Sharh Kitab al-Iman al-Awsat li-Ibn Taymiyya - al-Rajihi
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- Sharh Kitab al-Iman al-Awsat li-Ibn Taymiyya - al-Rajihi
Sharh Kitab al-Iman al-Awsat li-Ibn Taymiyya is a theological commentary by the Saudi scholar Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd Allah al-Rajihi on Ibn Taymiyya's treatise on faith, Kitab al-Iman al-Awsat. The work elucidates the meanings of Islam, iman (faith), and ihsan (spiritual excellence) based on the well-known Hadith of Gabriel.
Background and Scope
The base text, Kitab al-Iman al-Awsat (also referred to as Kitab al-Iman al-Saghir or Sharh Hadith Jibril), was composed by Ibn Taymiyya (d. 728 AH / 1328 CE) to analyze the various scholarly viewpoints regarding the concepts of Islam and iman, evaluate their arguments, and articulate the orthodox Sunni position. Al-Rajihi notes that the treatise serves effectively as an abridgment of Ibn Taymiyya's larger work, Kitab al-Iman al-Kabir, covering the primary theological inquiries of the larger book in a more concise form.
Core Themes and Methodology
In his commentary, al-Rajihi walks through Ibn Taymiyya's textual analysis of the Hadith of Gabriel, emphasizing the fundamental principles established in the text:
- The Relationship Between Islam and Iman: Al-Rajihi clarifies the rule affirmed throughout the book that the definitions of Islam and iman depend on whether they are mentioned together or separately. When mentioned together (al-iqtiran), Islam refers to outward physical deeds—such as the two testimonies of faith, prayer, zakat, fasting, and pilgrimage—while iman refers to inward beliefs and convictions in the heart, comprising belief in God, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree. When mentioned in isolation (al-ifrad), either term encompasses both inward beliefs and outward actions.
- The Levels of Religion: The commentary highlights that religion is structured into three ascending levels: Islam, iman, and ihsan, as designated by the Prophet when concluding the narration: هذا جبريل أتاكم يعلمكم دينكم ("This was Gabriel who came to teach you your religion").
- Societal Categories in the Prophetic Era: Al-Rajihi outlines the foundational historical and textual premises presented by Ibn Taymiyya, including the division of people in Medina after the Hijra into three groups: those who were believers inwardly and outwardly, those who were disbelievers inwardly and outwardly, and hypocrites who were Muslims outwardly but disbelievers inwardly.
- Textual Nuances: The work examines scriptural texts where an individual is affirmed as having Islam while being denied the full status of iman, including the Quranic verse: قَالَتِ الْأَعْرَابُ آمَنَّا قُلْ لَمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَكِنْ قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَا ("The bedouins say, 'We have believed.' Say, 'You have not believed; but say [instead], We have submitted'") [Al-Hujurat: 14], as well as the incident where Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas described a person as a believer and the Prophet corrected him by stating: أو مسلمًا ("Or a Muslim").
Answer updated