Sharh Kitab al-Sunnah lil-Barbahari - al-Rajihi
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- Sharh Kitab al-Sunnah lil-Barbahari - al-Rajihi
Sharh Kitab al-Sunnah lil-Barbahari (Commentary on the Book of the Sunnah of al-Barbahari) is a theological work by Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd Allah al-Rajihi commenting on the classical creedal treatise Sharh al-Sunnah by the Hanbali scholar Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Khalaf al-Barbahari (d. 329 AH) .
Background and Methodology
The work originated as instructional lessons delivered by al-Rajihi explaining the text of al-Barbahari's treatise clause by clause . In the introduction, al-Rajihi notes that the term Sunnah in the early usage of the scholars encompasses all revelation brought by the Prophet ﷺ besides the Quran, embracing both creed (iʿtiqad) and legal rulings (fiqh) . His stated approach is to address every passage of the treatise concisely to clarify its intended meaning without excessive prolongation . Each lesson concludes with a question-and-answer session answering queries on theological, practical, and contemporary issues connected to the topics discussed .
Contents and Core Themes
The commentary details the traditional doctrines of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jama'ah as presented in the root text, covering:
- Definition of Islam and the Sunnah: Affirming that Islam and the Sunnah are intrinsically linked, and highlighting the obligation to adhere to the united community (jamaʿah) and avoid religious innovation (bidʿah) .
- Divine Names and Attributes: Establishing the attributes of God according to the textual sources without figurative interpretation (taʾwil), negation (taʿtil), inquiring into the modality (takyif), or likening Him to creation (tamthil), alongside affirming that the Quran is the uncreated speech of God .
- Eschatology and the Unseen: Affirming the believers' vision of God on the Day of Resurrection, the questioning by Munkar and Nakir, the punishment and bliss of the grave, the Prophet's Basin (al-hawd), intercession (al-shafaʿah), the Path (al-sirat), the descent of Jesus (Isa), the emergence of the Antichrist (al-Dajjal), and the release of Gog and Magog (Yajuj and Majuj) .
- Leadership and Governance: The obligation to establish an imam, obedience to Muslim authorities in what is good, the prohibition of rebelling against them unless they commit manifest disbelief, and performing congregational and Friday prayers behind both righteous and sinful rulers .
- Sects and Theological Critique: Refutations of various doctrinal groups, specifically the Jahmiyyah, the Mutazilah, the Khawarij, and the Rawafid, alongside affirming the prohibition of temporary marriage (nikah al-mutʿah) and defending the companions and family of the Prophet ﷺ .
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