Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiya

Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiya (Commentary on the Tahawite Creed) is a classical theological commentary written by the Hanafi jurist and theologian Ibn Abi al-Izz (731–792 AH / 1331–1390 CE) on the renowned creedal treatise al-Aqida al-Tahawiya by Abu Ja'far al-Tahawi (d. 321 AH / 933 CE) Durus fi al-Aqida - al-Ra…+1. It serves as an extensive exposition of Sunni theology (usul al-din) framed according to the creedal methodology of the early generations (salaf) and the traditionists (ahl al-hadith) Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1.

Background and Purpose

The base text, al-Aqida al-Tahawiya, was compiled by al-Tahawi to summarize the core tenets of belief transmitted from Abu Hanifa and his companions Abu Yusuf and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Shaybani Majmu Fatawa wa Maqalat M…+1. Prior to Ibn Abi al-Izz, several scholars had authored commentaries on the work—including Isma'il ibn Ibrahim al-Shaybani (d. 629 AH), Mahmud ibn Ahmad al-Qunawi (d. 771 AH), and Akmal al-Din al-Babarti (d. 786 AH)—largely explaining it through the lenses of dialectical theology (kalam), notably Ash'arism and Maturidism al-Dalil ila al-Mutun al-…+1.

Ibn Abi al-Izz composed his commentary specifically to provide an alternative reading aligned with the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah and the salaf, noting in his preface that previous commentators had relied heavily on disapproved dialectical theology (kalam) and interpreted al-Tahawi's statements accordingly Durus fi al-Aqida - al-Ra…+1. He underscored that the knowledge of the fundamentals of religion is the noblest of disciplines, describing it as "the greatest understanding" (al-fiqh al-akbar) in contrast to subsidiary jurisprudence (fiqh al-furu'), invoking Abu Hanifa's designated terminology Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1.

Methodology and Sources

The commentary is structured around textual analysis, substantiating doctrinal propositions with direct scriptural evidence from the Quran and prophetic hadiths Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…. A defining characteristic of the work is its substantial drawing upon the writings and arguments of Ibn Taymiyya and his disciple Ibn al-Qayyim, incorporating extended passages and concepts from their theological treatises, frequently without explicit citation Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1. Ibn Abi al-Izz also cites his teacher Ibn Kathir across multiple passages in the work Durus fi al-Aqida - al-Ra…+1.

Where al-Tahawi employed terminology that carried ambiguity or leaned toward the phraseology of dialectical theologians—such as statements regarding divine transcendence, limits, boundaries, or predestined acquisition (kasb)—Ibn Abi al-Izz clarifies the meanings to harmonize them with traditionalist theology Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1.

Content and Scope

Following the order of al-Tahawi's treatise, the commentary addresses the major doctrines of Islamic creed, including:

• Divine Unity and Attributes: Establishing God's uniqueness and asserting His divine names and attributes without distortion (tahrif), negation (ta'til), or anthropomorphic depiction (tamthil) Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1.
• Prophethood and Revelation: The finality of the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ, the uncreated nature of the Quran as God's literal speech, and the beatific vision (ru'ya) of God in the afterlife Mawqi al-Islam Su'al wa J….
• Eschatology and the Unseen: Doctrinal affirmations regarding the Prophet's Basin (al-hawd), intercession (shafa'a), the Throne (al-arsh), the Footstool (al-kursi), the signs of the Hour, and the Day of Judgment Mawqi al-Islam Su'al wa J….
• Predestination (Qada wa Qadar): Affirming divine decree, God's encompassing knowledge, and human agency within divine will Mawqi al-Islam Su'al wa J….
• Faith (Iman): The definition and components of faith, where the author clarifies differences between the mainstream traditionalist position and the views associated with the juristic Murji'ah (murji'at al-fuqaha') found in al-Tahawi's wording Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1.
• The Companions and Moderation: The obligation of loving the Prophet's Companions and affirming the religion's intermediate nature between excessive extremism and laxity Mawqi al-Islam Su'al wa J….

Reception, Attribution, and Editions

Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiya achieved widespread prominence as the foremost reference work among Salafi scholars and educational institutions for teaching al-Tahawi's creed Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1.

Attribution Debate

Because several early manuscript copies omitted the author's explicit name, question marks were historically raised regarding its authorship, and later opponents of Salafi theology, such as Muhammad Zahid al-Kawthari, rejected the attribution of such a traditionalist commentary to a Hanafi scholar Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1. However, subsequent discoveries of ascribed manuscripts—such as the copy located in Tétouan, Morocco—and historical biographical evidence confirmed Ibn Abi al-Izz as its author Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1.

Notable Editions and Adaptations

• Mecca Edition (1349 AH): The earliest printed edition, prepared from a single manuscript by a committee chaired by Abd Allah ibn Hasan Al al-Shaykh Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy….
• Ahmad Shakir Edition: Edited with corrections and published in Cairo (1373 AH) and later reissued by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs (1418 AH) Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1.
• Al-Albani Edition: Published by al-Maktab al-Islami with hadith verification (takhrij) by Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani in collaboration with Zuhayr al-Shawish Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiy…+1.
• Al-Turki and Al-Arna'ut Edition: A critical edition prepared by Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Muhsin al-Turki and Shu'ayb al-Arna'ut, published by Mu'assasat al-Risala Durus lil-Shaykh Abd al-R…+1.
• Abridgments: The text has also been published in summarized forms, including Mukhtasar Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiya Nahw Thaqafa Islamiyya As….