Sharh Tahawiyyah Page 288 【FHD 2027】

Page 288 of Sharḥ al-Ṭaḥāwiyyah is not a dry philosophical exercise — it is a pastoral and theological defense of divine justice. Ibn Abi al-‘Izz shows that affirming Allah’s complete power does not erase human responsibility; rather, it deepens humility and obedience. The page stands as a timeless corrective to both excessive rationalism and careless predestinarianism, embodying the Sunni creed that “all is from Allah” yet “to us is our deeds.”

Non-Athari scholars interpret Abu Hanifa’s statement not as a physical direction, but as a rebuke to anyone who implies

Sunnis believe that Allah will permit Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (and others, like angels and righteous believers) to intercede on behalf of sinners. This includes Muslims who committed major sins (Kaba'ir) but died with faith. sharh tahawiyyah page 288

: 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.

In this commentary, which is a transcript of a series of lectures, page 288 delves into a crucial theological question regarding the Islamic understanding of seeing God in the afterlife. The discussion centers on reconciling two key concepts. Page 288 of Sharḥ al-Ṭaḥāwiyyah is not a

: For instance, when we say Allah has the attribute of "Hand" (Yad), we affirm it as mentioned in the Quran, but we do not give it a physical interpretation. Instead, we leave its exact nature to Allah, acknowledging it as an attribute of perfection.

It shows how classical scholars did not rely on emotional appeals, but rather built robust, logical frameworks using textual evidence (Nass) from the Quran and Sunnah. This includes Muslims who committed major sins (Kaba'ir)

The core text, Al-Aqidah al-Tahawiyya , was originally compiled in the 10th century by the Egyptian scholar Imam Abu Ja'far al-Tahawi . His goal was to outline the consensus ( ijma ) of the mainstream Muslim community—the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah —according to the methodology of the early scholars of Iraq: Imam Abu Hanifah, Abu Yusuf, and Muhammad al-Shaybani.

In standard English translations and critical Arabic prints, resides deep within a monumental theological zone: The boundaries of faith ( Iman ), the status of the major sinner ( Kabair ), and the principles of excommunication ( Takfir ) . The Structural Landscape of Page 288

Given that Ibn Abi al-'Izz's Sharh is the most historically influential, the content on its page 288 warrants a closer look. The passage focuses on the question: This is a classic debate in Islamic theology.

A significant portion of the page is dedicated to a practical, methodological point for Muslims. It advises that the average believer should not over-occupy themselves with the intricate details of divine attributes ( sifat ). Detailed theological discourse ( kalam ) is often a necessity to counter the arguments of deviant sects. For the common person, adhering to the clear, outward meaning of the Qur'an and Sunnah without delving into speculative philosophy is the safest and most praiseworthy path.