Qat al-Alaq lil-Tafakkur fi Ubudiyyat al-Khalaiq
- Author died
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- Editions
- Markaz Ta’sil ‘Ulum al-Tanzil lil-Buhuth al-‘Ilmiyyah wad-Dirasat al-Qur’aniyyah
Qat' al-'Ala'iq lil-Tafakkur fi 'Ubudiyyat al-Khala'iq (Severing Ties to Contemplate the Servitude of Creation) is a contemporary theological treatise authored by Arafa bin Tantawi that examines the theological concept of servitude (ibadah/ubudiyyah) and explores how all created beings submit to God .
Background and Publication
The work was authored by Arafa bin Tantawi, who served as Dean of the Faculty of Usul al-Din and Islamic Studies at Khatam al-Mursalin International University, Professor of Tafsir and Quranic Sciences for Graduate Studies at the Islamic University and Higher Institute of Imams and Preachers in Minnesota, and head of the Markaz Ta'sil 'Ulum al-Tanzil for Research and Quranic Studies .
The treatise was released in 1442 AH as the thirty-first publication in the series Mawsu'at Ta'sil 'Ulum al-Tanzil by Markaz Ta'sil 'Ulum al-Tanzil . It underwent peer review and was subsequently published in issue 74 of Majallat al-Buhuth al-Islamiyyah (also cited as Majallat al-Buhuth wa-al-Dirasat al-Shar'iyyah) in Rabi' al-Akhir 1443 AH under the supervision of editor-in-chief Abd al-Fattah Mahmud Idris .
Structure and Contents
The author structured the treatise into an introduction, four main chapters (fusul), a conclusion summarizing the primary findings and recommendations, and indexes .
- Chapter One: Definition of Servitude (Ta'rif al-'Ubudiyyah) — Explores the linguistic and legal definitions of servitude; distinguishes between universal subjugation under God's sovereignty ('ubudiyyat al-ghalaba wa-al-qahr) and voluntary, loving obedience ('ubudiyyat al-ikhtiyar wa-al-inqiyad wa-al-ta'ah wa-al-mahabbah); examines the conditions and reality of true servitude in the Quran; and discusses its foundational pairing with seeking divine assistance (al-isti'anah) .
- Chapter Two: Servitude of Humanity ('Ubudiyyat al-Bashar) — Details the servitude of the prophets and messengers, focusing on the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Arch-Prophets of Resolve (Ulu al-'Azm), and messengers generally, as well as the servitude of the Sahabah, the disciples of previous prophets, and general mankind .
- Chapter Three: Servitude of Angels and Jinn ('Ubudiyyat al-Mala'ikah wa-al-Jinn) — Examines the nature, creation, numbers, duties, and worship of angels, followed by the moral obligation and servitude of the jinn and the universality of the Prophet's ﷺ message to both mankind and jinn .
- Chapter Four: Servitude of Creation ('Ubudiyyat al-Ka'inat) — Addresses the inherent submission of all created entities to divine power, the glorification (tasbih) and prostration of the universe, and specific manifestations of worship observed in phenomena such as thunder, celestial and terrestrial realms, birds, ants, inanimate matter (such as mountains and stones), and food .
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