Sharh Kitab al-Iman - Yusuf al-Ghufays
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- Sharh Kitab al-Iman - Yusuf al-Ghufays
Sharh Kitab al-Iman (Commentary on the Book of Faith) is a theological commentary by contemporary Saudi scholar Yusuf al-Ghufays on the classical treatise Kitab al-Iman by Abu Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam (d. 224 AH / 838 CE), explaining the Sunni doctrine of faith (iman) and examining historical debates regarding its definition and reality.
Background and Purpose
In his commentary, al-Ghufays highlights the importance of Abu Ubayd's original text, noting that it addresses one of the fundamental doctrines of religion—a topic that caused confusion not only among speculative theologians and heterodox groups, but also among certain earlier and later Sunni scholars. He explains that the question of faith was the earliest doctrinal issue over which theological division arose among Muslims.
Al-Ghufays classifies classical writings titled Kitab al-Iman into two main approaches:
- Works that use the title to encompass the broad principles of Islamic creed as a whole—such as divine attributes, predestination, intercession, and major sins—exemplified by the Kitab al-Iman in Sahih Muslim.
- Specialized works dedicated strictly to the specific definition and nature of faith, its increase and decrease, the distinction between faith (iman) and submission (islam), and the issue of exception in faith (al-istithna'), which is the specific focus of Abu Ubayd's treatise.
Core Themes and Methodology
The commentary systematically explains Abu Ubayd's text chapter by chapter, covering key theological topics:
- Definition of Faith: Al-Ghufays articulates the Sunni creed that faith consists of verbal profession with the tongue, internal belief of the heart, and physical action through bodily deeds.
- Fluctuation of Faith: He affirms the consensus (ijma') that faith increases through obedience and decreases through disobedience, noting that this variation applies to both internal and external deeds. He explains that scriptural duties were gradually added to the name of faith as legislation was revealed, demonstrating that faith is variable and not a static single entity.
- Refutation of Opposing Groups: The work analyzes various factions of the Murji'ah, including the juristic Murji'ah (Murji'at al-Fuqaha'), who restricted faith to internal affirmation and verbal profession without outward deeds, and later groups associated with figures like Muhammad ibn Karram.
- Impact of Sins: In explaining the chapter on departure from faith through disobedience, al-Ghufays examines the four categories of severe phrasing (taghlidh) found in prophetic traditions regarding grave sins. He explains that the textual negation of faith from a sinner signifies the negation of complete faith rather than the absolute invalidation of its essential foundation.
- Stance Toward Innovators: The commentary contextualizes the harsh condemnations made by early traditionalists (al-Salaf) against innovators, explaining that their intent was to censure doctrinal errors and warn against them rather than pass definitive judgments on individuals' ultimate fates in the hereafter.
Answer updated