Ibn Uthaymin
Sharh al-Aqida al-Wasitiyya - al-Uthaymin
- Author died
- 1421 AH
- Editions
- Dār Ibn al-Jawzī lil-Nashr wa-al-Tawzīʻ
Sharh al-Aqida al-Wasitiyya (Commentary on the Wasiti Creed) is a theological commentary by the Saudi scholar Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin (d. 1421 AH / 2001 CE) on the creedal treatise al-Aqida al-Wasitiyya by Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728 AH / 1328 CE) .
Composition and Publication
The commentary originated as oral lectures delivered by al-Uthaymin to students in the mosque . Students recorded the lessons on audio cassettes and transcribed them into text . An early version was published by Maktabat Tabariyya with footnotes and hadith verification by Abu Muhammad Ashraf ibn Abd al-Maqsud . Recognizing that transcripts of spoken lessons contained variations and required editing, al-Uthaymin reviewed the transcript systematically, removing redundant material and adding essential explanations; he completed this revision on 27 Rabi al-Awwal 1415 AH .
On 29 Dhu al-Hijjah 1415 AH, al-Uthaymin authorized Dar Ibn al-Jawzi to publish the work on the condition that they ensure accurate proofreading and not retain exclusive copyright . That edition was published in two volumes under the editorial care of Sa'd ibn Fawwaz al-Sumayl . Al-Uthaymin also produced a separate, concise set of study notes on the treatise for secondary institutes, titled Ta'liqat ala al-Aqida al-Wasitiyya (Notes on al-Aqida al-Wasitiyya) .
Structure and Content
The work begins with an introductory overview addressing the circumstances behind Ibn Taymiyyah's composition of al-Aqida al-Wasitiyya—which was written following a request from a judge from Wasit who raised concerns about divergent views regarding divine names and attributes—as well as the six pillars of faith and the principles of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-al-Jama'ah regarding the attributes of God .
Al-Uthaymin follows the thematic sequence of the base text across multiple chapters:
- Quranic Verses and Hadiths of Attributes: Detailed exposition of the scriptural texts concerning the divine attributes (ayat al-sifat and ahadith al-sifat) .
- Pillars of Faith: Coverage of belief in God, His angels, His revealed scriptures, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine predestination (qadar) .
- Principles and Conduct of Ahl al-Sunnah: Affirmation that faith comprises both speech and action (qawl wa-amal), the preservation of sound hearts and speech regarding the Prophet's Companions, the definition and characteristics of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-al-Jama'ah, and the complementary moral virtues and upright conduct associated with their doctrine .
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