Sharh Tahawiyyah Page 288
If you have ever been asked, “If Allah has written everything, then why punish someone for what Allah made them do?”—you will find the classical answer on page 288. The answer is not a logical syllogism to satisfy the philosopher. Instead, it is:
In the study of Islamic theology (Aqeedah), few texts hold the status of Al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah. Written by Imam Abu Ja'far at-Tahaawi (d. 321 AH), it serves as a baseline for orthodox Sunni belief. However, the text is often brief, which led to the famous commentary (Sharh) by Ibn Abi al-‘Izz al-Hanafi (d. 792 AH).
On page 288 of the standard contemporary print, the reader encounters one of the most crucial and debated sections of the creed: The Attributes of Highness (Uluww) and Istawa (Rising over the Throne). sharh tahawiyyah page 288
This page serves as a theological fortress, defending the belief that Allah is distinct from His creation and that He is above the Heavens, established upon His Throne in a manner that befits His Majesty.
The theological exposition of Imam Abū Ja‘far al-Ṭaḥāwī (d. 321 AH) remains one of the most authoritative summaries of Sunni creed. Its commentary by Ibn Abi al-‘Izz (d. 792 AH), Sharḥ al-‘Aqīdah al-Ṭaḥāwiyyah, provides a rigorous Hanafī (and broadly Salafi-oriented) elaboration. On page 288 of standard Arabic editions, the commentary typically addresses a pivotal question: How can human beings be held accountable for their actions if Allah has decreed everything? If you have ever been asked, “If Allah
Before turning to page 288, understanding the text’s nature is crucial. Imam al-Tahawi wrote his creed as a response to the theological disputes of his time, primarily between the Mu'tazilites and the anthropomorphists. His work is a masterful summary of the beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah, particularly through the lens of the Hanafi school.
Ibn Abi al-'Izz's commentary, however, is unique. While he was a Hanafi jurist, his theological inclinations leaned heavily towards the Salafi methodology, particularly the doctrines of Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728 AH). Thus, Sharh Tahawiyyah by Ibn Abi al-'Izz is not a pure Hanafi-Maturidi commentary; rather, it’s a text that often critiques the Ash'ari and Maturidi schools while upholding a literal, Athari approach to the divine attributes. Written by Imam Abu Ja'far at-Tahaawi (d
Page 288 (the exact page number varies slightly by edition—Cairo 1955, Mu'assasat al-Risalah, or modern printings like Dar al-Salam) typically falls within the section discussing Allah’s Attributes (Sifat), specifically the debate around al-Jihah (direction) and al-Hayyiz (space or place).