Knowing the books and books of Auth-Thahawiyah

Throughout the history of Islamic scientific history, many great works were born from scholars who not only master one field, but rather have a breadth of knowledge in various branches, including in matters of creed. One phenomenal work that continues to be taught until now is Al-‘aqidah ath-thahawiyahsimple book, but full of credo content Sunni Sunnah walah. This book is an important reference, not only for novice students, but also for teachers and researchers of Islamic creed.

In the midst of the swift flow of modern thought and various deviations in understanding the principles of faith, it is important for every Muslim to have a strong foundation of beliefs and sourced from understanding Salafus shalih. Book Al-‘aqidah ath-thahawiyah Present in response to those needs: concise, crowded, and referring to the understanding of the best generation of this people. This is what makes this book relevant throughout the ages.

This article will explore the writer of the book, the background of writing, the privilege of its contents, as well as some notes put forward by the scholars related to the style and editor of this book. Hopefully it will be a blessing for us to explore the valid creed in accordance with the manhaj Sunni Sunnah walah.

Imam Abu Ja’far Ath-Thahawi

Book Al-‘aqidah ath-thahawiyah Dinisakat to a great scholar, namely Imam Abu Ja’far Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Salamah Al-Azdi Ath-Thahawi. He was born in 239 H in ṭaḥā village, in the Egyptian area, and therefore known as the “Ath-Thahawi” nickname. He comes from a family who loves knowledge, and since childhood has pursued various Islamic disciplines.

Interestingly, Imam Ath-Thahawi initially adhered to the Syafi’i school, but then moved to the Hanafi school after studying directly to Imam Abu Ja’far Al-Hakim, a student of Imam Abu Yusuf, a close friend of Imam Abu Hanifah. The movement of this school does not occur because of fanaticism, but because of the depth of the search for knowledge and consideration Istidlal (mature sale).

Ath-Thahawi leadership in the Hanafi sect cannot be denied. He even reached the level of the leader of the Hanafi sect in Egypt, because of his deep mastery of his fiqh and ushul. However, the job Al-‘aqidah ath-thahawiyah shows that in matters of creed, he is firm following the path Sunnus Sunnah walah As taught by friends and friends.

Imam Ath-Thahawi died in 321 H. His name was always fragrant in the history of Islamic science. His personality is known tawadhu ‘, His knowledge was broad, and his writing was full of wisdom. The Book of Akidah that he compiled until now is still the main reference in learning creed in pesantren, universities, and the assembly of science throughout the Islamic world.

Book Al-‘aqidah ath-thahawiyah: Concise but broad

This book is not directly named by the author, but because it was given to him, it was known by its name Al-‘aqidah ath-thahawiyah. This book is a summary of the trees of self -confidence Sunnus Sunnah Walah, which is arranged in the form of short points without long details or the mention of the proposition systematically.

The main purpose of the compilation of this book is to provide a basic framework that is easily memorized. Therefore, Imam Ath-Thahawi compiled it concisely, without mentioning many verses or traditions. It was noted that only about 10 collections of Al -Qur’an were found in this book, as well as several public hadiths.

Even so, the contents of this book are actually built on the arguments of syar’i and heritage of the understanding of friends. The editors used are clear and not wordy, and include many important aspects in the creed: monotheism, name and nature of God, faith, qadar, attitude towards the companions of the Prophet, and others. This makes this book very effective as an initial grip in learning a straight creed.

This book is not only studied by past scholars. To this day, Al-‘aqidah ath-thahawiyah remains an official teaching material in many Islamic scientific institutions, including in large Islamic universities such as the Islamic University of Madinah and Al-Azhar. This shows how broad the influence and importance of this book is in strengthening the understanding of the creed.

Also read: Biography of Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak

Its specialty and influence

One of the features of this book is its success in summarizing the principles of faith in a very concise form, but does not reduce the depth of its contents. Imam Ath-Thahawi compiled this book not for debate, but as a guide to faith that can be immediately understood and practiced. Therefore, many pesantren and educational institutions make it the main text in the lesson of creed.

This book is also highly respected by great scholars. Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, for example, often quotes its contents in Bayān Talbīs Al-Jahmiyyah. Ibn al-Qayyim also referred to him in a monumental work Ijtimā ‘al-juyūsh al-weislāmiyyah. In fact, the latest generation such as Sheikh Salih al-Fauzan and Sheikh Abdul Muhsin al-Abbad still gave recommendation (explanation) of this book in their lectures.

Another power of this book is that he is able to unite the circles Ahlus Sunnah From various schools of fiqh. Although the writer is a Hanafiy, the content of his creed is in harmony with the understanding of the salaf which is also held by the scholars from the Syafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools. This shows that the affairs of the creed should not be bound by differences in fiqh, but must be subject to the truth of revelation.

For the prosecutor of knowledge, master the content Al-‘aqidah ath-thahawiyah is a very important first step. Mastery of science in the contents of this book becomes a safe bridge towards the true understanding of monotheism, and at the same time provisions to recognize deviations that were born from rationalist thinking that deviated from syar’i texts.

Some criticism and clarification

As other classic books, Al-‘aqidah ath-thahawiyah Not spared from several criticisms. The scholars divide it into two types: formal criticism (arrangement of preparation) and substantial criticism (content content). This criticism is not aimed at demeaning the work of previous scholars, but rather as a form of scientific responsibility in maintaining the purity of the creed.

Formal criticism includes three things: lack of systematic sequences according to Gabriel’s hadith, repetition of several points, as well as the use of poetry style in some sentences. However, Ulama explained that this was not an absolute shortage, because it could be understood based on the context of the times and the purpose of the preparation of the book.

The substantial criticism includes about ten points that are considered to use terms or editors that are too global. This kind of editor can be interpreted according to understanding Ahlus sunnah, But it can also be brought to the thought of Kalam Expert (such as Mu’tazilah or Jahmiyyah) if not explained. Therefore, recommendation (Explanation) of this book is very necessary to avoid misunderstanding.

Recommendation The best most popular is the work of Ibn Abi Al-‘izz al-Hanafi, who explains each point in detail, complete with the argument and rebuttal to the deviant groups. With recommendation Well, this book is very safe and useful to learn. So it is important for teachers to teach this book with an explanation, not only to read it.

Book Al-‘aqidah ath-thahawiyah is a pearl that shines in the treasures of Islamic creed. Concise but crowded, lightly read but heavy meaning, this book provides a sturdy foundation for every Muslim who wants to understand monotheism and the principles of faith in accordance with the instructions of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions.

Wallahu ta’ala a’lam.

Also read: Biography of Imam Ibn Al-Jauzi

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Writer: Fauzan Hidayat

Article Muslim.or.id