[عقيل الهندي]

An Introduction to al-‘Aqeedatu at-Tahaawiyyah

(The Methodology of Ahlus Sunnah in Authoring Books in ‘Aqeedah[1])

Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil ‘Azeez bin Maani’[2]

All praise is due to Allaah, and may salutations be upon the messenger of Allaah, his family, friends and whosoever follows his guidance.

To proceed:

These are beneficial footnotes we have written about the noble Salafee ‘aqeedah that was written by the Imaam and ‘allaamah Ahmad bin Muhammad at-Tahaawee, may Allaah have mercy upon him, that will benefit the seekers and illuminate the way for those seeking guidance.

Prior to that, I thought to mention some valuable works, like an introduction, to these footnotes taken from the speech of Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allaah have mercy upon him. He said,

“From the affairs of those who author in the field of ‘aqeedah that concentrate on the belief of Ahlus Sunnah wa’l Jama’ah is that they pen that which distinguishes Ahlus Sunnah from the non-believers and innovators.

They speak of affirming the attributes [of Allaah]; that the Qur’aan is the uncreated Speech of Allaah; that He, the Most High, is seen in the Hereafter, as opposed to the belief of the Jahmiyyah from the Mu’tazilah and other than them.

They mention that Allaah creates the actions of the slaves; that He wants all that exists and that that which He wills is and that which He does not will is not – as opposed to the Qadariyyah from the Mu’tazilah and other than them.

They mention issues relating to the names[3] and rulings; the promise of Paradise and Fire and that the believer does not commit disbelief simply by committing a sin and does not reside in the Fire forever as a result, to the contrary of what the Khawaarij and Mu’tazilah believe.

They establish the position regarding emaan – affirming the promise of the Fire for those who commit major sins, to the contrary of the Mur’ji’ah.

They discuss the leadership of the 4 Rightly-guided Khulafaa and their virtues, in opposition to the views held by the Raafidah and other than them.”[4] This is the end of the speech of Shaykh al-Islaam, may Allaah have mercy upon him.

His saying, “They mention issues relating to the names and rulings” refers to, as he explains in another part, that the people differed with regards to the names and rulings – i.e. the names of the religion like Muslim, mu’min [believer], kaafir [non-believer] and faasiq [sinner] and the rulings pertaining to each respective group in the worldly affairs and the Hereafter.

The Mu’tazilah conform with the view of the Khawaarij in their rulings regarding the hereafter, not the worldly life – so they do not deem the blood and wealth lawful as the Khawaarij do.

Regarding the names, the Mu’tazilah have introduced a station between 2 stations [between emaan and kufr] – which is something only they do. As for their other sayings, others share with them in them.

[1] This sub-title is from the translator – as a clarification as to what the subject matter is for this part of the introduction. [Translator’s Note]

[2] This is the first translated instalment of the Shaykh’s introduction. It will be published on this blog in 3 parts, in sha Allaah. [Translator’s note]

[3] An explanation of this is to follow.

[4] Sharh ‘aqeedatil Asfahaaniyyah (p. 31)