Sharh Tahawiyyah Page 288 (2025-2026)
The theological exposition of Imam Abū Ja‘far al-Ṭaḥāwī (d. 321 AH) remains one of the most authoritative summaries of Sunni creed. Its commentary by Ibn Abi al-‘Izz (d. 792 AH), Sharḥ al-‘Aqīdah al-Ṭaḥāwiyyah , provides a rigorous Hanafī (and broadly Salafi-oriented) elaboration. On page 288 of standard Arabic editions, the commentary typically addresses a pivotal question:
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Divine actions (af‘al) vs. attributes
The Sharh al-Aqidah at-Tahawiyyah (Commentary on the Creed of al-Tahawi) by Imam Ibn Abi al-Izz al-Hanafi is a fundamental text in Islamic theology, clarifying the beliefs of the Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jama’ah (the mainstream Sunni perspective). A critical area within this, often located in the latter sections of the standard commentary (such as around page 288 in many popular English translations, including the one edited by Dr. Muhammad Khan or published by EmaanLibrary, centers on the profound relationship between faith ( Iman ), action, and the nature of excommunication ( Takfir ).
: Following Imam Abu Hanifa, the commentary notes that Iman is defined as "testimony by the tongue and belief by the heart," effectively excluding outward deeds from the definition of faith itself. sharh tahawiyyah page 288
This page answers a question about an annual event called "Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab Week." Dr. al-'Aql clarifies that such a weekly celebration was held only once as part of a specific academic conference that lasted seven days. It was never intended to be a recurring annual or weekly event. He advises the questioner to return from this misunderstanding and reassures that such a practice has not and will not be repeated in that specific form.
This debate is not merely academic; it has profound spiritual implications. It shapes how believers understand human potential, the nature of worship, and the ultimate goal of striving for divine closeness.
Page 288 of Sharh al-'Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah is far more than a simple page number; it serves as a window into the rich tradition of Islamic theological scholarship. Whether through Ibn Abi al-'Izz's profound discussion on angels and humans, Naser al-Aql's contemporary Q&As, or al-Jassas's detailed legal reasoning, this page embodies the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Islamic scholarship across the centuries. For the modern seeker of knowledge, it represents a valuable entry point into the depths of Sunni orthodoxy, illustrating how classical texts continue to be a living source of guidance, debate, and spiritual reflection.
He does not resemble His creation nor is He contained by it. Structural Context of Page 288
In the commentary on Sharh al-Aqeedah at-Tahawiyyah (Ibn Abi al-Izz), page 288 addresses Allah's transcendence (Al-'Ulu) and transcendence above the Throne. It specifically highlights a report from Imam Abu Hanifah regarding the necessity of believing Allah is in the heavens, refuting the view that Allah is physically everywhere. For more details, visit Luton Islamic Centre ashabulhadeeth.com
The separation of actions from the core definition of faith.
The text carefully distinguishes between Allah's Essence ( Dhat ), which is above the Throne, and His Knowledge , which encompasses everything and is everywhere. Why This Matters for Us Today
'If he denies that the 'Arsh is above the heavens ... - Facebook contextualizes historic debates
In the by Ibn Abi al-Izz al-Hanafi , the discussion surrounding page 288 (specifically in the standard English translation by Muhammad ‘Abdul-Haqq Ansari ) primarily focuses on the nature of Iman (faith) and Islam , and specifically whether Iman includes outward actions or is limited to internal belief and verbal testimony. Core Theological Debate
Ibn Abi al-Izz clarifies that while this difference led to extensive historical debate, it is largely a semantic variation ( ikh-tilaf lafzhi ) rather than a fundamental clash in creed. Both sides agree that a believer who neglects an obligation deserves divine reprimand, but does not instantly exit Islam. 2. The Uluww (Highness) of Allah
to clarify why different scholars used different terminology. Context of the Work
| Commentary | Author (and era) | Content on Page 288 (or equivalent) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Naser al-Aql (Contemporary) | Contains a Q&A segment answering two questions: 1. On the concept of a recurring "week" dedicated to Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (the author clarifies it was a one-time event). 2. Explaining the meaning of the divine name al-Qayyum (the Self-Subsisting) and how it proves God's eternality and self-sufficiency. Also includes criticism of Ibn Hazm's approach to God's names, accusing him of a form of denial ( ta'til ). | | شرح العقيدة الطحاوية (Ibn Abi al-'Izz) | Ibn Abi al-'Izz (d. 792 AH) | Discusses the theological debate on whether righteous humans can surpass angels in station . It presents arguments from both sides, including linguistic evidence from the Qur'an regarding the precedence of mentioning angels over Prophet Jesus, used to argue for their superiority. | | شرح العقيدة الطحاوية (al-Babarti) | Akmal al-Din al-Babarti (d. 786 AH) | The page (from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Awqaf edition) likely continues a discussion, but the publicly available PDF scan is currently unreadable. | | شرح العقيدة الطحاوية (al-Barrak) | 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Nasir al-Barrak (Contemporary) | The text on this page includes an argument for God's power of creation , citing the creation of the heavens and earth as proof that their Creator is capable of doing all things, including resurrection. | | شرح العقيدة الطحاوية (Safar al-Hawali) | Safar al-Hawali (Contemporary) | This page is part of the section discussing God's Names and Attributes , likely addressing the theological pitfalls of analogizing God's attributes to His creation [16†L25-L28]. | | Mukhtasar al-'Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah (al-Jassas) | Ahmad ibn 'Ali al-Jassas (d. 370 AH) | This page is in the section on Fiqh rulings , specifically a detailed jurisprudential ( fiqhi ) discussion on the linguistic definitions of "day" ( yawm ), "month," and "menstrual period" ( qur' ), using them to derive legal rulings for women in a state of post-natal bleeding ( nifas ). |
To navigate this text effectively, one must understand how page 288 shapes classical Islamic theology, contextualizes historic debates, and addresses modern ideological challenges. Structural Context of Page 288
