Mawaqif al-Tawaif min Tawhid al-Asma wa al-Sifat

Mawaqif al-Tawaif min Tawhid al-Asma wa al-Sifat (The Positions of the Sects regarding the Oneness of Divine Names and Attributes) is a contemporary theological treatise authored by Muhammad ibn Khalifa al-Tamimi, Associate Professor in the Department of Creed at the Islamic University of Madinah Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…. The book surveys and analyzes the doctrines of various Islamic and theological factions concerning the divine names and attributes of God Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.

Purpose and Scope

The author compiled the work to organize and clarify scattered theological issues concerning God's attributes and to delineate the differences that arose between various schools of thought, providing an accessible reference for researchers Mawaqif al-Tawaif min Taw…+1. The book focuses on establishing the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah as grounded in the Quran, the Sunnah, and the understanding of the early generations (al-Salaf al-Salih), while warning against philosophical and speculative trends that diverged into theological negation or anthropomorphism Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.

Structure and Contents

The work is organized into an introduction, three main chapters, and a conclusion Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1:

• Introduction: Outlines the significance of the subject and presents the study's research plan Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.
• Chapter One: Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah and their stance on the Tawhid of the Names and Attributes: Divided into two main sections Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1. The first section defines Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah and illustrates their moderation (wasatiyyah) Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1. The second section details their stance on divine names and attributes in general, followed by dedicated subsections on their approach to the divine names, their approach to the divine attributes, and the foundational rules and principles underlying their creed Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.
• Chapter Two: The Negationist Sects (al-Mu'attilah) and their stance: Divided into two sections Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1. The first defines the philosophers, their subgroups, and the varying degrees of their denial of the divine names and attributes Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1. The second section defines the scholastic theologians (Ahl al-Kalam), details their historical relationship with philosophical thought, and examines the doctrines of specific theological factions, namely the Jahmiyyah, the Mu'tazilah, the Kullabiyyah, the Ash'aris, and the Maturidis Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.
• Chapter Three: The Anthropomorphists (al-Mushabbihah) and their stance: Divided into two sections Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1. The first section examines those historically recognized for anthropomorphism, identifying the early Rafidah and extremist Sufis alongside their explicit doctrines Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1. The second section addresses those who were accused of or attributed to anthropomorphism, articulating the conceptual distinction between assimilation (tashbih) and corporealism (tajsim), and clarifying the actual meaning and nature of the positions attributed to them Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.
• Conclusion: Summarizes the theological moderation of Ahl al-Sunnah across these domains and underscores the soundness of their methodology in systematic doctrinal formulation and affirmation Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu….