Al-Insaf fima Yajib I'tiqaduh | |
Author: | Abu Bakr al-Baqillani |
Editor: | Muhammad Zahid al-Kawthari[1] |
Title Orig: | الإنصاف فيما يجب اعتقاده و لا يجوز الجهل به |
Country: | Iraq |
Language: | Arabic |
Subject: | 'Aqida, Tawhid, Usul al-Din, Kalam (Islamic theology) |
Publisher: | Al-Maktaba al-Azhariyya lil-Turath |
Publisher2: | Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyah |
Followed By: | Tamhid al-Awa'il wa Talkhis al-Dala'il |
Al-Insaf fima Yajib I'tiqaduh walā Yajūz al-Jahl bih (Arabic: الإنصاف فيما يجب اعتقاده ولا يجوز الجهل به|lit='''''Equity in What Must Be Believed In, and May Not Be Ignorant About'''''),[1] is an Islamic theological book, written by the Maliki-Ash'ari scholar Abu Bakr al-Baqillani (d. 403/1013), as a methodical refutation against the Mu'tazilis and the Anthropomorphists (al-Mushabbiha).[2]
As an Ash'ari theologian, al-Baqillani disproved some theological doctrines formulated by these groups in dealing with a number of theological topics; the speech of God, the Qur'an and its characteristics, and other attributes of God. The Anthropomorphists believed that God is in the form of corporeal bodies together with their parts. He has hands, head, tongue, and other organs. Their notion is centralized to the doctrine that God has bodily materials. This doctrine was strongly rejected by al-Baqillani. His theological position takes the combination between rationalistic method and application of the revelation.
Al-Baqillani also elucidated his stance concerning mutashabihat verses (uncertain or doubtful passages whose meaning is open to two or more interpretations) which were literally understood by the Anthropomorphists. He analyzed verse (5) of Surat Taha, in which he commented that the God's istiwa (God's "being established" on the Throne) is not similar with His creatures. He believed that the throne has neither space nor place because God continuously exists, as he noted:[3] [4] [5] He also said:
Al-Baqillani demonstrates that:[6]
And other foundational Ash'ari beliefs.