Sharh Tahawiyyah Page 288 Updated Jun 2026
The commentary explains that while some early Hanafi scholars sometimes defined Iman technically only as affirmation (heart and tongue), they agreed that actions are a necessary consequence and that faith does increase and decrease, rejecting the notion that actions are entirely separable from the reality of Iman . Sin and the Definition of Kufr (Disbelief)
Ibn Abi al-Izz explains on these pages that a person who commits murder, adultery, or theft remains within the fold of Islam, though their faith is severely deficient ( Naqis al-Iman ). This strikes down the ideology of the Khawarij , who historically fractured the Muslim community by executing and excommunicating individuals over major sins. 3. The Fluctuation of Faith
In the mainstream layout of the text—such as the widely used English Translation published by the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences —page 288 represents the crucial analytical bridge between and the theological status of believers . Specifically, this section handles:
Scholars and students of Islamic theology ( Aqidah ) frequently cite page 288 of the Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiyyah to prove that the early Hanafi masters held a creed consistent with the other three major schools of law regarding the attributes of Allah. It serves as a primary source for: sharh tahawiyyah page 288
: The author breaks down the superlative "Supreme" ( Al-A'la ) to signify that Allah is higher than everything in essence, power, and invincibility.
Page 288 is famous for highlighting a rift between Ibn Abi al-'Izz (a Hanafi by fiqh) and the mainstream Maturidi theologians of the Hanafi school. While Imam al-Tahawi avoided explicit mention of "direction," Ibn Abi al-'Izz accuses the later Maturidis (like Abu al-Mu'in al-Nasafi) of going too far in their ta'wil (metaphorical interpretation), essentially negating Allah's attribute of elevation.
"Whatever Allah wills, is; and whatever He does not will, is not." The commentary explains that while some early Hanafi
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.
This page is a signpost. It tells the student: You have reached the limit of the mind. From here, submit. It prevents the common intellectual disease of trying to “solve” Qadr as if it were a mathematical equation. Al-Qari’s tone on this page is pastoral and cautionary, guiding the student away from arrogance and toward humility.
Before turning to page 288, understanding the text’s nature is crucial. Imam al-Tahawi wrote his creed as a response to the theological disputes of his time, primarily between the Mu'tazilites and the anthropomorphists. His work is a masterful summary of the beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah , particularly through the lens of the Hanafi school. It serves as a primary source for: :
When a student or researcher isolates a specific page, like page 288, they are usually entering the heart of a polemic debate between the orthodox Sunni position and the positions of minority sects such as the Mu'tazilah, the Jahmiyyah, or the Khawarij. Key Theological Themes Around Page 288 1. The Intercession (Al-Shafa'ah) of the Prophet ﷺ
In many standard Arabic prints and English translations of Ibn Abi al-Izz’s commentary, page 288 falls into a deeply critical section of theological discourse. Depending on the specific publisher layout (such as the famous Maktabal-Islami or Dar al-Salam editions), page 288 typically navigates profound discussions regarding either , the realities of the Day of Judgment , or the nature of Allah's Attributes and the refutation of innovations .
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