Mawaqif al-Ulama Abr al-Usur fi al-Dawa ila Allah Taala
- Author died
- 1440 AH
- Editions
- Maṭba'at Safīr
Mawaqif al-Ulama Abr al-Usur fi al-Dawa ila Allah Taala (Stances of the Scholars Across the Ages in Calling to God Almighty) is a treatise by the Saudi scholar Saeed bin Wahf al-Qahtani (d. 1440 AH / 2018 CE) focusing on the wisdom and methods demonstrated by notable Islamic scholars in religious propagation (dawah) across history.
Background and Purpose
The treatise was completed on Thursday morning, 25 Safar 1425 AH (15 April 2004 CE). In the introduction and preamble, al-Qahtani explains that following the passing of the early virtuous generations, religious innovations, superstitions, and spiritual decline emerged across successive eras. Citing prophetic traditions concerning the continuous preservation of Islam and the divine dispatch of renewers (mujaddidun) at the head of every century, the author compiled the work to illustrate how leading scholars combined religious knowledge, wisdom, and courageous advocacy to guide their communities and rulers back to orthodox Islamic teachings.
Structure and Content
The treatise is organized into a preamble and four main chapters, each analyzing the historical stances of a specific scholar:
Mundhir ibn Sa'id al-Balluti
The first chapter examines Mundhir ibn Sa'id al-Balluti (265–355 AH), the chief judge of al-Andalus. The author highlights his admonition of Caliph Abd al-Rahman al-Nasir concerning the extravagant construction and ornamentation of the palace of Madinat al-Zahra, which moved the Caliph to tears and prompted him to remove its gold and jewel adornments. It also recounts his delivery of a sermon during a severe drought that stirred the congregation to repentance, culminating in the descent of rain.
Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam
The second chapter covers Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam (577/578–660 AH), known as the "Sultan of Scholars." It highlights his eradication of innovative prayers such as salat al-ragha'ib, his ruling that Mamluk princes be sold and their value remitted to the public treasury, and his counsel requiring the ruler and commanders to divest themselves of luxury before levying taxes to fund the army against the Mongols. It also details his public rebuke of Sultan al-Salih Ayyub of Egypt on Eid regarding the sale of wine.
Ibn Taymiyyah
The third chapter addresses Ibn Taymiyyah (661–728 AH) amid the crises of political fragmentation, the Crusades, Mongol invasions, and theological disputes. The author details his methods of revival: prioritizing knowledge and teaching disciples, confronting the Mongol commander Ghazan at al-Nabk in 699 AH to secure protection and release Muslim and non-Muslim captives, participating directly in the Battle of Shaqhab in 702 AH, conducting doctrinal debates on al-Aqida al-Wasitiyya and against the Rifa'iyya order in 705 AH, preaching to fellow prisoners in Cairo, Alexandria, and Damascus, and writing with charcoal when deprived of writing materials until his death in the Damascus Citadel.
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab
The fourth chapter details the revivalist effort of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1115–1206 AH) in Najd. It outlines the spread of tomb worship, divination, and saint veneration across the region prior to his mission, followed by his gradual reform steps: teaching monotheism (tawhid), preaching in Huraymila and al-Uyayna, establishing an alliance with Muhammad ibn Saud in Diriyah in 1158 AH, educating students using texts such as Kitab al-Tawhid and summarizing fundamental creedal principles into accessible maxims, corresponding extensively with scholars and governors across the Islamic world, and engaging in military defense after encountering armed opposition and condemnation.
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