Commentary on Al-`Aqidah al-Sanusiyya [Matn Umm al-Barahin]

8/2/2019 Commentary on Al-`Aqidah al-Sanusiyya [Matn Umm al-Barahin]

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THEAQDAHOFTUANGURUTHEAQDAHOFTUANGURUTHEAQDAHOFTUANGURUTHEAQDAHOFTUANGURU

TranslatedbyAuwaisRafudeenTranslatedbyAuwaisRafudeenTranslatedbyAuwaisRafudeenTranslatedbyAuwaisRafudeenReleasedbywww.marifah.net1428H


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TableofContentsTableofContentsTableofContentsTableofContents

TranslatorsIntroduction 3333Ummal-Barn:Translationofthetextandcommentary 8888Bibliography 44444444


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TranslatorsIntroductionTranslatorsIntroductionTranslatorsIntroductionTranslatorsIntroduction

TuanGuru,meaningEsteemedMaster,wasthetitleofShaykhAbdullh[d.1807],aprinceandIslamicscholarwhohailedfromtheTernateislandsineasternIndonesia.Hewasborn intheearly1700sandwasthesonofPrince Abdussalm,whohimselfwasaq,orIslamicjudge.HisfamilytracedtheirdescentdirectlytotheHolyProphet,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllahbeuponhim.TuanGuruwasgivenathoroughtraininginthe various branches of Islamic knowledge and proved himself expert in Qurn,hadth,aqdah,fiqhandtaawwuf.TheseventeenthandeighteenthcenturiesinIndonesiaweremarkedbyfrequentbattlesbetweenthe colonisingDutchand theMuslim inhabitantsof that land.In theprocess,theDutchexiledanumberofleaders,whotheyviewedasathreattotheircontinuingexpansion,tofarflungoutpostssuchasCapeTown.TuanGuruwasoneoftheseexiles

andwasincarceratedonRobbenIslandfrom1781to1793.WhileonRobbenIslandhewrote his compendium of Islamic knowledge - often called the Marifat al-Islm[Knowledge of Islam] - which consists of a number of writings on adth, fiqh ,supplications, amulets, transcriptions of parts of the Qurn and aqdah. Thecompendium is a testament to the Tuans phenomenal memory and his tremendousgroundingintheclassicaldisciplinesofIslm.Undoubtedly,themostimportantsectionofthecompendiumwasits aqdahcomponent.This component comprised Tuan Gurus transcription of theUmm al-Barn [TheDemonstrativeProofs]andoneofitscommentaries.TheUmmal-BarnwasauthoredbyShaykhMuammadbinYsufal-Sans[d.1490]ofTlemcenandthecommentary

waswrittenbyoneofhisstudentsShaykhAbdullhal-Malli.TheUmmal-Barn,alsocalledthe Sansyyah, was to fundamentally shape theworldviewof theCapeMuslimcommunityforthecenturiestocome.1Uponhis release fromRobben Island theTuan industriouslyset aboutorganising andeducating the then relatively smallMuslimcommunity, whowere largely composedofslavesbutincludedexilednotablesandconvictsaswell. 2TothisendtheTuanbuilt,in

1SeeDavids,A.(1985)ThehistoryoftheTanaBaru:thecaseforpreservationoftheMuslimcemetThehistoryoftheTanaBaru:thecaseforpreservationoftheMuslimcemetThehistoryoftheTanaBaru:thecaseforpreservationoftheMuslimcemetThehistoryoftheTanaBaru:thecaseforpreservationoftheMuslimcemeteeeeryatryatryatryat

thetopofLongmarketStreet,thetopofLongmarketStreet,thetopofLongmarketStreet,thetopofLongmarketStreet,CapeTown,CommitteeforthepreservationoftheTanaBaru,,,,p.41.2OnTuanGuruslifeseeDavids,1985,opopopop.citcitcitcit....pp.40-45.


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the 1790s, South Africas first mosque and madrasah, located inDorp Street, CapeTown. The compendium, and the Umm al-Barn in particular, constituted thefoundationaltextofthemadrasah.TheUmmal-Barnbecamelocallyknownasthe

twintaghsiefaats [twentyattributes] inCapeMuslimAfrikaans, this referring to thenumber of attributes the text describes to be necessarily predicated ofAllh. DavidsnotesthattheUmmal-Barnprovedmostpopularandconvenientforrotelearning,and several copies were transcribed, with Melayu translations, from the originalcompendiumashandbooksandreadersforstudentsatthemadrasah.3Davids,whohadtwocopiesofsuchmanuscriptsinhispossessionandhadseenseveralothers,statesthatthey constitute the most extensive examples of the literary exploits of the CapeMuslims prior toemancipation [in1834].4Infact,DavidsattributesthephenomenalsuccessoftheDorpStreetmadrasah -whichattractedincreasingnumbersofstudentswith eachpassingyearandwasbeingreplicated inagrowingnumberofothermadris[Muslim schools] - to the theological/philosophical base provided by Tuan Gurus

teachingoftheUmmal-Barn.5

RegardingthedeterminativeroleitplaysintheCapeMuslim worldview he comments: Its basic philosophical position still forms theapproachtoaqida(theIslamicbeliefsystem)andbecamethesubjectofseveralArabic-AfrikaansandAfrikaans (inRomanscript) publication [sic]inthelatenineteenthandthroughoutthetwentiethcentury. 6And:theSanusiyyahremainedthemainteachingsubject of the madaris in Cape Town until well into the 1950s-1960s, when we aschildrenwere required tomemorize its conceptswithout fullycomprehending them.7However,itwasnotonlythetremendouseducationalandsociallegacyoftheTuanthatearnedhimthe titleof EsteemedMaster.Inhisown lifetimehewas recognizedasawalAllh-aFriendofAllahandanumberofmiracleshavebeenattributedtohim.Hepassedawayin1807andhasbeenhonouredbyadomeoverhisgrave[ kramat],located

intheTanaBarucemetery,CapeTown.Thereisnodoubt,bythemerefactofitsinclusioninthecompendiumandwhatweknowof the character of traditional Islamic instruction, that within the well-organised,standardised,vibrantsystemofIslamiceducationthatprevailedinCapeTowninthefirsthalfofthenineteenthcentury 8,thecommentaryoftheUmmal-Barnwas taught intandem with its text. The textwas required tobe memorised, forming the content ofstudents koples boeke [memorisation workbooks]. However, in traditional Islamicinstruction the teachersoral commentaryexplicates anoftenconcentrated text - as isindeed theUmm al-Barn. TuanGurus transcription of the commentary was verylikelyaimedasaguideforfutureteachers,servingthemwellforthelargepartofthe

3The historical significanceof thecompendiumandits roleasprecursorto an importantCape literary

traditionisoutlinedinDavidsimportant1991thesis,TheAfrikaansoftheCapeMuslimsfrom1815toTheAfrikaansoftheCapeMuslimsfrom1815toTheAfrikaansoftheCapeMuslimsfrom1815toTheAfrikaansoftheCapeMuslimsfrom1815to

1915:asociolinguisticstudy,MAT1915:asociolinguisticstudy,MAT1915:asociolinguisticstudy,MAT1915:asociolinguisticstudy,MAThesis,UniversityofNatal(Durban),hesis,UniversityofNatal(Durban),hesis,UniversityofNatal(Durban),hesis,UniversityofNatal(Durban),pp.37-39and67-68.4Davids,1991,op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.p.685Davids,1991,op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.p.376Davids,1991,op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.p.397Davids,1991,op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.p.688For a description of this system see Davids, A. (1994), Alternative education: Tuan Guru and the

formation of theCapeMuslimCommunity inYusuf daCosta andAchmatDavids, Pages fromCapePagesfromCapePages fromCapePagesfromCape

MuslimhistoryMuslimhistoryMuslimhistoryMuslimhistory,Pietermaritzburg,ShuterandShooter,pp.51-52.


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nineteenth century when the compendium was used as a basic reference on religiousissuesinCapeTown.9

Shaykhal-Sans,theauthoroftheUmmal-Barn,wasborninTlemcen,Algeria in1435/1436. Trained in the traditional Islamic sciences, he acquired a reputation as aprecocious scholar and eminent Sf. In particular, he was famed for his works onaqdah, or the Islamic tenets of belief, which were written at various grades ofelucidation.TheUmmal-Barnwas aimedat theprimary leveland thus came to becalled the al-ughr. The al-Wust and al-Kubr, as their appellations indicate,wereaimed at the intermediate and advanced levels respectively. An ascetic who gained agreatreputationformysticalknowledgeandmiracles,hewashonouredwithadomeoverhisgraveonhispassingawayinTlemcenin1490.HisdiscipleShaykhal-Mall,apartfrom providing a commentary to the Umm al-Barn, also penned his mastersbiography.10

The rationally enunciated, considered distillation of the orthodox Muslim creed asrepresentedinShaykhal-Sansswritingshashadafar-reachingimpactontheIslamicworld,inspiringnumerouscommentaries.TheimpactofhiswritingsareevidentinWestAfrica, where theUmmal-Barn and its commentaries flourished under the Fulaniname Kabbe, inMorocco and Egypt, where his various works constituted standard,gradedtextbooksofaqdah,andinSouthEastAsia,wheretheUmmal-Barn-alsocalledtheretheal-Durra -was,togetherwithitscommentaries,taughtinthepesantren[Islamicschools/colleges]accompaniedbyaninterlinearMalayorJavanesetranslation-thesamemannerinwhichtheTuantaughtitinCapeTown.11

AsynopsisofthetextAsynopsisofthetextAsynopsisofthetextAsynopsisofthetextThetextprovidestherationaljustificationforthefundamentalprinciplesheldbythe Ahlal-Sunnahwaal-Jamah [ThePeopleof thePropheticWayandtheCongregation],orSunnis.TheformalsystematisationoftheSunnicreedwasundertakenindependentlybytwo scholars, Imm Abl-asan Al al-Ashar [d 935 c.e] and Imm Ab MansrMturd [d. 944 c.e]. These distillations became the dominant ones in Islm - themainstreamofIslmsscholarlytraditionviewsthemastheauthenticrepresentationofthestructureofbeliefsthat thecommunityhasinheritedfromtheCompanionswho inturnabsorbeditundertheguidanceoftheHolyProphet,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim.TheUmmal-BarnfollowstheAshariteenunciationofthecreed.TheUmmal-Barnproceedsbyorganisingknowledgeintothreecategories-necessity,impossibilityandpossibility-andthendiscusseswhatmust,whatmustnot,andwhatmaybe, predicated of the Being of Allh vis--vis these categories. It predicates twentyattributes as necessarily belonging to the Being of Allh: namely, Existence,

9WhereitwascitedassuchduringaCapeSupremeCourtlitigationin1873.SeeDavids,1991,op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.p.3910IhavebeenunabletolocateanyfurtherinformationonShaykhMalli.11Foraconcisedescriptionofthelife,worksandinfluenceofShaykhal-SansseeH.Bencheneb,1997,

al-Sans,s.v.EncyclopediaofIsEncyclopediaofIsEncyclopediaofIsEncyclopediaofIslmlmlmlm,Leiden,Brill.


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Beginninglessness, Everlastingness, His Absolute Distinction to the creation, Self-Subsistence,Oneness,PowerandHisbeingAll-Powerful,WillandHisbeingAll-Willing,Knowledge and His being All-Knowing, Life and His being Living, Hearing andHis

beingAll-Hearing,SeeingandHisbeingAll-Seeing,SpeechandHisbeingSpeaking.Theopposites oftheseattributes are those that are impossible toascribe toAllh. Finally,what is possiblewith regard to the Being ofAllh isHis choosing to do or leave thatwhich iswithin the realmofpossibilities - suchas creatinghumanbeings, for example.The author then proceeds to construct logical proofs for each of these necessaryattributes,andbyextensiontheproofsfortheimpossibilityoftheiropposites,aswellastheproofofHischoosingtodoorleavethatwhichiswithintherealmofpossibilities.The author thendiscussesbelief in theMessengers and the rational necessityof theirbeing truthful, faithful to their commission and propagators of what they have beenorderedtopropagate,aswellastheimpossibilityofthembeingdevoidofthesethree

characteristics. From the establishment of Messengership is inferred belief in otherverities such as Angels, Holy Books, the Last Day and Predestination. The authorconcludesbyademonstrationofhowtheformulaoffaithThereisnogodbutAllh,Muammad is theMessenger ofAllh implicitly contains the proofs for the centraltenetsoffaith.The commentator provides an indispensable clarification and elaboration of the veryconcentratedmatn. Inaddition tocasting lighton the graded natureof the argumentcontained in thematn,heengagesitsargumentstoprovideAshariteresponsestotheviews of their adversaries such as the Mujassimah [the anthropomorphists] and theMutazilah [exclusiverationalists].Thecommentaryalsoprovidesvaluableinsightsinto

Asharitenotionsofcausality,therelationshipbetweenessenceandexistence,thenatureofsubstanceandaccidentandthelikeandtheirmodeofapplicationincorroboratingandfinelydefiningtheSunniworldview.NotesonthetranslationNotesonthetranslationNotesonthetranslationNotesonthetranslationThe translation is sourced from the photocopied version of the compendiumwhich ishousedattheNationalLibraryofSouthAfrica.12ItiswritteninArabicand,likeitsSouthEast Asian counterparts, accompanied by an interlinear Melayu translation. MytranslationisfromtheArabic.ThisversionoftheUmmal-BarnwascollatedagainstaprintededitionissuingfromNigeria13andwasfoundtobeaccurate.

12HousedunderthetitleN.E.RAKIEPCOLLECTION[manuscript].Shelfno.MSB683N.E.RAKIEPCOLLECTION[manuscript].Shelfno.MSB683N.E.RAKIEPCOLLECTION[manuscript].Shelfno.MSB683N.E.RAKIEPCOLLECTION[manuscript].Shelfno.MSB683.Itscontentsare

describedasTextinArabicwithinterlinearMalayu613pp(bound)fromwhichthepresentsubjectfor

translationisextracted.ButthecollectionalsocomprisesanotherTextinMalayu(Arabicscript)186pp

(bound) which is another work by Tuan Guru dealing with mystical symbolism. The collection was

donatedtotheLibrarybyMrRakiep,adescendentofTuanGuru,in1985.13al-Anr,ShaykhAmadbin s. [n.d.], SharSharSharSharUmm alUmm alUmm alUmm al----BarBarBarBarnnnn,,,,Kano,A.A.Abou-Elseoud andO.

Tayeb.


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Theuseofsquarebracketsindicateoneofthefollowing:thetranslationofanEnglishorArabic term, a conjunction that has occasionally been omitted from the text, myrendering of a potentially ambiguousphrase, or an insertion thatmakes themeaning

moreapparent.Inthefollowing,texttexttexttextreferstotheUmmal-BarnofShaykhal-Sansandisgiveninboldthroughout whilethecommentarycommentarycommentarycommentaryofShaykhal-Mallisinnormaltypescript. The corresponding page numbers of the sourced version are also square-bracketed in this translation and given in bold throughout.The text of theUmm al-Barnisreplicatedtwiceinthecompendium-onestandsonitsown14andtheotherisanimprintinthecommentary.15Ihavepreferredtheformerduetoitsgreaterlegibilityand hence the corresponding page numbers. Hanna KassissA Concordance of theQurnhasconsiderablylightenedthetaskofgivingreferencesfortheQurnicversescited.However,Ihavenotbeenabletolocateallofthe adthsources,referencingonlythosethatwerelocatedorprovidingsourcesofothersthatcorrespondinmeaningtotheonesquotedinthetext.

14Correspondingtopp.107to129.15Thecommentaryrunsfrompp.305to437.


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UmmalUmmalUmmalUmmal----BarBarBarBarnnnn

Text[Foreword]Text[Foreword]Text[Foreword]Text[Foreword][106]:[106]:[106]:[106]:IntheNameofAllh,MostCompassionate,MostMerciful.IntheNameofAllh,MostCompassionate,MostMerciful.IntheNameofAllh,MostCompassionate,MostMerciful.IntheNameofAllh,MostCompassionate,MostMerciful.ThisisastatementofIslamicbelief[ThisisastatementofIslamicbelief[ThisisastatementofIslamicbelief[ThisisastatementofIslamicbelief[ aqdahaqdahaqdahaqdah]bytheLeader[]bytheLeader[]bytheLeader[]bytheLeader[ImmImmImmImm],theBearer[],theBearer[],theBearer[],theBearer[milmilmilmil]]]]oftheflagofIslmsDivineLaw[oftheflagofIslmsDivineLaw[oftheflagofIslmsDivineLaw[oftheflagofIslmsDivineLaw[SharahSharahSharahSharah],theasce],theasce],theasce],theascetic[tic[tic[tic[zhidzhidzhidzhid],],],],theworshipper[theworshipper[theworshipper[theworshipper[bidbidbidbid],],],],thetravellerintheWay[thetravellerintheWay[thetravellerintheWay[thetravellerintheWay[slikslikslikslik],theotherworldly[],theotherworldly[],theotherworldly[],theotherworldly[nsiknsiknsiknsik],],],],thefriendofAllh[thefriendofAllh[thefriendofAllh[thefriendofAllh[walwalwalwal],the],the],the],thepious [pious [pious [pious [lihlihlihlih], the Godfearing [], the Godfearing [], the Godfearing [], the Godfearing [warwarwarwar], the advisor togood [], the advisor to good [], the advisor togood [], the advisor to good [nnnnihihihih], the Pole [], thePole [], thePole [], thePole [QuQuQuQubbbb], the], the], the], thegnostic[gnostic[gnostic[gnostic[rifrifrifrif],theHelp[],theHelp[],theHelp[],theHelp[GhawthGhawthGhawthGhawth],theDiscloser[],theDiscloser[],theDiscloser[],theDiscloser[kshifkshifkshifkshif],aLeader[],aLeader[],aLeader[],aLeader[ImmImmImmImm]oftheWay,]oftheWay,]oftheWay,]oftheWay,theGatherer[theGatherer[theGatherer[theGatherer[Mujmi'Mujmi'Mujmi'Mujmi'],theHelp[],theHelp[],theHelp[],theHelp[GhawthGhawthGhawthGhawth],theLeader[],theLeader[],theLeader[],theLeader[ImmImmImmImmalalalal----JmJmJmJm]]]]injoiningtheinjoiningtheinjoiningtheinjoiningtheDivineLaw[DivineLaw[DivineLaw[DivineLaw[SharahSharahSharahSharah]totheUltimateReality[]totheUltimateReality[]totheUltimateReality[]totheUltimateReality[aqqahaqqahaqqahaqqah],ourMaster[],ourMaster[],ourMaster[],ourMaster[SayyidSayyidSayyidSayyid],thefather],thefather],thefather],thefatherofAbdullh,ourPatron[ofAbdullh,ourPatron[ofAbdullh,ourPatron[ofAbdullh,ourPatron[MMMMawlnaawlnaawlnaawlna]]]],,,,MuMuMuMuammadbinYsufammadbinYsufammadbinYsufammadbinYsufalalalal----SansalSansalSansalSansal----asan,Allh'sasan,Allh'sasan,Allh'sasan,Allh'smercy be upon him and Allh be pleased with him, and may we benefit from hismercy be upon him and Allh be pleased with him, and may we benefit from hismercy be upon him and Allh be pleased with him, and may we benefit from hismercy be upon him and Allh be pleased with him, and may we benefit from his

erudition. He is the author of this book whose title iserudition. He is the author of this book whose title iserudition. He is the author of this book whose title iserudition. He is the author of this book whose title is Umm al Umm al Umm al Umm al- ---BarBarBarBarnnnn [The[The[The[TheDemonstrativeProofs].DemonstrativeProofs].DemonstrativeProofs].DemonstrativeProofs].Commentary [ForewoCommentary [ForewoCommentary [ForewoCommentary [Foreword] [305]rd] [305]rd] [305]rd] [305]: In the Name of Allh, Most Compassionate, MostMerciful.AndtheSalutationsofAllhbeuponourMasterMuammadanduponhisFamilyandallhisCompanions.Abdullh Muammad ibn Umar ibn Ibrahm al-Malli -thereafter known as al-Tilmisni,mayAllhskindnessbeuponhim-[hebeingone]towhomAllhshowedHisfavour and generosity and one through whom He gave benefit by his person and

exemplificationofthetruthofMuammadandhisfamily-said:AllPraisebetoAllh,[306][306][306][306]theUnique[munfarad]throughnecessaryOnenessinBeing[dht],Attributes [sift] and Acts [afl], free of any partner, likeness, peer or equal.SalutationsofAllhbeuponourMaster,ourPatron[Mawln],Muammad,MasterofalltheProphetsandMessengers,[307][307][307][307]anduponhisFamilyandhisCompanions-themostnobleofCompanionsand themostgraciousandnoblestFamily. Salutationsandblessingsbealwaysuponthemandthemostgraciousofsalutationsandpeacebealwaysuponthem,throughtheperpetuityoftheLord,MostGenerous,MostHigh.Toproceed:Oneofmycompanions-mayAllhmakehisandmyheartradiantwiththelightofcertaintyandmakeusofthepurelearnedones-hasrequestedofmesomethingthatIamobligatedtofulfill:namely,togiveashort,helpfulcommentarythatwillassisthimandotherbeginnerstounderstandtheaqdahbytheShaykh,theImm,theCarrieroftheflagoftheSharahofIslam,theascetic,theworshipper,thetravellerintheWay,the otherworldly, the pious, the Godfearing, the advisor to the good, the Pole, thegnostic,theHelp,[308][308][308][308]theDiscloser,theImmoftheWay,theGatherer,theHelp,theImminjoiningtheSharahtotheaqqah,mymasterAbAbdullhMuammadibnYsufal-Sansial-asan,AllhsmercybewithhimandAllhspleasurebewithhimandmayAllhbenefitusthroughhisknowledgeandmaythebenefitofthisknowledgebewiththosewhodesiretheDaywhennowealthorchildrenwillbenefitexcepthewho


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comestoAllhwithasoundheart. 16[Maythisprayerbegranted]throughtheGloryofourMasterandProtector,Muammad,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim,themostgraciousofSalutationsandthemostperfectofPeace.Thereisnostrengthor

powerexceptthroughAllh,theMostHigh,theMighty.[309][309][309][309]He-AllhhavemercyonhimandmayAllhbepleasedwithhimandbenefitusthroughhisknowledge-says:TextTextTextText: [107] All Praise be toAllh. Salutations and Peace be upon the Messenger of: [107]All Praise be toAllh. Salutations and Peace be upon the Messenger of: [107] All Praise be toAllh. Salutations and Peace be upon the Messenger of: [107]All Praise be toAllh. Salutations and Peace be upon the Messenger ofAllh,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim.Allh,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim.Allh,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim.Allh,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim.CommentCommentCommentCommentary:ary:ary:ary:[309][309][309][309]ThePraise[amd]istheextollingofAllhwitheveryperfectionthatis becoming of Him, whether that perfection is uncreated or created because theuncreatedisHis[self-]descriptionandthecreatedareHisacts.Thus,everythingbelongs

toHim,MostHigh,andinrealitynonedeservespraiseexceptHim.HehasnosonandthereisnogodbutHim.Forthisreason,praiseisdividedintofourcategories-two[inrelationto]theuncreatedandtwoinrelationtothecreated.ThefirstcategoryofpraiseisthroughHisuncreatedWordsuchasthesayingoftheMostHigh:AllpraisebetoAllh,LordoftheWorlds,17andHis,theMostHigh,saying[310][310][310][310]:KnowthatAllhisyour Protector. What an excellent Protector and what an excellent Helper!18 Thesecond category is the praise of the Most High through His uncreated Word ofwhosoeverHewills amongHis servants,suchasHissaying:Whatanexcellentservant.Verilyhewaseverturninginrepentance.19ThethirdcategoryisourpraiseofAllh,MostHighandthefourthcategoryisthepraiseofthecreatedforthecreated.

Furthermore,praiseisdividedintoselectiveandinclusivecategories.Selectivepraiseisupon the tongue only while inclusive praise happens in times of both good and badfortune,beingdifferenttothanks[shukr]whichonlyhappensin timesofgoodfortune.Thanks,too,isalsodividedintoselectiveandinclusivecategories.[311][311][311][311]Selectivethanksoccursduringmomentsofgoodfortune[uponthetongueonly]whileinclusivethanksincludesthetongue,theheartandother[organs].Thelegalrulingregardingpraiseisthatitisnecessaryonceinalifetime,like[therulingconcerning]theattestationoffaith.AndsuccesscomesthroughAllh.AllhisthecomprehensiveanduniversalNamefortheBeing,AttributesandActionsoftheMostHigh.ThisiswhyitiscalledtheKing[sultn]ofallnames.Itissaidthatitistaken from infatuation [tawalluh] as hearts are infatuated with Him and becomeconfounded [taayyar] with His Glory and Greatness. In Arabic tawalluh andmutaayyar20aresynonyms.TheyarenamesthatdonotcontainHim,GloriousandHonouredisHe.

16SeeQurn26:8917Qurn1:118Qurn8:4019Qurn38:3120Mutaayyaristhepassiveparticipleoftaayyar


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Itis[also]saidthatitshonourablemeaningistakenfromtheArabsaying:[312][312][312][312]Thesunissublime[lhat]when it rises and becomes high. This is also of the names that aretanzh[transcendent]sinceHisHighnessisutterlydifferenttothatofthecreation.21Itisnotahighnessofplace.Itis[further]saidthatitsmeaning,whichis[also]notsubjecttochange,istakenfromtheArabexpressionAliha fulnunallihi-Soandsotookcharge of his condition. Its [i.e.aliha]meaning [here] is qma alay - to establishover.Thisisalsoanamethattranscendschangeandmutation.22Themeaningofsalutation[alt]ismercyandmercyisablessingwhilepeace[salm]iscomfort [amn]. It is not a request for obtaining mercy and safetyper se as such isrequested for those without it - and this is impossible with regard to the Prophet,SalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim,whoistheverysourceofmercy.Rather,[313][313][313][313]therequestisforitsincrease.Thuswhenyousay:OAllh!SendSalutationsand

PeaceuponourMasterandPatronMuammaditsmeaningisthathebecontinuallyaugmentedwithmercyandcomfort.Furthermore,salutationsuponhim,theSalutationsand Peace of Allh be upon him, are accepted of every believer through evidencenarratedthatJibrl,uponhimbepeace,saidtotheMessengerofAllh,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim:Worksmayberejectedoracceptedexceptsalutationsupon you for it is [always] accepted. It is also narrated that invocation [du] issuspendedbetweentheheavensandtheearthunlessitbeginsandendswithsalutationsupontheProphet,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim.23It[salutations]hasinnumerablebenefits.AmongthemisthesayingoftheProphet,SalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim,WhosoeverwouldbehappytomeetAllh,withAllhbeingpleased[314][314][314][314]with him, then hemakesabundant salutations uponme.24He, Salutations and

PeaceofAllhbeuponhim,said:Makeabundantyoursalutationsuponmeforitsolvesproblemsandremovessorrows.25He,SalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim,said: Salutations upon me erases sins like cold water extinguishes the fire and [sending]peaceuponmeisbetterthanfreeingaslave.26AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.Text:Text:Text:Text: [[[[107] Know that rational judgment [107] Know that rational judgment [107] Know that rational judgment [107] Know that rational judgment [alalalal----ukmukmukmukm al alalal----aqliaqliaqliaqli] is restricted to three] is restricted to three] is restricted to three] is restricted to threecategories:necessity[categories:necessity[categories:necessity[categories:necessity[alalalal----wujbwujbwujbwujb],impossibility[],impossibility[],impossibility[],impossibility[ististististihihihihlalalala]andpossibility[]andpossibility[]andpossibility[]andpossibility[jawzjawzjawzjawz].Necessity].Necessity].Necessity].Necessityisthatwhichreasoncannotconceiveofbeingnonisthatwhichreasoncannotconceiveofbeingnonisthatwhichreasoncannotconceiveofbeingnonisthatwhichreasoncannotconceiveofbeingnon----existent.Impossibilityisthatwhexistent.Impossibilityisthatwhexistent.Impossibilityisthatwhexistent. Impossibility is thatwhichichichichreasoncannotconceiveofbeingexistent.Possibilityisthatwhichreasoncanconceiveofreasoncannotconceiveofbeingexistent.Possibilityisthatwhichreasoncanconceiveofreasoncannotconceiveofbeingexistent.Possibilityisthatwhichreasoncanconceiveofreasoncannotconceiveofbeingexistent.Possibilityisthatwhichreasoncanconceiveofbeingeitherexistentornonbeingeitherexistentornonbeingeitherexistentornonbeingeitherexistentornon----existent.existent.existent.existent.

21I.e.asthehighnessofthesuntranscendstheworld,theHighnessofGodtranscendstheentirecreation.22I.e.Godisfullyestablishedovercreationandtranscendsit.23For this adth see al-Baghaw, Ab Muammad al-usain (1981) Mishkt alMishkt alMishkt alMishkt al----MaMaMaMabibibibi,,,, annotated

EnglishtranslationbyJamesRobson,volume1(2volumes)Lahore,Sh.MuhammadAshraf,p.191.24AtthispointthetextcontainstheapparentlydisjointedphrasetheMessengerofAllh,Salutationsand

PeaceofAllhbeuponhimofsalutations.25Cf.toal-Baghaw,op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.p.189-190.26Cf.toal-Baghaw,op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.p.188.


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Commentary:[315]Commentary:[315]Commentary:[315]Commentary:[315]Themeaningofjudgment[ ukm]istheestablishmentornegationofadatum[amr].Wheneverreasonestablishesadatum,itcannotrationallynegateitandits being is a necessity. Whenever reason negates a datum, then it cannot rationally

establishit,anditsbeingisanimpossibility.Wheneverreasonjudgesadatumcapableofeitherexistenceornon-existence,thenitsbeingisapossibility.Thenatureofthethreecategoriescanbeclarifiedbyusinganexample.Necessityislikedescribing a body [jirm] as being either in motion or stationary because it must bedescribed by one of the two, and not by both simultaneously. Impossibility is akin todescribingabodyasbeingneitherinmovementnorstationarybecausereasondoesnotadmitthatabodycanbeabsentofbothofthese.Possibilityisequivalenttodescribingabody by onlyone [316][316][316][316] of thesequalities [mun]forreasoncanadmitthatabodybeperpetuallyinmotionorthatitbeperpetuallystationary.

Thedivisionsof rationaljudgmentarerestrictedto threecategoriesonlyanddoesnotadmit of any other. This is why the Shaykh says restricted [inaara] to [threecategories]andnotdividedinto[yanqasumu].It isunderstoodfromtheformerthatthese are restricted categories according to its three different types. If he had saiddividedinto,itwouldnothavebeenunderstoodthatthesecategoriesarerestrictedtothree.Furthermore,eachoneofthesecategoriesaresubdividedintotwo:self-evident[badah]andtheoretical[nadhar].Self-evidentnecessity[317][317][317][317]isnotinneedofreflectionbutisknownintuitively.Anexamplewouldbethatoneishalfoftwo.Theoreticalnecessityisthatwhichisonlyknownthroughconsiderationandreflectionsuchasonebeingthehalf

ofasixthoftwelve.Thisisnotknownintuitivelybutonlyafterreflection.Anexampleofself-evident impossibility is asserting that one is half of four while one of theoreticalimpossibilitywouldbeclaimingthatoneisasixthoftwelve.Anexampleofself-evidentpossibilitywould be a body beingwhite, for instance,while a theoretical possibility isclaiming that a human being wishes for death. This latter is not known except afterconsideration. [318][318][318][318] This is with regard to vigorous, healthy people who have notexperienced difficulties that are severer than death, and not knowing the concept oftribulation [min], intuitively believe in the inconceivability of an intelligent personwishing death for himself. But if they had thought about tribulation, theywould knowthatit27issevererthandeath.Theywillthenrealisethatanintelligentpersoncanwishfor death for himself, not through the categories of necessity or impossibility, butadmittingitsexistence[asapossibility]ifsuchaonefearsamisfortunesevererthanit-eveniftheyhaddesiredandhopedforsomethinggreatwhichcannotbeobtainedexceptthrough death.The people of [319][319][319][319] health and vigourmust bedistinguishedfrom thepeopleoffearandhope,28forthewishfordeathamongthelatterisanintuitivepossibilityanddoesnotrequirereflection.

27Thewordishtq[tolongforardently]isinsertedhereinthetext[p.318]butdoesnotappeartofit

thecontext.28Thatis,theSfis.


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The knowledge of these three categories with regard to Allh and His Messengers(SalutationsandPeacebeuponthem)constitutesfaith[imn]andwhichAllhrequiresus[tohave]insuchmanner.Shaykhal-Ashar,29theImmoftheAlSunnah,Allhbe

pleasedwithhim,said:Anditissaid:Thefaithwhichwearerequiredtohaveisaself-analysis[adth al-nafs] related to knowledge of these three categories. This is thepreferredviewandtheknowledgeofthesethreecategoriesdefinesintelligence.Immal-aramain,30Allh bepleasedwith him, said: Whosoever does not know these [threecategories]isnotathinkingperson.AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.Text:Text:Text:Text:[107[107[107[107----108]Every108]Every108]Every108]Everymukallafmukallafmukallafmukallaf islegallyobligedislegallyobligedislegallyobligedislegallyobliged toknowwhatisnecessary,impossibletoknowwhatisnecessary,impossibletoknowwhatisnecessary,impossibletoknowwhatisnecessary,impossibleandpossibleinrelationtoandpossibleinrelationtoandpossibleinrelationtoand possible inrelation toourProtector,GloriousandHonoured isHe. Likewise,heourProtector,GloriousandHonouredisHe.Likewise,heourProtector,GloriousandHonouredisHe.Likewise,heourProtector,GloriousandHonouredisHe.Likewise,hemust know these [three] categories astheypertain totheMessengers,Salutationsandmust knowthese [three] categories astheypertain totheMessengers,Salutationsandmust know these [three] categories astheypertain totheMessengers,Salutationsandmust knowthese [three] categories astheypertain totheMessengers,SalutationsandPeacebeuponthem.Peacebeuponthem.Peacebeuponthem.Peacebeuponthem.

Commentary: [320]Commentary: [320]Commentary: [320]Commentary: [320]That is, the Lawgiverhasmade it compulsory upon those legallyresponsible -meaning those who have attained puberty and are sane - to familiarisethemselveswithwhathasbeenmentioned.Themeaningoffamiliarisation[marifah]iscertainty of a thing, in accordance with what comes from Allh, theMost High, oncondition that such certainty is arrived at by a source or proof. Certainty of a thingwithout a source or proof isnot termed certainty -whether this [321][321][321][321]isinaccordancewithwhatcomesfromAllhornot.Manyscholars inferfromthis thatimitation[taqld]inthesphereofbeliefisnotallowed.Byimitationismeantcertaintybasedontheviewofanotherwithoutreference tothesource.Thusan imitatordoesnothavecertaintyifthisispurelybasedontheviewofanother.Thereisadifferenceofopinionwithregardtothesoundnessofthefaithofanimitator[muqallid]and[thequestionof]hisinfidelity

and disobedience. The preferred opinion of some of the scholars is that a restrictedcertaintycanexistwithoutasourceorproofbuttheShaykhdifferswiththem.Allhsays:Know that there is no god but God.31Thus theMost High has commanded us todeclare the statement through evidence and proof. Imitation does not constituteknowledgewithHim.TheProphet,SalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim,Allhthe Most High has commanded [322][322][322][322] his servants, the believers, with what He hascommandedHisservants,theProphets.ItisindisputablyknownthattheProphetswerenot commanded through their being imitators but through their possessing certainty.AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.Text:Text:Text:Text: [108]Thereare twentyattributes[altogether]ofthatwhichnecessarilybelong to[108]Therearetwentyattributes[altogether]ofthatwhichnecessarilybelongto[108]Therearetwentyattributes[altogether]ofthatwhichnecessarilybelongto[108]Therearetwentyattributes[altogether]ofthatwhichnecessarilybelongtoourProtector,GloriousandourProtector,GloriousandourProtector,GloriousandourProtector,GloriousandHonouredHonouredHonouredHonouredisHe.isHe.isHe.isHe.

29i.e.ShaykhAbl-asanAlal-Ashar(260-324/873-935),theoriginalsystematizerofSunnidialectical

theology.30i.e. Shaykh Abd al-Mlik al-Juwayn (d. 478/1085), the Asharite theologian, the Imm of the Two

Sanctuaries of Makkah and al-Madnah (al-aramain) and the first head of the famed Nizmiyyah

AcademyinBaghdadforwhominfactitwasfounded.31Qurn47:19


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Commentary:[322]Commentary:[322]Commentary:[322]Commentary:[322]KnowthattheperfectionsthatnecessarilybelongtotheMostHigharecountless.Thelawhasnotobligateduswithknowing[allof]themfor,haditdoneso,suchanobligationwouldbeunendurable.ItisbythegraceofAllh,MostHigh,thatwe

are not obliged to do so. The MostHonoured, Most Glorious says: Allh does notburdenasoulexceptwiththatwhichitcanbear.32Bythisismeantexceptthatwhichiswithinitsstrengthinaccordancewithhabit.Hehas[only]obligateduswithsomeofthatwhichnecessarilybelongstoHim, theMostHigh.For thisreason, theauthor,Allh,theMost Highs, mercy be upon him, said of that which necessarily belong to ourProtector, [323][323][323][323] that is, of some33which are necessary. He did not say that arenecessary.Anattribute[ifah]isaquality[naat]and,undoubtedly,theMostHighcanonlybe[adequately]describedbyunlimitedqualitiesofGlory,BeautyandPerfection.Text:Text:Text:Text:[108]TheyareExistence[[108]TheyareExistence[[108]TheyareExistence[[108]TheyareExistence[alalalal----WujdWujdWujdWujd],],],],

Commentary:[323]Commentary:[323]Commentary:[323]Commentary:[323]TherecanbenodoubtingthissinceitisthroughexistencethattheHoly Being is described.Thus you say the Being of Allh is existent and existence[wujd]isthesource[ayn]ofbeingexistent[mawjd].Ifyouwishyoumaysayexistenceisthesameasbeingexistent.Whenyousaytheexistenceofsoandsoyoumeanhisbeing[dht],hisessence[ayn]andhisself[nafs].Being,essenceandselfhaveonemeaning.ExistenceisnotanattributeadditionaltotheBeing,likepower[qudrah]forinstance,butis rather one by which the Being is described. [This is] the perspective of Shaykh al-Ashari.Imamal-Rz34says,though,[324][324][324][324]thatexistenceisaqualitywhichisadditionaltotheBeing.Thedebatewillbelookedatagain,ifAllhwills.Text:Text:Text:Text:[108][108][108][108]Beginninglessness[Beginninglessness[Beginninglessness[Beginninglessness[AlAlAlAl----QidamQidamQidamQidam],Everlastingness[],Everlastingness[],Everlastingness[],Everlastingness[alalalal----BaqaBaqaBaqaBaqa],],],],

Commentary:[324]Commentary:[324]Commentary:[324]Commentary:[324]ThemeaningofBeginninglessnessistherejectionofnon-existencepriortoexistence.Itisnotaperceptible[mawjd]attributelikePower[qudrah].NoristheBeginninglessnessoftheMostHighpriorintermsoftimeastimeiscreated.TherewasAllh and nothing was with Him.Allh theMostHigh says: He is theFirst, theLast.35Non-existencedoesnot precedeHis Firstnessnor is thereany expiryto HisLastness.ThisisthemeaningofEverlastingness.Itis therejectionofnon-existencefollowingexistence.Itis[also]notaperceptibleattribute.Text:Text:Text:Text: [108] The Most High's Absolute Distinction to all that which is created [[108] The Most High's Absolute Distinction to all that which is created [[108] The Most High's Absolute Distinction to all that which is created [[108] The Most High's Absolute Distinction to all that which is created [alalalal----MukhlafalilMukhlafalilMukhlafalilMukhlafalilawdithawdithawdithawdith],],],],Commentary:[325]Commentary:[325]Commentary:[325]Commentary:[325]BythisismeanttherejectionofanylikenesstoHim,theMostHigh,inBeing,AttributesandActs.Allh,theMostHigh,says:NothingislikeHim,andHeistheAll-Hearing,All-Seeing.

32Qurn2:28633Myemphasis.34Viz. Imm Fakhr al-dn al-Rz (544-606/1149-1204) the prolific Asharite philosopher, theologian,

Qurniccommentatorandhistorian.35Qurn57:3


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Text:Text:Text:Text:[108]theSelf[108]theSelf[108]theSelf[108]theSelf----SubsistenceoftheMostHigh[SubsistenceoftheMostHigh[SubsistenceoftheMostHigh[SubsistenceoftheMostHigh[ qiymahbiqiymahbiqiymahbiqiymahbialalalal----nafsnafsnafsnafs],thatis,Hedoes,thatis,Hedoes,thatis,Hedoes,thatis,Hedoesnotneedacause[notneedacause[notneedacause[notneedacause[mamamamaallallallall]]]]noranoranoranoracharacterisercharacterisercharacterisercharacteriser[[[[mukhamukhamukhamukhaisisisis],],],],

Commentary:[325]Commentary:[325]Commentary:[325]Commentary:[325]Bycauseismeanta being[dht]andbycharacteriseradoer[fil].The meaning of Self-Subsistence is the rejection of any need by the Most High foranotherbeingthroughwhichHeisestablished-whichisanalogoustoanaccidentbeingestablishedthroughabody.ItisalsotherejectionofanyneedbytheMostHightohaveadoer.ForiftheMostHighwasinneedofabeingthroughwhichHewasestablished-likeanaccidentthatneedsabody-thenHemustbeanaccident,andthisisimpossible.IfHewas in need of a doer then He would be created and this is impossible, as will beexplainedinduecourse,ifAllhtheMostHighwills.[326][326][326][326]ThusitisnecessarythattheBeing of Allh must be described by an attribute of perfection, free from need ofanythingwhatsoeverofthecreation.Allh,theMostHighsays:Ohumankind!YouallareinneedofAllhandAllhistheSelf-Sufficient,ThePraised. 36AndAllh,theMost

High,says:AllhistheAbsolutely,IndependentlyEternal[amad].HebegetsnotnorisHebegotten.37ThemeaningofamadisHewhomallothersneed.Itisindisputablethat every created thing is in need of Him, theMost High, from its beginning andthroughoutitsduration.NoneistherethatdoesnotneedourProtector,MostGlorious,MostHonoured.Whentheintelligentpersonrealises thatheisneedofourProtector,theMostHigh,andthatbenefitorharmis[solely]throughtheHandofAllh,hecutsoffhis visionandattention [327][327][327][327] from thatwhich isother thanHim, and relies in all hismattersonHim.Hesubmitshiscountenance[ wajh]toHimanddoesnottrustinanyoneexceptHimaswhosoeverreliesonHimineverything,thenAllhshallsufficehim.Allh,the Most High, says: Whosoever trusts in Allh, then He shall suffice him.38TheProphet,SalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim,said:IfyoutrustinAllhtheway

Heshouldbe trusted,Hewouldhaveprovided for you likeheprovides for the birds.Theygooutinthemorninghungryandtheyreturnsatiated..Text:Text:Text:Text: [108][108][108][108] andandandandOneness [Oneness[Oneness[Oneness[WaWaWaWanyyahnyyahnyyahnyyah],thatis,thereisnootherlikeHim,inBeing,],thatis,thereisnootherlikeHim,inBeing,],thatis,thereisnootherlikeHim,inBeing,],thatis,thereisnootherlikeHim,inBeing,AttributesandActions.AttributesandActions.AttributesandActions.AttributesandActions. Commentary:[327]Commentary:[327]Commentary:[327]Commentary: [327]ThemeaningofOneness istherejectionofpartitioning [tarkb]intheBeingoftheMostHigh,andtherejectionofanylikenesstoHiminBeing,AttributesandActs.He, theMostHigh, isOne. It is impossible thatHe be divided[intoparts]because[328][328][328][328]onlyabodyormass[jirm]canbedividedandHe,theMostHigh,isneitherbodynoraccidentnorsubstance.NeitherisHeagenusthatisdivided.Rather,He,theMostHigh,isaBeingtobedescribedbythequalitiesofperfection.ThereforeitissaidwithregardtotherealityofthebeliefinOneness[Tawd]thatitistheaffirmationofaBeing that has no likeness in [other] entities, nor does [this affirmation] make theattributesinactive.ThereisnoBeingliketheBeingofAllh,GlorybetoHim,noname[ism]likeHisName,GloriousandHonouredisHe,andnoattributelike[an]AttributeoftheMostHigh,except through the co-incidenceofterminology.AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.

36Qurn35:1537Qurn112:2-338Qurn65:3


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Text:Text:Text:Text:[108[108[108[108----109]Theseare[thus]sixAttributes, the firstofwhich,namely,Existence, is109]Theseare[thus]sixAttributes, the firstofwhich,namely,Existence, is109]Theseare[thus]sixAttributes, the firstofwhich,namely,Existence, is109]Theseare[thus]sixAttributes, the firstofwhich,namely,Existence, istheEssentialAttributheEssentialAttributheEssentialAttributheEssentialAttribute[te[te[te[siftalsiftalsiftalsiftal----nafsyyahnafsyyahnafsyyahnafsyyah],followedbythefivenegativeAttributes.],followedbythefivenegativeAttributes.],followedbythefivenegativeAttributes.],followedbythefivenegativeAttributes.

Commentary:[328]Commentary:[328]Commentary:[328]Commentary:[328]ThismeansthatthefirstAttribute,namelyExistence,istheEssentialAttribute,thatis,Existenceis thesameas [329][329][329][329]Being-itbeingthesourceofBeing-aspreviouslyindicated.TheBeingofathingisitsrealitywiththeresultthatexistencehasthe same meaning as the existing Being. This is the view of Shaykh al-Ashar and itdiffersto thatofRz.Itispossibleto reconciletheseperspectivesby [saying]thattheviewofShaykhal-Asharrelatestothepercept[khrij]becausetherecanbenomeaningtoanexterior,evidentexistenceexceptasanexistentBeing.AndtheviewofRzrelatestotheconcept[dhahn],andnottothepercept,becausereasoncanconceiveofexistencebut cannot perceive that which is described by it. These two views are therefore inagreement.AndAllhknowsbest.Thefiveattributesthatcomeafterexistenceare[330][330][330][330]

negative,meaningeachonenegatesanattributethatdoesnotbefitHim,MostGlorious,Most Honoured. Thus Beginninglessness negates a non-existence prior to existence,Everlastingness negates a non-existence following existence, Absolute Distinctionnegates likeness, Self-Subsistence negates needing [another] being or a doer, andOneness negates any partner being ascribed toHim,MostHigh,whether adjoined orremoved.AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.Text:Text:Text:Text: [109]Thereafter [follows] sevenattributes that are necessary fortheMostHigh[109]Thereafter [follows]sevenattributes that are necessary for theMostHigh[109]Thereafter [follows] sevenattributes that are necessary fortheMostHigh[109]Thereafter [follows]sevenattributes that are necessary for theMostHighandwhicharetermedtheabstractedAttributes[andwhicharetermedtheabstractedAttributes[andwhicharetermedtheabstractedAttributes[andwhicharetermedtheabstractedAttributes[ sifatalsifatalsifatalsifatal----manimanimanimani],],],],Commentary:[330]Commentary:[330]Commentary:[330]Commentary:[330]Knowthateveryattributeexistsinitself,beingexistentintheBeing

oftheMostHigh[[[[qimabidhtihi].

39

Theyarecalledabstractedattributes.TextTextTextText:[109]namely,Power[[109]namely,Power[[109]namely,Power[[109]namely,Power[alalalal----QudrahQudrahQudrahQudrah],Will[],Will[],Will[],Will[alalalal----IrdahIrdahIrdahIrdah]]]] ----bothofwhichencompassallbothofwhichencompassallbothofwhichencompassallbothofwhichencompassallpossibilitiespossibilitiespossibilitiespossibilities----Commentary: [331]Commentary: [331]Commentary: [331]Commentary: [331] That is, Power is a perceptible attribute, beginningless with theBeginninglessness of Being, being existent in the Most Highs Being. Through it thebringinginandextinguishingofpossibilitiesisbroughtaboutinaccordancewiththeWill.Willisaperceptibleattribute,beingexistentintheBeingofAllh,theMostHigh.Thespecification [takhss] of the available possibilities - such as the specification of theirlength,reduction,whiteness,blacknessandsoforth-arebroughtaboutthroughtheWill.IntelligencedoesnotadmitthatthesetwoattributesrelatetootherthanpossibilitiesduetothefactthatamongthecharacteristicsofPowerisitsbringingintoexistenceaswellasitsextinguishingit.Thereforeitcannotbeappliedexcepttopossibilities. Itis similarlythecasewiththeWill.Amongitscharacteristicsisitschoosingtospecifythetime,[332][332][332][332]place, direction and so forthof thatwhich ispossible. Therefore, specification cannotrelate to that which is outside possibility. Therefore, it is necessary that these twoattributesarerelatedtoeverypossibility,withoutexception.AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.

39IhaveadaptedthisusagefromKellerwhorendersqaimabidhatihiasanattributeofHisEntity.See

N.M.H.Keller(1994)TheRelianceofTheRelianceofTheRelianceofTheRelianceoftheTravellertheTravellertheTravellertheTraveller,Beltsville,AmanaPublications,p.820.


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Text:Text:Text:Text:[109]Knowledge,whichencompassesallthatisnecessary,possibleandimpossible,[109]Knowledge,whichencompassesallthatisnecessary,possibleandimpossible,[109]Knowledge,whichencompassesallthatisnecessary,possibleandimpossible,[109]Knowledge,whichencompassesallthatisnecessary,possibleandimpossible,

Commentary:[332]Commentary:[332]Commentary:[332]Commentary:[332]Thatis,theMostHighsKnowledgeisaperceptibleattribute,beingexistent in the Being of theMost High, and by which every object of knowledge ismanifest, whether of the necessary, possible or impossible.He knows all the rules ofreasonthroughbeginninglessKnowledge.NotanatomsweightescapesHisKnowledgeandHeknowswhatwas,whatisandwhatwillbe,andwhatwillnotbe,thatis,[333][333][333][333]howthat,haditbeen,wouldhavebeen.NoobjectofknowledgeishiddenfromHim.TheMostHighsays:ItisWeWhocreatedman,andweknowwhatdarksuggestionshissoulmakes tohim: forWe arenearer to him thanthe jugularvein.40That is, nearness inKnowledge,notnearnessinphysicaldistance.Itissaidthatthejugularveinisaveinattheentranceoftheneckandthatitisconnectedtotheheart.Whenitisseveredthenapersondies.ThereisawarningforcreationinthisversebecauseiftheyknowthatAllh,

theMostHigh,isawareofwhattheirinnermostfeelingsconvey,andthatHerewardsorpunishesinaccordancewithwhatproceedsfromthemintermsofspeechoract,thenitnecessarilybehoovesathinkingpersontofearhisProtectorandtoeradicatehisdesiresandworldlyconcerns[334][334][334][334]since theMostHighseesandhearsHim.Knowledge isnotoneoftheeffecting[muaththara]attributesbutisadisclosingattribute[siftkashf].Forthis reason it is necessary that it be related to every necessity, possibility andimpossibility.Text:Text:Text:Text:[109]Life,whichdoesnot[needtobe]connectedtoanything,[109]Life,whichdoesnot[needtobe]connectedtoanything,[109]Life,whichdoesnot[needtobe]connectedtoanything,[109]Life,whichdoesnot[needtobe]connectedtoanything,Commentary:[334]Commentary:[334]Commentary:[334]Commentary:[334]Thatis,Lifedoesnotrequireanadditionalconnectiontoanything

elsetodemonstrateitspositionbutis[rather]theconditionforalltheattributes.Itisincontrasttothe[other]abstractedattributeswhichrequiresuchconnections.ThuspowerrequiresanadditionalconnectiontotheBeing,beingconnectedtoIt throughpossibilityandthisislikewisethecasewiththerestoftheabstractedattributes,exceptforLife.Itisa [335][335][335][335] perceptibleattribute, existing in theBeing ofAllh,MostHigh. And throughAllhcomessuccess.Text:Text:Text:Text:[109]HearingandSeeing,whichareconnectedtoallexistents,[109]HearingandSeeing,whichareconnectedtoallexistents,[109]HearingandSeeing,whichareconnectedtoallexistents,[109]HearingandSeeing,whichareconnectedtoallexistents,Commentary: [335]Commentary: [335]Commentary: [335]Commentary: [335] That is, the Hearing and the Seeing of the Most High togetherencompass every existent, irrespective of whether that existent is ancient [qadm] orrecent[hdith],whetheritisanessence,quality,voiceorotherthanthis.HetheMostHighseesandhearsessences[dhawt],colors,being[akwn],flavours,breaths,loveandhate,thewhole,theportionandtheparticularandwhatisintherecessesofthesoul,andallexistingaccidents.Youmayask:Howishearingrelatedtoavoicelessexistent[336][336][336][336]andwhatistheproofforthat?Thereplytothisisthattheproofwhichrelateshearingtoallexistentsisbothviatransmissionaswellasthroughreason.

40Qurn50:16


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As for transmission, it is theWordofAllh: AndAllh spoke toMoses.41VerilyIhavechosenyoufromamongstthepeoplewithMyMessageandwithMySpeech. 42TheverseisclearinshowingMoses,onwhombepeace,hearingHisbeginninglessWord.The

Speech of theMostHigh is not through lettersor avoice. Thus,if speechweretobeconfinedtovoice,thenitnecessarilyfollowsthatMoses,onwhombepeace,wouldnothaveheardtheSpeechoftheMostHigh.Thisnegatesrestrictinghearingtovoice[only]andmakesnecessaryitsrelationshiptoallexistents.[Now]ifsuchisthecaseofacreatedentitys hearing, then what must the case not be [337][337][337][337] with regard to BeginninglessHearing?!Andfor this reason, ifhearingwas toberestricted to thatwhichisvoiced,andwasnotrelated to anything else of thatwhich is existent, then it wouldnecessarily be alwayssubjecttothisrestriction,andtheonewhoissosubjectmustnecessarilybeanoriginatedexistent,sohowcanthisbe?!Thus,itnecessarilyfollowsthatitsconnectionmustbeto

everyexistent,asinthecaseofsight.AndHisHearingandSeeingisnotviabodilyorgansas with the case of creation, due to impossibilityof any likenessof theMost High tocreation.AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.Text:Text:Text:Text:[109]andSpeech,whichdoesnotconsistoflettersorsounds,anditrelatesto[109]andSpeech,whichdoesnotconsistoflettersorsounds,anditrelatesto[109]andSpeech,whichdoesnotconsistoflettersorsounds,anditrelatesto[109]andSpeech,whichdoesnotconsistoflettersorsounds,anditrelatesto allallallallthatisencompassedbythe[attributeof]Knowledge.thatisencompassedbythe[attributeof]Knowledge.thatisencompassedbythe[attributeof]Knowledge.thatisencompassedbythe[attributeof]Knowledge.Commentary:[337]Commentary:[337]Commentary:[337]Commentary:[337]Thatis,itisimpossiblethattheMostHighsBeginninglessWordbeofletters[338][338][338][338]orsoundsandwhatisimpliedbythem[suchasnotionsof]forwarding[taqdm], delay [takhr], stoppage, denuding [tajarrud], intonation [lan], expression[irb], public declaration [jir] and secrecy [sirr]. These are all characteristics of the

createdwhereastheMostHighsSpeechisaperceptibleabstractedattributeexistinginHisHolyBeingandwhichmanifestsdiverseexpressionssuchastheTawrah,theInjl,theZabrandtheFurqn.43TheseexpressionsarenotthesameastheMostHighsSpeechastheytakeplacethroughlettersandsounds.Rather,theselettersandsoundspointout[dallaal]theBeginninglessSpeechofAllh.NordoesHisSpeechbecomeincarnateinanyoftheBooksbutitexistsintheHolyBeing.Itisnotdispersedandthatwhichis[339][339][339][339]otherthanitcannotbedescribedastheSpeech[ofAllh].However,thelettersoftheQurn,forexample,initspointingouttheSpeechofAllh,isdesignatedastheSpeechofAllh,suchasthesayingofisha,Allhbepleasedwithher:Whatarebetweenthetwocoversofthebook[muaf]istheSpeechofAllh,theMostHigh.ForthisreasontheAlal-Sunnahwaal-Jamah,Allhbepleasedwiththem,areinconsensusthattheSpeechofAllhisreadwiththetongues,writtenincopies[masif]and preserved in the hearts [sudr]. Thus it is evident to you that while there isdisagreement[ikhtilf]withregardto[thenatureof]thepointingout[dallaal]oftheSpeechofGod,MostHigh,thereisnodisagreementwithregardtothefactthatthereisnodisparity[ikhtilf],norchange[tabdl],normodification[taghayyar]intheSpeechof

41Qurn4:16442Qurn7:14443TheseareGodsRevealedBooksto,respectively,Moses,Jesus,DavidandMuammad,uponthembe

peace.ThewordFurqn,meaningCriterionisoneoftheNamesoftheQurn.


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God.Rather,it isOne,anddoesnotmultiply.GlorybetoHimwhohasnolikeness inanythingandHeistheHearing,theSeeing.

Anexamplewillexplain[340][340][340][340]whatImean.Isay-andAllhistheHelper-thatwhentheSpeech of Allh is revealed in a similitude [mithl] - and to Allh belongs thehighestsimilitude-itisakintotheexampleofaman.Youpointoutthementionofthemanwithyour tongue and thus themention of theman is present on your tongue, but themanhimself is by no means on your tongue. This is recited with your tongue. And youpreserve the commandof theman in yourheart. If he ordersyouwithsomething, orprevents youfromsomething,or instillsin youfearof,orcompassiontowards, varioustypesofthingsyouwillpreservealloftheseinyourheart.Butthemanwhoordersorpreventsyouisbynomeansinyourheart.Thisisthemeaningofpreservationintheheart[maffial-udr].Youwritethenameofthemaninyourbook[341][341][341][341]andthusthenameofthemanisimmediatelyinyourbookbutthemanhimselfisbynomeansin

yourbook.This is themeaningofbeingwritten in copies.Therefore, donot takebothreading[qirah]andrecitation[tilwah]tobetheBeginninglessWordofAllh,MostHigh[perse]forsuchisnotthecase.Rather,theyarearticulationsthatpointouttheMost HighsSpeech. If recitation and reading were [equivalent to] the BeginninglessSpeechofAllh,theMostHigh,thentheSpeechofAllhwouldbecomeincarnateonthe tongue via the incarnation of reciting and reading it. And if the Speech of AllhbecomesincarnateonthetonguethenAllhbecomesincarnateinasmuchasHisSpeechisincarnated.ButindeedtheSpeechoftheMostHonoured,MostGloriousisrecitedinHisBeingandisnotdispersed.TheAhlal-Sunnah,Allhbepleasedwiththem,agreethat the Speech of Allh is not existent in two selves [dhtain] and more than onespokesmandoesnotspeakbyit.[342][342][342][342]NonespeaksbytheSpeechofAllhexceptAllh.

KnowthattherelationshipofrecitationandreadingtotheSpeechofAllh,MostHigh,touseanexample,isliketherelationshipoftheshadowtotheform.WhoeverthinksthatrecitationandreadingaretheBeginninglessSpeechofAllh,MostHigh,islikeamanwhothinkstheshadowaform.Hesays:Thisshadowisthesameastheform.KnowyouthatwhenyouheartheSpeechofAllh,MostHigh,fromapersonyouhearitrecitedandreadandthatifyouheartheSpeechofAllh,theMostHigh,inthenextworldyouhearitwithoutitbeingrecitedorread.Therefore,recitationandreadingoftheQurn 44applies to a human being whereas Lordship is transcendent, high above recitation,reading,[343][343][343][343]letters,soundsandlanguages.AndAllh,MostGlorious,MostHonoured[doesnotspeak]45vialettersandpronunciation.TheSpeechofAllhisonephenomenon[shaywid]bywhichcommand,prohibition,dreadandinducementareunderstood,andisnotinArabicfor,ifitwere,itwouldbealanguageamonglanguages.However,onlyitsrecitationisinArabic.NamingtheSpeechofAllhQurnisalinguistic[lughawyah]designation, not a technical one. If it is said: If the recitation is created what is themeaningoftheMostHighssaying:This(which)Wereciteuntotheeisarevelationandawisereminder.?46.Theansweristhatitiscarriedthrough47Jibrl,onwhombepeacewho is the reciter althoughHe ascribes [344][344][344][344]ittoHimself.AsAllh, theMostHigh,

44Thewordonp.3421stword2ndlastlineisunclearbutappearstobeQurn.45Thelastwordofthe1stlineonp.343isillegibleandmybracketedinsertionisdictatedbythecontext.46Qurn3:5847Thefirstwordonthelastlineofp.343isillegiblebutthemeaningisapparentfromthecontext.


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says,AndWesplittheearthinfragments. 48ItistheploughmenwhosplittheearthbutAllh,GlorybetoHim,attachesthat actiontoHimself.WhoeverclaimsthatAllh, theMostGlorious,Most Honoured, is reciting, then such a one has left the pathof the

Muslimsbecausethemeaningofrecitation[qirahwatilwah]accordingtotheAhlal-Sunnah, Allh be pleased with them, is the voice of the reciter and theMost Highsexpressionishighabove[theemploymentof]terminology.Fromhereitisunderstood,throughthegraceofAllh,theMostHighssaying:Say:TheHolySpirit[ ralquds]hasbroughttheRevelationfromyourLordintruth. 49TheHolySpiritisJibrl,onwhombepeace.Itissaidthatby[345][345][345][345]thisismeantthatJibrlwasintheregionoftheheavens[fauq]andheheardtheSpeechofAllhfromAllhoritwasrevealedtohimandhereceiveditfromthePreservedTablet.AndAllh,MostHonoured,MostGlorious,isnot[located]intheregionsoftheheavens.HemadeJibrlexpress[HisSpeech]toMuammad,the

Salutations and Peace of Allh be upon him, in the Arabic tongue, that which wasunderstood from the Speech of Allh, Most Honoured, Most Glorious, and itspreservation in the PreservedTablet.Hethen communicated50ittotheMessengerofAllh,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim,intheArabicidiomthoughthatwhichisexpressedisthe[beginningless]SpeechofAllhandthisisnotinArabic.Thisiswhatismeantbydescent[nuzl].The Speech of Allh, Most High, is connected to every necessity, possibility andimpossibilitylikeinthecaseofknowledge.Themeaningofconnecting[taalluq]isitspointingout[dallatihi].AnexampleofitspointingoutinthecaseofnecessityisHis,theMostHonoured,MostGlorious,saying:Say:HeisAllh,TheOne.[346][346][346][346]Allh-the

Absolute.

51

Oneness and Absoluteness [amadanyyah] are a necessity. And theAbsoluteisHeinwhomthatwhichisotherthanHetakerefuge.Allh,theMostHigh,says:Ohumankind.YouareallinneedofAllh.AndAllh-HeistheSelf-Sufficient,thePraised.52TherecanbenodoubtoftheneedforHimbyallthatwhichisotherthanHim.AnexampleofpointingoutinthecaseofimpossibilityisHis,theMostHighs,saying:Hebegetsnot.NorisHebegotten.AndthereisnonelikeHim.53Anexampleof pointing out in the case of possibility is theMost Highs saying: And your LordcreatesandchooseswhatHewills. 54Thisisbecausecreationisofthatwhichispossible.Thisisthemeaningoftheconnectednessofspeech.ThroughAllhcomessuccess.Theinferencetobedrawnfrom[theinstancewhen]Msa,Peacebeuponhim,heardtheSpeechofHisLord,isnotthatHewassilent,[347][347][347][347]andthenspoke.[Equally]HisSpeechdidnotceaseafter[Musa,onwhombepeace]heardit.Rather,themeaningisthatHe,

48Qurn80:2649Qurn16:10250Thewordaddahin the text (p. 345) appears tobe amistake for addh-meaning to giveor

communicateinthiscontext.51Qurn112:1-252Qurn35:1553Qurn112:3-554Qurn28:68


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theMostHigh,removedtheobstacle[tohishearing],enablinghimtohearHisSpeech,andthenreturnedtheobstaclethusendinghishearingofIt.

Text:Text:Text:Text: [109[109[109[109---- 110] Thereafter follows [another] seven attributes that are neces110] Thereafter follows [another] seven attributes that are neces110] Thereafter follows [another] seven attributes that are neces110] Thereafter follows [another] seven attributes that are necessary forsary forsary forsary forAllhandwhicharetermedthesignifyingattributes[Allhandwhicharetermedthesignifyingattributes[Allhandwhicharetermedthesignifyingattributes[Allhandwhicharetermedthesignifyingattributes[sifatsifatsifatsifatalalalal----manawyyahmanawyyahmanawyyahmanawyyah]andwhichare]andwhichare]andwhichare]andwhichareintrinsically connected to the preceding seven. They are theMost High's being Allintrinsically connected to the preceding seven. They are theMostHigh's being Allintrinsically connected to the preceding seven. They are theMost High's being Allintrinsically connected to the preceding seven. They are theMostHigh's being All----Powerful[Powerful[Powerful[Powerful[QdiranQdiranQdiranQdiran],All],All],All],All----Willing[Willing[Willing[Willing[MurdanMurdanMurdanMurdan],All],All],All],All----Knowing[Knowing[Knowing[Knowing[limanlimanlimanliman],theLivi],theLivi],theLivi],theLiving[ng[ng[ng[ayanayanayanayan],],],],AllAllAllAll----Hearing[Hearing[Hearing[Hearing[amamamam],all],all],all],all----Seeing[Seeing[Seeing[Seeing[BaBaBaBarrrr],andSpeaking[],andSpeaking[],andSpeaking[],andSpeaking[MutakallimMutakallimMutakallimMutakallim].].].].Commentary: [347]Commentary: [347]Commentary: [347]Commentary: [347] These are derivative attributes, that is, they derive from theabstractedattributes,andthisiswhytheyaretermedthesignifyingattributes.Theyarejoined to the abstracted attributes with the difference that whereas the abstractedattributes[348][348][348][348]arethenecessarydescriptionofthatwhichexistsinHisHolyBeing-ashasbeenexplained-thesignifyingattributesisthedescriptionbywhichthatBeingis

depicted.Theyarenotinherent[mawjdah]attributes-onlytheabstractedattributesaretheinherentones.It[consistsof]theMostHighsexercisingPower,expressingtheexistenceofPowerintheMostHighsBeing,theMostHighsbeingWilling,expressingthe existence of Will in the Most Highs Being, the Most Highs being Knowing,expressingtheexistenceofKnowledgeintheMostHighsBeing,theMostHighsbeingLiving,expressingtheexistenceofLifeintheMostHighsBeing,theMostHighsbeingHearingexpressingtheexistenceofHearingintheMostHighsBeing,theMostHighsbeingSeeing,expressingtheexistenceofSightintheMostHighsBeing,andtheMostHighsbeingSpeaking,expressingtheexistenceofSpeechintheMostHighsBeing.Itfollowsthat[349][349][349][349]themeaningofthesignifyingattributesarederivedfromtheabstractedattributes and cannotexist in the Being to the exclusion ofabstracted attributes.And

throughAllhcomessuccess.Text:Text:Text:Text:[110]Therearetwentyattributesthatareimpossibletoascri[110]Therearetwentyattributesthatareimpossibletoascri[110]Therearetwentyattributesthatareimpossibletoascri[110]TherearetwentyattributesthatareimpossibletoascribetotheMostHighbetotheMostHighbetotheMostHighbetotheMostHighand which are the opposite of the first twenty. They are: nonand which are the opposite of the first twenty. They are: nonand which are the opposite of the first twenty. They are: nonand which are the opposite of the first twenty. They are: non----existence [existence [existence [existence [alalalal----adamadamadamadam],],],],origination[origination[origination[origination[udth],udth],udth],udth],theoccurrenceofnontheoccurrenceofnontheoccurrenceofnontheoccurrenceofnon----existence,existence,existence,existence,Commentary: [349]Commentary: [349]Commentary: [349]Commentary: [349] After the Shaykh, Allh be pleasedwith him, has completed hisdiscussion of the twenty necessary attributes, [he begins discussing]55 the twentyimpossible attributes in the sameorder ashehas dealtwith the necessary ones.Thusnon-existence is the opposite of existence, origination is the opposite ofbeginninglessness, and the occurrence of non-existence, that is, its being overtaken[luq][bynon-existence],whichistheoppositeofeverlastingness.Text:Text:Text:Text:[110]similaritywiththecreationsuchasHisbeingabody,thatis,seeingHisHoly[110]similaritywiththecreationsuchasHisbeingabody,thatis,seeingHisHoly[110]similaritywiththecreationsuchasHisbeingabody,thatis,seeingHisHoly[110]similaritywiththecreationsuchasHisbeingabody,thatis,seeingHisHolyBeingasoccupyingameasureofspace,Beingasoccupyingameasureofspace,Beingasoccupyingameasureofspace,Beingasoccupyingameasureofspace,Commentary: [350]Commentary: [350]Commentary: [350]Commentary: [350] This is the explanation of similarity which is impossible and theoppositeofabsolutedistinction.Hementionsthatsimilarity isof various kinds,oneofwhich is that of body [jirm]. By body is meant that which is established in itself andoccupiesspace,suchasahumanbeing,forexampleandothersuchcreatedentities.Each

55Thetext(p.349)hastheconnectingphrasemissing.


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one of these is termed body. These entities gather in bodies, that is, in quantities[maqdir]whichoccupyspace.

Text:Text:Text:Text:[110]orHisbeinganaccidentthatsubsistsviaabody,[110]orHisbeinganaccidentthatsubsistsviaabody,[110]orHisbeinganaccidentthatsubsistsviaabody,[110]orHisbeinganaccidentthatsubsistsviaabody,Commentary: [350]Commentary: [350]Commentary: [350]Commentary: [350] This is also a type of impossible similarity, and that isHisMostHighsbeinganaccident.Themeaningofaccident[ ard]isathingthatsubsistsviaabodyand cannotbeestablished in itself. These [351][351][351][351] are things like colours, tastes, scents,voices,movement,andpause.Alloftheseareaccidents,itbeingimpossiblethattheyareestablished in themselves as they need a body for their establishment. It is thereforeknownthatallofcreationiseitherdesignatedasabodyoranaccidentand[itisfurtherknown]thatexistentsarerelatedtospace.Designation [in general] takes place according to four categories. The self-sufficient

category is independent ofan essence ordoer, this [category] being the BeingofourProtector,GloriousandHonoured.The[second]categoryisinneedofanessenceandadoerandisthecategoryofaccidents,namely,characteristicsestablishedthroughbodiesastheirindependencefromthelatterisimpossible.The[third]categoryisthatwhichisinneedofadoerbutisnotinneedofanessencebywhichitmustbecomeestablished,[352][352][352][352]thesebeingbodies.The[fourth]categoryispresentintheessenceanddoesneedadoerandtheseareHisAttributes,GloriousandHonoured.Text:Text:Text:Text:[110][110][110][110]orthatHebe[located]oppositeit [i.e.abody]orHisbeingdepictedbyitsorthatHebe[located]oppositeit [i.e.abody]orHisbeingdepictedbyitsorthatHebe[located]oppositeit [i.e.abody]orHisbeingdepictedby itsorthatHebe[located]oppositeit [i.e.abody]orHisbeingdepictedbyitsimagination,imagination,imagination,imagination,

Commentary:[352]Commentary:[352]Commentary:[352]Commentary:[352]HesaidthisintheKubr.

56

Text:Text:Text:Text:[110]orthatHe[110]orthatHe[110]orthatHe[110]orthatHeberelativetoabody,berelativetoabody,berelativetoabody,berelativetoabody,Commentary:[352]Commentary:[352]Commentary:[352]Commentary:[352]ThisisalsoatypeofimpossiblesimilarityandthatistheMostHighsbeing relative toa body. Thus it cannotbe said thatHe, theMostHigh, is above theThrone,orinfrontofitorbehinditbecauseallofthesearequalitiesofbodies,andHe,theMost High, is transcendent, high above that. Glory be toHim concerning whomnothingislikeHim,andHeistheAll-Hearing,theAll-Seeing.Text:Text:Text:Text:[110]orthatdirection[[110]orthatdirection[[110]orthatdirection[[110]orthatdirection[jihajihajihajiha]appliestoHim,]appliestoHim,]appliestoHim,]appliestoHim,Commentary: [353]Commentary:[353]Commentary: [353]Commentary: [353]This is alsoa type of impossible similarity, being theascription ofdirection toHim, becausedirection isof the particularities ofbodies that necessitateslength,limitation,right,leftandsoforthofthepropertiesofbodies.He,theMostHigh,isnotabody,andthusHecannotbedescribedbydirection-GloriousandHonouredisHe.WithregardtohewhobelievesthatdirectionappliestotheMostHigh,thenitissaidthat suchapersonhascommittedunbelief,but [anotherposition]saysthatsuchaonehasnotcommittedunbeliefbutheisasinfulinnovator[fsiqmubtadi].

56i.e.thisbeingoneoftheworksofShaykhSans.SeeBencheneb,op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.


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Text:Text:Text:Text:[110[110[110[110----111]orthatHeisboundedbytimeandspace,111]orthatHeisboundedbytimeandspace,111]orthatHeisboundedbytimeandspace,111]orthatHeisboundedbytimeandspace,Commentary:[353]Commentary:[353]Commentary:[353]Commentary:[353]Thatis,itisimpossiblethatHe,MostHigh,besettledintoaplace,

suchastheThrone,forexample,[354][354][354][354]becausespaceiscreated,andnonesettlesintoitexceptonewhoneedsit.Thus,He,theMostHigh,isnotsettledintoanycreatedthing,nordoesHeadjoinanything,orfaceanythingortouchanythingorfollowafterathing.IfourLordwassettledina space,thenHewouldbeinneedofthatspace. IfHewere inneedofthatspace,thenHewouldbeincapableofcreatingthatspaceorotherthanit.Threerelationshipsmustapplytoeveryexistentinspace:itmusteitherbesmallerthanthe space, in equal measure to it or bigger than it. Towhatsoever this description isapplicable,thensuchmustbejoinedinaplacetoabody.Itsexistencemustbeaboundedexistenceandnotanunrestrictedone.Abody[jirm]isnecessarilyasubstance[jism].

[355][355][355][355]Inasimilarway,weknowtheimpossibilityofHisexistencebeingrestrictedthroughtimebecauseunrestrictedexistenceiseternalandtimeiscreatedasitisanexpressionofmovementofthecelestialspheresoroftheconnectionofanoriginatedphenomenontoanotheroriginatedphenomenon.But there isnothingwithAllhandHe isnowasHealwayswas.GlorybetotheOnewhoisindependentofspaceandtime.Text:Text:Text:Text:[111]orthatHisHolyBeingcanbedescribedintermsofevents[[111]orthatHisHolyBeingcanbedescribedintermsofevents[[111]orthatHisHolyBeingcanbedescribedintermsofevents[[111]orthatHisHolyBeingcanbedescribedintermsofevents[awdith]orthat]orthat]orthat]orthatHecanbedescribedthroughsmallnessorbigness,orthatHecanbedescribedthroughHecanbedescribedthroughsmallnessorbigness,orthatHecanbedescribedthroughHecanbedescribedthroughsmallnessorbigness,orthatHecanbedescribedthroughHecanbedescribedthroughsmallnessorbigness,orthatHecanbedescribedthroughobjectivesin[His]actsandrules.objectivesin[His]actsandrules.objectivesin[His]actsandrules.objectivesin[His]actsandrules.Commentary:[355]Commentary:[355]Commentary:[355]Commentary:[355]Thatis,itisimpossiblethateventssubsistinHisBeing,orthatHebe

described through smallness or bigness or what is contained in those terms of types[akwn]andcolours[356][356][356][356] sincealloftheseare characteristicsofbodies.Similarly, theMostHighsdescriptionintermsofaccomplishinganobjective[ghar]throughHisactor ruling is impossible. He has no need to accomplish an objective in His doing ofanything,orinHispermittingorforbiddingathing.IfHehadneedofaccomplishinganobjective in anything, then He would be in need of the fulfilment of His objective[throughcreation].Needfulnessisalack[naqs]anditisimpossibleforHimtobelacking.AllhisSelf-Sufficientandyouareinneed. 57HeisnotaskedaboutwhatHedoesbuttheyareasked.58Text:Text:Text:Text:[111]Likewise,it isimpossiblefortheMostHighnottobeSelf[111]Likewise,it isimpossiblefortheMostHighnottobeSelf[111]Likewise, itisimpossiblefortheMostHighnottobeSelf[111]Likewise,it isimpossiblefortheMostHighnottobeSelf----Subsistentas[itsSubsistentas[itsSubsistentas[itsSubsistentas[itsopposite]isanattributethatrequiresacauseorneedsachopposite]isanattributethatrequiresacauseorneedsachopposite]isanattributethatrequiresacauseorneedsachopposite]isanattributethatrequiresacauseorneedsacharacteriser.aracteriser.aracteriser.aracteriser.Commentary:Commentary:Commentary:Commentary:[356[356[356[356]Youknow[357][357][357][357]fromwhathasbeensaidpreviouslythatthemeaningofSelf-SubsistenceisHisbeingnotinneedof[another]beingordoerandtheoppositeofthisisHisbeinginneedofsuchandthisisimpossibleaswewillexplain,ifAllhwills.Text:Text:Text:Text:[111[111[111[111----112]Equally,itisimpossiblefortheMostHighnottobeOne,otherwiseHis112]Equally,itisimpossiblefortheMostHighnottobeOne,otherwiseHis112]Equally,itisimpossiblefortheMostHighnottobeOne,otherwiseHis112]Equally,itisimpossiblefortheMostHighnottobeOne,otherwiseHisBeing willbe composite [Being willbe composite [Being willbe composite [Being willbe composite [murakkabmurakkabmurakkabmurakkab],orHis Being andHis acts will be resembledby],orHis Being andHis acts will be resembledby],orHis Being andHis acts will be resembledby],orHis Being andHis acts will be resembledby

57Qurn47:3858Qurn21:23


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somethingelse.It isalsoimpossiblethattherebewithHiminexistencesomethingelse.It isalsoimpossiblethattherebewithHiminexistencesomethingelse.It isalsoimpossiblethattherebewithHiminexistencesomethingelse.It isalsoimpossiblethattherebewithHiminexistenceanotherbeinganotherbeinganotherbeinganotherbeingwhoeffectsactions.whoeffectsactions.whoeffectsactions.whoeffectsactions.

Commentary:[357]Commentary:[357]Commentary:[357]Commentary:[357]IthasbeenexplainedthatthemeaningofonenessistherejectionofcompositenessintheMostHighsBeingandAttributes,andtherejectionofalikenesstoHiminBeing,AttributesandActs.Theoppositeofthis,whichistheabsenceofOnenessin[358][358][358][358]thesethreecategories,isimpossible.HeistheGoal[matlb].Text:Text:Text:Text: [112] It is also impossible for theMostHigh to be incapable of [effecting] the[112] It is also impossible for theMostHigh to be incapable of [effecting] the[112] It is also impossible for theMostHigh to be incapable of [effecting] the[112] It is also impossible for theMostHigh to be incapable of [effecting] thepossible,possible,possible,possible,Commentary:[358]Commentary:[358]Commentary:[358]Commentary:[358]ThisistheoppositeofpowerbecauseHisPoweractsfreelyoneverypossibility. If He is incapable of acting on [even] one possibility, then He wouldnecessarilyberestricted[mukhaas]andbeoftheoriginated.Thus,incapabilityonthe

partoftheMostHighisimpossible.Allh,theMostHigh,says:AndHehasPoweroverallthings.59Text:Text:Text:Text:[112]ortobringsomethingint[112]ortobringsomethingint[112]ortobringsomethingint[112]ortobringsomethingintobeingthatHedoesnotwanttoexist,or[tobringobeingthatHedoesnotwanttoexist,or[tobringobeingthatHedoesnotwanttoexist,or[tobringobeingthatHedoesnotwanttoexist,or[tobringintobeingsomething]throughnegligence[intobeingsomething]throughnegligence[intobeingsomething]throughnegligence[intobeingsomething]throughnegligence[dhuhldhuhldhuhldhuhl],forgetfulness[],forgetfulness[],forgetfulness[],forgetfulness[ghaflahghaflahghaflahghaflah],compulsion],compulsion],compulsion],compulsionorthroughnature[orthroughnature[orthroughnature[orthroughnature[abababab].].].].Commentary:[358]Commentary:[358]Commentary:[358]Commentary:[358]Thisistheoppositeofwill.ItisimpossiblethatAllh,theMostHigh,createssomethingwithout[359][359][359][359]theMostHighswillingsuchathing-sothattherebeinHisdominionsomethingHedoesnotwill[tobethere].Theauthorexpoundsonaversion[karha]becauseitisimpossiblethattherebethecreationofathinginaversion.Ithasto

becarefullydistinguishedfromlegalaversionwhichistheMostHighsforbiddingathingdespite His creation of it. Such aversion is compatible with the creation of actsaccompanyingitsuchasAllh,theMostHigh,lettingmanyofthecreationstraydespiteHis forbidding them from such straying [but they did it nonetheless]. Equally, it isimpossibleforAllh,theMostHigh,tobringathingintoexistencethroughnegligenceorforgetfulness.Similarly,itisimpossiblethatHisHolyBeingisamaterialcause[illah]forthecreationofathingorcreatesathinginnately.ThusitisnotsaidthatAllh,theMostHigh,createsthingsthroughHisnatureorthatHisHolyBeingisthematerialcauseof[360][360][360][360]thecreationofathing,forthisisimpossible.ForifAllh,theMostHigh,createsthingsthroughmaterialcauseorinnatenessthenthecreationwouldbepre-eternalforamaterial cause must be accompanied by an effect and be without a lag [takhr]. Anexample of this is the [consonance between the] movement of the fingers with themovementofthering.Themovementofthefingersisthecauseandthemovementoftheringisitseffect.Wheneverthefingersmove,theringmovesatthesametimewithoutanylag.Thus,iftheBeingisthematerialcauseofthecreationofthings,andthecreationofthings is the effect, then it is necessary that the universe be pre-eternal due to thebeginninglessnessof itscause,which is theBeing. [361][361][361][361]Thisissimilarlythecasewithcreation via themodeof innateness - thisnecessitates thepre-eternityoftheuniverse.ButnothingisbeginninglessexceptAllh,MostHonoured,MostGlorious.Thuscreation

59Qurn5:120;11:4;30:50;64:1;67:1


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viathemodesofmaterialcauseorinnatenessisvoidandthespecificmanner[tayn]ofcreationisthroughchoice[ikhtiyr].AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.

Text:Text:Text:Text:[112]Likewise,ignorance[112]Likewise,ignorance[112]Likewise,ignorance[112]Likewise,ignorance----andthatwhichisgenerallyknowntobeassociatedwithandthatwhichisgenerallyknowntobeassociatedwithandthatwhichisgenerallyknowntobeassociatedwithandthatwhichisgenerallyknowntobeassociatedwithitititit----isimpossiblefortheMostHigh.isimpossiblefortheMostHigh.isimpossiblefortheMostHigh.isimpossiblefortheMostHigh.Commentary:[361]Commentary:[361]Commentary:[361]Commentary:[361]Thisisalsotheoppositeofknowledge.ItisimpossiblefortheMostHigh to be ignorant andallwhich is signifiedby it, suchas supposition [ann], doubt[shakk], fancy [wahm], dullness [nawm] forgetfulness on His part, Most High, andcogitatingoverthings.Allofthesethingsareimpossible.Rather,He,theMostHigh,istheKnowerofeverythingthatwas,thatis,thatwillbeandthatwillnotbe,[362][362][362][362]withoutanyinvolvementofdoubt,supposition,cogitation,sourceorproof.SoGlorybetoHimregardingWhoseKnowledgenotanatomsweightintheearthandheavensescapes!60

TextTextTextText:[112][112][112][112]Soaredeath,deafness,blindness,dumbnessSoaredeath,deafness,blindness,dumbnessSoaredeath,deafness,blindness,dumbnessSoaredeath,deafness,blindness,dumbnessCommentary:[362]Commentary:[362]Commentary:[362]Commentary: [362]Theseare theoppositesofwhathasbeendiscussed.Thusdeathisthe opposite of life, deafness is the opposite of hearing, blindness is the oppositeofseeinganddumbnessistheoppositeofspeechaswellaswhatisimpliedofdumbnesssuchasHisSpeakingbeingthroughletters,voices,pause,melody,andexpressionsincealloftheseareofthecharacteristicsoforiginatedthings.Anditmustnotbesaid:Forwhat reason has the author, Allhs mercy be upon him, [363][363][363][363] spoken about theimpossibilityofdeathand soforthwhenthesearedeficienciesevenwith regardto thecreated,andcannotevenbecontemplatedwithregardtotheCreator,theGlorious,the

MostHigh?!TodescribetheFashioner through thesecannot evenbeimagined!Ourreply[tothisobjection]isthatnegatingdeficiencieswithregardtoHim,theMostHigh,iscorrectevenifitcannotbeimaginedthatHebedescribedthroughit.Theproof[forourview]ishis,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim,sayingthattheDajjlisone-eyedandyourLordisnotone-eyed. 61Andhis,theSalutationsandPeaceofAllhbeuponhim,saying:Donotcallononewhoisdeaf,blindandmute.IrathercallonOneWho is Hearing, Seeing and Speaking. Thus the adth instructs that negatingdeficiencieswithregardtoHimensurespropercompletion[kaml][oftheissue]evenifthesecannotbeimagined.Text:Text:Text:Text:[112]and,asisclearfromourdiscussion,theoppositesofthesignifyingattributes.[112]and,asisclearfromourdiscussion,theoppositesofthesignifyingattributes.[112]and,asisclearfromourdiscussion,theoppositesofthesignifyingattributes.[112]and,asisclearfromourdiscussion,theoppositesofthesignifyingattributes.Commentary:[364]Commentary:[364]Commentary:[364]Commentary: [364]That is, that ifyouknow theoppositesof theabstractedattributesyou will know the opposites of the signifying attributes. Of these, the opposite of theMostHighsbeingAll-PowerfulisHisbeingpowerless,theoppositeofHisbeingAll-WillingisHisbeingaverse,thatis,Hisbeingnotwilling,theoppositeoftheMostHighsbeingAll-KnowingisHisbeing ignorant,theoppositeofHisbeingLivingisHisbeingdead,andsoforth.AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.

60Cf.toQurn10:61;34:361Forthisadthseeal-Baghaw,op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.op.cit.volume2,p.1156


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Text:Text:Text:Text:[112]AsforwhatispossiblewithregardtothebeingoftheMostHigh,itis[His][112]AsforwhatispossiblewithregardtothebeingoftheMostHigh,itis[His][112]AsforwhatispossiblewithregardtothebeingoftheMostHigh,itis[His][112]AsforwhatispossiblewithregardtothebeingoftheMostHigh,itis[His]doingorleavingthatwhichispossible.doingorleavingthatwhichispossible.doingorleavingthatwhichispossible.doingorleavingthatwhichispossible.

Commentary: [364]Commentary: [364]Commentary: [364]Commentary: [364]When theauthor,Allh theMostHighsmercy beupon him, hascompletedthatwhichpertainsto thenecessaryandimpossible,he embarksonwhat ispossibleofHisacts.[365][365][365][365]HestatesthatwhatispossiblewithregardtoHim,MostHigh,isthedoingorleavingofwhateverisofthepossible[mumkin].Examplesofthecategoryof possibility include rewarding, punishing, the sending of Messengers, on them beSalutationsandPeace,thevisionoftheGenerousProtectorinParadiseandsoforthofthepossible.ThedoingorleavingofeverythingthatispossibleisnotobligatoryupontheMostHigh.Rather,thedoingofsuchisagracefromHim,theMostHigh,toHisservantandnonehasarightoverHim.NobodyisentitledtorewardbecauseofobedienceastheobedienceofanyonedoesnotbenefitHim.Furthermore,obedienceiscreatedbyAllh,and [His] servants do not participate in it except in earning [iktisb]. No [necessary]

effect is generated by such obedience.62

Reason may admit the existence or non-existenceofeverythingthathascomedownfromtheLawgiver,includingthatofwhichHehasinformedusconcerning[366][366][366][366]rewardandpunishment,priortothecomingoftheLaw. But after its coming, acceptance becomes necessary through the Law and notthroughreason.AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.Text:Text:Text:Text:[112[112[112[112----113]Theproofforthenece113]Theproofforthenece113]Theproofforthenece113]TheproofforthenecessaryexistenceoftheMostHighistheoriginationssaryexistenceoftheMostHighistheoriginationssaryexistenceoftheMostHighistheoriginationssaryexistenceoftheMostHighistheorigination[[[[udthudthudthudth]oftheworld.]oftheworld.]oftheworld.]oftheworld.Commentary:[366]Commentary:[366]Commentary:[366]Commentary:[366]Proof[burn]isclearevidence.Originationistheexistenceoftheworldafteritsnon-existence.EveryexistentbesidesAllh,theMostHigh,is[termed]the

world. Theworld,whichhasafataonthe lm [lam],iseverythingthatexistsofthatwhichiscreated,anditisevidencefor[therebeing]theFashioner,MostHigh.Text:Text:Text:Text:[113][113][113][113]ThisisbecauseifitdidnothaveanOriginatorbutoriginatedbyThisisbecauseifitdidnothaveanOriginatorbutoriginatedbyThisisbecauseifitdidnothaveanOriginatorbutoriginatedbyThisisbecauseifitdidnothaveanOriginatorbutoriginatedbyitself,thenititself,thenititself,thenititself,thenitmustbecommandedbyoneoftwoequallyapplicablerules[mustbecommandedbyoneoftwoequallyapplicablerules[mustbecommandedbyoneoftwoequallyapplicablerules[mustbecommandedbyoneoftwoequallyapplicablerules[amrainamrainamrainamrain]:itcaneitherbethe]:itcaneitherbethe]:itcaneitherbethe]:itcaneitherbethesameas its cause [or] preponderant over it [by] havingno causesameas its cause [or] preponderantover it [by] havingnocausesameas its cause [or] preponderant over it [by] havingno causesameasitscause[or]preponderantoverit[by]havingnocause----[bothof]whichare[bothof]whichare[bothof]whichare[bothof]whichareimpossible.impossible.impossible.impossible.Commentary:[367]Commentary:[367]Commentary:[367]Commentary:[367]Afteryouknowthattheoriginationoftheworld,whichisthatwhichisotherthanAllh, isa prooffor theexistenceof theFashioner,MostGlorious,MostHonoured,andthatthisevidencecannotbeannulledexceptthroughthenegationoftheworldby itself,theauthor[then]argues theimpossibilityoftheexistenceoftheworldbyitself.Hesaysthatifitcameintoexistencebyitselfthenitarosefromoneoftwoequalpossibilities [before it], namely existence or non-existence - these being equal[possibilities]inrelationtoitspossessorandtherebeingno63preponderanceofoneovertheother.Bythisismeantthatexistenceandnon-existenceareofequalweight-theworldcanadmiteitherofexistenceornon-existenceinequalproportions [368][368][368][368]withoutpreponderance[tarj][ofoneovertheother].Iftheworldcouldcreateitself,thenitis

62I.e.Obedience does not automatically cause reward as an effect. Obedience and its effect are both

entirelycreatedandcontingentuponthewillofGod.63Thetextomitsthenotwhichisclearlyanoversight.


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necessarysomethingequal[existenceornon-existence]bepreponderantwithoutacause,andthisisimpossible.Thenitisnecessarythatthecreatoroftheworldbeotherthanit.ThatotherisAllh,theMostHigh.Thustheimpossibilityoftheexistenceoftheworld

byitselfismadecleartoyou.Rather,itisinneedofotherthanitinthedesignationofitsexistenceasagainstnon-existenceduetothisbeingequaltoit,inthedesignationofitsspecified space as against all other spaces, in the designation of its specified time asagainst all other times, in the designation of its specified measure [miqdr] [369][369][369][369] asagainstallothermeasures,inthedesignationofitsspecifiedqualityasagainstallotherqualities.Allofthesethingsareequal[inpossibility]becausetheirexistenceisequaltotheir non-existence. Their specified measure is equal to all other ranges. Thus, theirparticularisationandpreponderancepointstoonewhogivesthempreponderanceoverotherthanthemandthatisAllh,MostHonoured,MostGlorious.Theanalogyofascalebalancecanclarifythis.Onecannotfillonescalewithwhatisin

the other without increasing the former and decreasing the latter. And to hold thepreponderance [in weight] of both of them is contradictory, like the contradictionbetweentheexistenceofa thinganditsnon-existence.Ifweweretowitnessthesescalesaftertheascendedoneagaindescendsandtheotherhasrisen,[370][370][370][370]thenweknowtheirstates aresubstituted.Thedescended one has risenand the risen one has descended.[However]wedonotknow:wasthereanincreaseintheweightthatdescended,orwasthereadecrease[inweight]oftheother?Thatishiddenfromusduetoourbeingthereintheaftermath.64Butwehavecertainknowledgethatitcouldnothavehappenedexceptthroughacausewhichincreasedtheweightinthatwhichdescendedordecreasedtheweight from theone that rose. Ifweput itbeforeour intellects that ithadnocauseofoccurrence,wewillfindourintellectsvehementlydisavowingsuchanotion.

The existence andnon-existenceof the world are like the scales. Ifweknow that theworldwasnon-existent, andweknowthat itsnon-existencehasbeenoutweighedby itsexistence,thenwewouldknowforsure[371][371][371][371]thatitwasduetoacauseoftheoccurrenceby which the antecedent existence became preponderant over the preceding non-existence.Thusitiscleartoyouthatwhateverhappens,itscomingintobeingisduetoacauseandthatCauseisAllh,theMostHigh,theUniqueandAlone[munfarad]inthecreationofallexistence.AndthroughAllhcomessuccess.Text:Text:Text:Text:[113]Theprooffortheoriginatednatureoftheworldliesinitsdependenceon[113]Theprooffortheoriginatednatureoftheworldliesinitsdependenceon[113]Theprooffortheoriginatednatureoftheworldliesinitsdependenceon[113]Theprooffortheoriginatednatureoftheworldliesinitsdependenceonoriginatedaccidents[originatedaccidents[originatedaccidents[originatedaccidents[ ararararaaaapl.pl.pl.pl.ardardardard]sucha]sucha]sucha]suchasmotion,stillnessandsoforth.Anaccidentsmotion,stillnessandsoforth.Anaccidentsmotion,stillnessandsoforth.Anaccidentsmotion,stillnessandsoforth.Anaccidentisalwaysaccompaniedby[another]accident.Theprooffortheoriginatednatureofanisalwaysaccompaniedby[another]accident.Theprooffortheoriginatednatureofanisalwaysaccompaniedby[another]accident.Theprooffortheoriginatednatureofanisalwaysaccompaniedby[another]accident.Theprooffortheoriginatednatureofanaccidentis its changingfromnonaccidentis itschangingfromnonaccidentis its changingfromnonaccidentisitschangingfromnon----existenceintoexistenceandfromexistenceintononexistenceintoexistenceandfromexistenceintononexistenceintoexistenceandfromexistenceintononexistenceintoexistenceandfromexistenceintonon----existence.existence.existence.existence.Commentary:Commentary:Commentary:Commentary:[371][371][371][371]Aftertheauthor,Allh,theMostHighs,mercybeuponhim,hasmentionedthattheoriginationoftheworldisevidenceoftheMostHighsexistence,hementionstheevidencefortheoriginationofthesubstances[ ajrm]oftheworld.[372][372][372][372]Itsevidenceisitsrequirementfororiginatedaccidentsbecauseit isimpossibletodisengagethe substances of the world from accidents such as movement and pause. These

64Literally,liajlibud-duetotheinterval.


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originated accidents are changeable as witnessing them proves. If they werebeginningless, it would be necessary that they do not become non-existent. This isbecausewhateverisproventobebeginningless,itsnon-existenceisimpossible.Whenits

originatednatureandinseparabilityfromsubstancesisproven,thenthis,withoutdoubt,necessitatestheoriginatednatureofsubstancesbecauseitisimpossibleforasubstanceto be free of [an accident]. And the inseparability of an originated being is with[somethingelse]originated.Text:Text:Text:Text:[113[113[113[113----114]Theproofof theMostHigh'snecessaryBeginningles114]Theproofof theMostHigh'snecessaryBeginningles114]Theproofof theMostHigh'snecessaryBeginningles114]Theproofof theMostHigh'snecessaryBeginninglessnessis that ifHesnessisthatifHesnessisthatifHesnessisthatifHewasnotwithoutabeginningthenHemusthavebeenoriginatedandthusbeinneedofwasnotwithoutabeginningthenHemusthavebeenoriginatedandthusbeinneedofwasnotwithoutabeginningthenHemusthavebeenoriginatedandthusbeinneedofwasnotwithoutabeginningthenHemusthavebeenoriginatedandthusbeinneedofanoriginatoranoriginatoranoriginatoranoriginator65656565whichleadsto[theproblemof]circularityandconsecutiveness[whichleadsto [theproblemof]circularityandconsecutiveness[whichleadsto [theproblemof]circularityandconsecutiveness[whichleadsto [theproblemof]circularityandconsecutiveness[dawrwadawrwadawrwadawrwatasalsultasalsultasal

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Commentary on Al-`Aqidah al-Sanusiyya [Matn Umm al-Barahin]