and the fourth chapter covers polytheism (al-shirk) across six sections.
- Part Two: The Surah's Indication of Faith in the Angels, Revealed Scriptures, Messengers, and Divine Decree: Divided into four chapters covering the nature and duties of angels, belief in past scriptures and the Qur'an, prophethood and the mission of messengers, and the definitions, levels, and disputes surrounding divine decree (qadar).
- Part Three: The Surah's Indication of Faith in the Last Day: Divided into three chapters covering the events preceding final entry into the afterlife (the blowing of the trumpet, resurrection, the gathering, and the reckoning), the descriptions and eternity of Hellfire, and the characteristics, gates, chambers, and eternity of Paradise, concluding with the Divine Throne.
Publication
The work was published in Riyadh by Maktabat al-Rushd, with its first edition appearing in 1415 AH / 1995 CE.
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