Sharh al-Wasiyya al-Kubra
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- Sharh al-Wasiyya al-Kubra
Sharh al-Wasiyya al-Kubra (Explanation of the Major Testament) is a contemporary commentary by the Saudi scholar Yusuf al-Ghafis on al-Wasiyya al-Kubra (also known as al-Risala al-Adawiyya), an epistolary treatise composed by Ibn Taymiyya (d. 728 AH / 1328 CE) addressing religious devotion, creed, and Sufism .
Background and Purpose
The base text was originally addressed by Ibn Taymiyya to the followers of the mystic Adi ibn Musafir al-Umawi (the Adawiyya), commending their adherence to Islam and the Sunnah while cautioning them against theological distortions and excess in practice . In his explanation, al-Ghafis examines Ibn Taymiyya’s rhetorical and didactic strategy (husn al-ta'atti), highlighting how Ibn Taymiyya practiced fairness with those holding divergent views by acknowledging their points of conformity with orthodoxy before rectifying aberrant trends . Al-Ghafis explains that while early figures among them—such as Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Ahmad al-Hakkari and Adi ibn Musafir—were virtuous followers of the Sunnah, subsequent generations drifted into severe innovations, prompting Ibn Taymiyya's counsel to steer them back to normative teachings .
Themes and Contents
The commentary covers fundamental issues of creed, behavioral conduct (suluk), and the theological classification of historical sects:
- Faith and Deeds (al-Iman wa-l-Amal): Al-Ghafis identifies the relationship between conduct and faith as the first major theological controversy among Muslims . He contrasts the positions of the Kharijites and Mu'tazilites, who exaggerated the weight of deeds to the extent of excommunicating those who abandon obligatory acts, with the Murji'ites, who severed deeds from the definition of faith . He articulates the position of Ahl al-Sunna, who maintain that faith consists of both statement and action, while critiquing Sufi misapplications of practical devotion that diverge from the Quran and Sunnah .
- Moderation (al-Wasatiyya): The commentary details Islamic moderation as embodied by Ahl al-Sunna between excessive rigor and laxity . Al-Ghafis explains that this middle ground rests upon three pillars: sound knowledge (asl al-ilm), righteous action (asl al-amal), and discernment between fundamentals and subsidiary issues (al-usul wa-l-furu') as well as between clear and ambiguous texts (al-muhkam wa-l-mutashabih) .
- Typology of Sufism: Al-Ghafis outlines the classifications of Sufism recorded by scholars, dividing it into genuine spiritual realities (Sufiyyat al-haqa'iq), formal conventions (Sufiyyat al-rasm), and material provision (Sufiyyat al-arziq) . In doctrinal terms, he categorizes them according to their orientation into Sufis aligned with the traditionists (Ahl al-Hadith), speculative theologians (al-mutakallimun), and philosophical Sufis (al-mutafalsifa) .
- Terminology and Sectarian Appellations: The work notes Ibn Taymiyya's measured accommodation in utilizing customary Sufi terminology—such as unveilings (mukashafat) and spiritual directives (tasarrufat)—in a sound, restricted sense to communicate effectively with his audience . Al-Ghafis stresses the importance of adhering to designations established by the Quran—such as Islam, Iman, siddiq, shahid, salih, and wali—rather than newly invented sectarian labels .
- Historical Conflicts: The commentary addresses early historical conflicts, distinguishing between consensual battles fought against apostates under Abu Bakr and against Kharijites under Ali ibn Abi Talib, and the internal civil wars among the Companions, which are understood through the framework of independent legal reasoning (ijtihad), wherein the correct party receives two rewards and the mistaken party receives one .
Answer updated