Tasil Ilm al-Aqida - Abd al-Rahim al-Sulami
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- Tasil Ilm al-Aqida - Abd al-Rahim al-Sulami
Tasil Ilm al-Aqida (Grounding in the Science of Creed) is a pedagogical work on Islamic theology by the contemporary scholar Abd al-Rahim al-Sulami, designed to provide students with a foundational methodological basis in Sunni Athari theology .
Background and Purpose
The lessons that formed the work were initially intended to be a comprehensive thematic study of Ibn Taymiyyah's Majmu' al-Fatawa, surveying each volume and analyzing its treatises topic by topic . However, students suggested beginning with an introductory course to ground attendees in fundamental theological principles and prepare them to better comprehend and benefit from Ibn Taymiyyah's broader writings . The author structured the curriculum to cover essential matters across approximately twenty sessions .
Scope and Method
Rather than providing exhaustive, word-by-word commentaries on texts, the author adopted a thematic synthesis (dirasa mawdu'iyya) that merges related matters and groups six classical and standard theological treatises according to their core subjects to prevent duplication :
- Al-Usul al-Thalatha (The Three Principles), Kashf al-Shubuhat (The Removal of Doubts), and Kitab al-Tawhid (The Book of Monotheism) by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab: Studied together because they primarily focus on tawhid al-uluhiyya (the oneness of God in worship) and related issues .
- Al-Aqida al-Tadmuriyya by Ibn Taymiyyah: Focused primarily on tawhid al-asma' wa-l-sifat (divine names and attributes) and al-qadar (divine predestination) .
- Al-Aqida al-Wasitiyya by Ibn Taymiyyah and Matn al-Aqida al-Tahawiyya by Abu Ja'far al-Tahawi: Grouped to address comprehensive creedal topics, notably divine attributes, prophethood (al-nubuwwat), eschatology and resurrection (al-ma'ad), issues of faith and excommunication (al-iman wa-l-kufr), and the status of the Prophet's Companions .
To aid student preparation, the author recommended several concise commentaries, including Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin's commentary on al-Usul al-Thalatha, Abd al-Aziz al-Abd al-Latif's explanation of Kashf al-Shubuhat, Abd al-Rahman ibn Nasir al-Sa'di's al-Qawl al-Sadid on Kitab al-Tawhid as well as his short commentary on al-Aqida al-Wasitiyya, and the concise glosses on al-Aqida al-Tahawiyya by Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz and Abd al-Aziz ibn Mani' .
Key Themes
The work opens with introductory foundations defining 'aqida linguistically (derived from 'aqd, denoting firm binding) and technically as resolute, unwavering conviction . It highlights creed as the fundamental core of prophetic missions and the primary purpose of human existence, outlining its spiritual fruits such as inner tranquility and security . The text also defends the study of creed against claims that it causes theological confusion or division, addressing terminological questions surrounding the use of 'aqida compared to terms like sunna or usul al-din . In addition to intellectual grasp, it stresses the practical obligations of learning the evidence regarding God, the Prophet, and Islam, acting upon that knowledge, calling others to it, and remaining patient through hardships .
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