Sharh Tahawiyyah Page 288 |best| [ Edge ]
This statement is often cited in modern intra-Sunni debates. Critics of Ibn Abi al-'Izz argue that he forced a Salafi reading onto a classical Maturidi text.
The primary commentary associated with page 288 is Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiyya Ibn Abi al-Izz al-Hanafi
On of the standard contemporary print, the reader encounters one of the most crucial and debated sections of the creed: The Attributes of Highness ( Uluww ) and Istawa (Rising over the Throne).
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. sharh tahawiyyah page 288
To fully grasp the brief, poetic statements of Imam al-Tahawi, scholars throughout history have written extensive commentaries (Sharh). The most universally studied commentary is Sharh al-Aqeedah al-Tahawiyyah by Ibn Abi al-Izz al-Hanafi.
While pagination shifts across various Arabic prints (such as the Dar al-Salam, Maktabat al-Islami, or Ministry of Islamic Affairs editions), the chapters surrounding this specific section of the Sharh generally dissect critical theological debates. 1. The Attributes of Allah (Sifatullah)
:The commentary clarifies that the Arsh is the highest point of creation. To deny that Allah is above the heavens is to deny the explicit text of the Quran. This statement is often cited in modern intra-Sunni debates
(the exact page number varies slightly by edition—Cairo 1955, Mu'assasat al-Risalah, or modern printings like Dar al-Salam) typically falls within the section discussing Allah’s Attributes (Sifat), specifically the debate around al-Jihah (direction) and al-Hayyiz (space or place).
The page has become a proxy reference for several modern theological battles:
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 Given that Ibn Abi al-'Izz's Sharh is the
as a real creation and the highest part of the universe.
The text systematically rejects the harshness of extremist groups (who excommunicate sinners) and the laxity of opposing groups (who claim actions do not matter to faith).
In standard printings of this text—specifically referencing the core sections surrounding Al-’Uluw (Divine Loftiness) and the ’Arsh —page 288 famously preserves a pivotal historical dialogue between the foundational jurist and his student Abu Muti’ al-Balkhi. This dialogue is frequently cited by scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah to establish traditional orthodox Islamic theology regarding the nature of God's existence above the creation. The Historical Text: Imam Abu Hanifah's Statement