Sharh Thalathat al-Usul lil-Uthaymin

Sharh Thalathat al-Usul (Explanation of the Three Fundamentals) is a commentary by Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin (1347–1421 AH / 1929–2001 CE) on the creedal treatise Thalathat al-Usul wa-Adillatuha by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1115–1206 AH) Sharh Thalathat al-Usul l…+1.

Background and Content

The base text, Thalathat al-Usul, outlines the fundamental tenets of Islamic theology centered on the three questions asked of a deceased person in the grave: knowledge of the Lord, knowledge of the religion of Islam with textual proofs, and knowledge of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Thalathat al-Usul wa Shur…+1.

The commentary begins by elucidating the introductory sections of the original epistle, which address:

• The Four Matters: The obligation of acquiring knowledge (knowing Allah, His Prophet, and the religion of Islam through textual proofs), acting upon it, calling others to it, and exercising patience in the face of harm encountered in the process, grounded in the exegesis of Surah al-Asr Sharh Thalathat al-Usul l…+1.
• The Three Principles: The obligations incumbent on every believer regarding the divine purpose of creation and provision, the rejection of polytheism in worship, and allegiance and disavowal (al-wala' wa-l-bara') Sharh Thalathat al-Usul l…+1.
• The Three Fundamentals: The detailed exposition of knowing Allah through His signs and creation, understanding the levels of Islam (Islam, Iman, and Ihsan) with their textual evidences, and recognizing the life, mission, and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ al-Dalil ila al-Mutun al-…+1.

In his explanation, Ibn Uthaymin unpacks the linguistic and legal definitions of key theological concepts, elucidates scriptural proofs from the Quran and the Sunnah, and expands upon the theological implications of each topic for daily belief and practice Sharh Thalathat al-Usul l…+1.

Publication and Reception

The commentary was prepared and transcribed by Fahd ibn Nasir ibn Ibrahim al-Sulayman and published in a single volume by Dar al-Thurayya in Riyadh in 1414 AH (1994 CE), with subsequent reprintings including editions in 1420 AH and 1424 AH Ihtisab al-Shaykh Muhamma…+1. It is counted among the prominent published commentaries on Thalathat al-Usul, alongside the gloss by Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn Qasim and the commentary by Abd Allah ibn Salih al-Fawzan Taqrib al-Wusul ila Thala…+1.