Muataqad Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jamaa fi Asma Allah al-Husna
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- Aḍwā’ al-Salaf
Muataqad Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jamaa fi Asma Allah al-Husna (The Creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-al-Jama'ah Regarding the Most Beautiful Names of Allah) is a contemporary theological monograph authored by Dr. Muhammad ibn Khalifa al-Tamimi, dedicated to detailing the methodology and principles of Sunni theology concerning the Divine Names of God .
Background and Scope
The book is the second study in the author's multi-part academic series titled Dirasat fi Mabahith Tawhid al-Asma' wa-al-Sifat (Studies in the Topics of the Monotheism of Names and Attributes) . It follows the first introductory study on the general monotheism of the Divine Names and Attributes, preceding further planned studies addressing the Divine Attributes, hermeneutical rules of texts, and critiques of theological nullification (ta'til) and anthropomorphism (tashbih) . The author compiled and systematized scattered discussions from classical works to provide a detailed treatment of Sunni doctrine regarding the Divine Names .
Structure and Method
The work comprises an introduction, a preliminary chapter, two main chapters subdivided into several sections, and a conclusion :
- Preliminary Section (al-Tamhid): Surveys non-Sunni doctrines regarding the Divine Names, presenting four dissenting positions—such as the complete denial of names associated with Jahm ibn Safwan, the Qaramita, and philosophers—alongside their various approaches to negation, contrasting them with the position of Ahl al-Sunnah .
- Chapter One (Fi Thubut al-Asma' wa-Ta'yiniha): Examines the textual establishment and identification of the Divine Names . It outlines the criteria (dawabit) for establishing a Name (requiring explicit textual evidence and inherent signification of praise) , addresses whether the Names are finite or unconfined in number , analyzes scholars' methodological approaches in enumerating them, and surveys scholarly compilations of the Names, including explicitly mentioned, derived, annexed (mudafah), and paired (muzdawajah) names .
- Chapter Two (Ahkam al-Asma' al-Husna): Discusses the core theological rulings governing the Names, including the debate over whether the Name is distinct from the Named (al-ism wa-al-musamma) and the uncreated nature of God's Names , the principle that all Divine Names are intrinsically most beautiful (husna) , the doctrine that they function simultaneously as proper designations and descriptive attributes (a'lam wa-awsaf) in contrast to Mu'tazilite views , and the concept, levels, and fruits of enumerating (ihsa') the Divine Names .
- Conclusion (al-Khatimah): Addresses the prohibition of theological deviation or desecration (ilhad) concerning the Divine Names .
Publication
The book has been printed in several editions, including a first edition published by Dar al-Salam and Matba'at al-Hariri in Cairo , as well as an edition published by Dar Ilaf al-Dawliyyah in Kuwait in 1417 AH (1996/1997 CE) .
Answer updated