Description

This concise and lucid work of creed by the polymath and one of the foremost scholars of early Islam, Abū Jaʿfar Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṭaḥāwī (d. 321/933), is universally accepted amongst scholarly circles as a foundational text in Islamic belief. Numerous commentaries have been written on it throughout the ages, expositing its meanings and uncovering its subtleties. The present translation includes what is regarded as the most accessible and quite possibly the finest commentary penned, authored by the brilliant scholar, judge and theologian Abū Ḥafṣ Sirāj al-Dīn al-Ghaznawī (d. 773/1372).

The vast majority of the four schools [of Sunni jurisprudence] acknowledge the creed of Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭaḥāwī, which has been received by both former and subsequent scholars with acceptance.

—Imam Tāj al-Dīn al-Subkī (d. 771/1370)

 

Contents

1. Exposition of the Creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah

2. Divine Unity

3. Allah’s Eternal and Everlasting Names and Attributes

4. Allah’s Preordination

5. Muhammad (S) and His Description

6. The Qur’an: the Eternal Word of Allah

7. The Beatific Vision

8. The Prophet’s Night Journey (S) and Ascension

9. The Prophet’s Basin (S) and Intercession

10. The Covenant Made with Adam (a.s) and His Progeny

11. Divine Decree and Predetermination

12. The Preserved Tablet and the Pen

13. Allah’s Attribute of Creating

14. The Throne and the Footstool

15. The Angels, the Prophets and the Revealed Books

16. Declaring the People of the Qiblah to be Muslims

17. Debating about Allah’s Essence

18. Arguing about the Qur’an

19. The Impermissibility of Accusing a Muslim of Disbelief

20. The Meaning of Faith

21. Faith Neither Increases nor Decreases

22. The Fate of Major Sinners

23. The Status of a Muslim

24. Rebelling Against Muslim Leaders

25. Wiping Over Footwear

26. Hajj and Jihad

27. The Guardian Angels who were Scribes

28. The Grave and its States

29. Resurrection

30. Paradise and Hellfire

31. The Ability that Accompanies Acts

32. Slaves’ Actions

33. Supplication and Alms on Behalf of the Deceased

34. Allah’s Wrath and Pleasure

35. Loving the Companions of the Prophet (S)

36. The Order of the Caliphate

37. The Ten Given the Glad Tidings of Paradise

38. Speaking Well of Scholars

39. The Rank of Sainthood

40. Portents of the Final Hour

41. Diviners and Soothsayers

42. Adhering to the Congregation