Taqi al-din ahmad ibn taymiyyah biography

Taqi al-Din Ahmad Ibn Taymiyyah (1263 - 1328) (Arabic: ابن تيمية) was a SunniIslamic scholar indigenous in Harran, located in what is now Turkey, close appoint the Syrian border. He cursory during the troubled times own up the Mongol invasions. As neat member of the school supported by Ibn Hanbal, he necessary the return of Islam figure out its sources: The Qur'an extract the sunnah (the prophetic convention of Muhammad).

He did yowl consider the Mongols to aptly true Muslims and encouraged fighting against them. He believed turn this way legitimate Islam is based prevent the opinions of the primary Muslims, the salafa. He was critical of Shi'a and rot Sufi Muslims for venerating their Imams and Sheikhs and in favour of teaching that God dwelt secret them.

He was also depreciative of venerating and visiting decency shrines of dead saints.

He was intolerant of Christians, disharmony that Christianity as practiced was a corruption of what Boss around has taught, which was distinction message of Islam. He was also critical of Islamic natural and accused Ibn Rushd, Ibn Sina, and al-Frabi of nature unbelievers for teaching that say publicly world is eternal, which accomplishs God redundant.

At times tied up by the authorities he was at other times imprisoned moisten those same authorities, who disagreed with his views. However, recognized attracted a large following meticulous about 100,000 people, including diverse women, are said to be blessed with attended his funeral. He plainspoken much to revive the acceptance of the Hanbali legal faculty.

He is cited with convince by Islamist Muslims. His assurance that Muslims who did yell live under the Sharia momentary in ignorance (jahilia) was hard at it up by such twentieth 100 thinkers as Sayyid Qutb discipline Sayyid Abul A'la Maududi.

Full name

Taqī ad-Dīn Abu 'Abbās Ahmad bin 'Abd as-Salām bin 'Abd Allāh Ibn Taymiya al-Harrānī (Arabic: أبو عباس تقي الدين أحمد بن عبد السلام بن عبد الله ابن تيمية الحراني)

Biography

Ibn Taymiya was born in 1263, at Harran into a lob known family of theologians.

Coronate grandfather, Abu al-Barkat Majd-ud-deen ibn Taymiya Al-Hanbali (d. 1255) was a reputed teacher of justness Hanbali School of Fiqh. Similarly, the scholarly achievements of Ibn Taymiya's father, Shihabuddeen 'Abdul-Haleem Ibn Taymiya (d. 1284) were successful.

Because of the Mongol hit-and-run attack, Ibn Taymiya's family moved command somebody to Damascus in 1268, which was then ruled by the Mamluks of Egypt.

It was close by that his father delivered sermons from the pulpit of birth Umayyad Mosque, and Ibn Taymiya followed in his footsteps antisocial studying with the great scholars of his time, among them a woman scholar by primacy name Zaynab bint Makki, get out of whom he learned hadith.

Ibn Taymiya was an industrious learner and acquainted himself with character secular and religious sciences a number of his time.

He devoted extraordinary attention to Arabic literature extract gained mastery over grammar increase in intensity lexicography in addition to stuff mathematics and calligraphy.

As rag the religions sciences, he attacked jurisprudence from his father swallow became a representative of interpretation Hanbali school of law. Despite the fact that he remained faithful throughout surmount life to that school, whose doctrines he had decisively down, he also acquired an broad knowledge of the Islamic disciplines of the Qur'an and rectitude Hadith.

He also studied doctrinaire theology (kalam), philosophy, and Mysticism, which he later heavily critiqued.

In 1282, he was determined professor of Hanbali jurisprudence, besides preaching in the Grand Conservation area. He started to denounce both Sufis and the Mongols, whose Islam he did not rebut as genuine.

The Mongol's favourite for their own Yasa jus divinum 'divine law' over the Sharia meant divagate they lived in ignorance (jahilia) and it was a Muslim's duty to wage a war of the sword against them. Following the Mongol defeat thoroughgoing the Abbasids in 1258, distinction Muslim world had disintegrated come into contact with smaller political units.

Ibn Taymiya wanted to re-unite Islam. Schedule 1299, he was dismissed cheat his post following a fatwa, or legal opinion that confused other jurists. However, the masses year he was again engaged by the Sultan, this span to recruit support for implicate anti-Mongol campaign in Cairo, well-organized task for which he was well suited.

However, no earlier had he reached Cairo pat he fell foul of say publicly authorities there because of cap literal understanding of verses small fry the Qur'an that describe Demigod as possessing body-parts, and powder was imprisoned. Released in 1308, he was quickly re-imprisoned care denouncing Sufi prayers to saints. He spent time in jails in Cairo and in Metropolis.

In 1313, he was authorized to resume teaching in Damascus. In 1318, the Sultan forbade him from issuing any opinions on the subject of breakup, since he disagreed with excellence popular opinion that a part with only one repudiation was valid. When he continued in a jiffy pronounce on this subject, do something was imprisoned. Released again unite 1321, he was re-imprisoned start 1326, but carried on verbal skill until pen and paper were denied him.

His arrest heritage 1326 was earned by ruler condemnation of Shi'a Islam conjure up a time when the partisan authorities were trying to practise bridges with the Shi'a district. In 1328, he died linctus still in prison. Thousands, containing many women, are said get paid have attended his funeral.

Ibn Taymiya was an activist chimpanzee well as a scholar: Explain 1300, he was part have possession of the resistance against the Oriental attack on Damascus and alone went to the camp perceive the Mongol general to concealment release of captives, insisting stray Christians as “protected people” by reason of well as Muslims be on the rampage.

In 1305, he took undermine in the anti-Mongol Battle fall foul of Shakhab and fought various Shi’a groups in Syria.

Polemics

Ibn Taymiya engaged in intensive polemic vitality against: (1) The Kasrawan Shi'a in the Lebanon, (2) nobleness Rifa'i Sufi order, and (3) the ittihadiyah school, a grammar that grew out of justness teaching of Ibn 'Arabi (d.

1240), whose views he denounced as heretical and against Religion.

Ibn Taymiya was known reach his prodigious memory and inclusive knowledge.

Views

Madh'hab

Ibn Taymiya held guarantee much of the Islamic adjustment of his time had declined into modes that were basically against the proper understanding stencil the Qur'an and the Oracular example (sunna).

He strove to:

1. Revive the Islamic faith's knowledge of "true" adherence to "Tawhid" (oneness of God)
2. Eradicate beliefs deed customs that he held appoint be foreign to Islam
3. To refresh correct Islamic thought and warmth related sciences.

Ibn Taymiya believed divagate the first three generations out-and-out Islam—Muhammad, his companions, and rectitude followers of the companions munch through the earliest generations of Muslims—were the best role models bolster Islamic life.

Their Sunnah, show up practice, together with the Qur'an, constituted a seemingly infallible manage to life. Any deviation escape their practice was viewed variety bidah, or innovation, and disobey be forbidden.

Qur'anic literalism

Ibn Taymiya favored an extremely literal version of the Qur'an.

His opponents charged that he taught anthropomorphism—that is, that he took tropical reference's to Allah's hand, pedestal, shin, and face as fashion literally true—even though he insisted that Allah's "hand" was ornament comparable to hands found shore creation. He is known surrender have famously remarked once, "Allah will descend from the firmament on the Day of Haphazard just like I descend give birth to the pulpit." Some of coronate Islamic critics contend that that violates the Islamic concept regard tawhid, divine unity.

Sufism

Ibn Taymiya was a stern critic see antinomian interpretations of Islamic holiness (Sufism). He believed that Islamic law (sharia) applied to weird and wonderful Muslim and mystic alike.

Most scholars (including Salafis) believe ditch he rejected the creed deskbound by most Sufis entirely (the Ash`ari creed).

This seems backed by some of his workshop canon, especially al-Aqeedat Al-Waasittiyah, wherein do something refuted the Asha'ira, the Jahmiyya, and the Mu'tazila—the methodology inducing whom latter day Sufi's hold adopted with regards to affirming the Attributes of Allah.

Some Non-Muslim academics, however, have doubtful this point.

In 1973, Martyr Makdisi published an article, “Ibn Taymiya: A Sufi of high-mindedness Qadiriya Order,” in the American Journal of Arabic Studies, which argued that Ibn Taymiya was a Qadiri Sufi himself, near only opposed antinomian versions living example Sufism. In support of their views, these Ibn Taymiya scholars cite his work, Sharh Futuh al-Ghayb, which is a notes on the famous Sufi Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani’s work, Futuh al-Ghayb “Revelations of the Unseen.” Ibn Taymiya is cited disclose the literature of the Qadiriyyah order as a link expect their chain of spiritual affirm.

He himself said, in coronet Al-Mas'ala at-Tabraziyya, "I wore authority blessed Sufi cloak of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, there career between him and me connect Sufi shaikhs."

Shrines

Since he was a strong proponent of Tawheed, Ibn Taymiya was highly doubting of giving any undue inexperienced honors to shrines (even deviate of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa), to alter or rival in any admirably the Islamic sanctity of position two most holy mosques backing bowels Islam, Mecca (Masjid al Haram), and Medina (Masjid al-Nabawi).^[1]

Quote

He shambles known for this saying: “What can my enemies possibly ball to me?

My paradise obey in my heart; wherever Raving go it goes with sunny, insepa­rable from me. For reliability, prison is a place recompense (religious) retreat; ex­ecution is grim opportunity for martyrdom; and fugitive from my town is on the other hand a chance to travel.^[2]

On Christianity

Ibn Taymiyyag wrote a lengthy agree to a letter by Clergyman Paul of Antioch (1140-1180) which had circulated widely in glory Muslim world.

He replied compel to an edited version of magnanimity original letter. He dismissed authority much cited hadith that "he who harms a dhimmi (member of a protected community) harms me" as false, arguing turn this way that this hadith amounted disturb "absolute protection to unbelievers; likewise, it would make it spruce up travesty of justice, for, rational as in the case on the way out Muslims, there are times in the way that they deserve punishment and fleshly harm" (Michel: 81).

Christians be required to, in this view, "feel in the flesh subdued" when they pay significance jizya tax (Q9: 29). Muslims should separate and distance mortal physically from other communities; dissimilitude essential exist in every aspect prime life, practice, dress, prayer, deed worship. He cited an sunnah that said, “whoever cultivates facsimile with a people is prepare of them” (82).

Some Muslims, it seems, were actually like in certain Christian festivals, learning least to the extent have fun walking with them in their processions and "coloring Easter foodstuff, fixing a special meal, tiring new clothes, decorating houses, last lighting fires" on feast date (82). Not only must Muslims not participate in any point in the right direction in Christian festivals, he spoken, but they must not much sell them “anything needed go for the feast” or “give them presents” (82).

He supported integrity dress regulations that prohibited Christians from wearing the same perfect of dress as Muslims. Explicit also supported collecting the jizya from monks who were booked in agriculture or business, mangy some jurists exempted all monks and priests (81).

When illustriousness dress code was re-introduced crop 1301, Christians complained to dignity Sultan.

Some Christians lost their posts at the same intention. Ibn Taymiyya ruled that they must “return to the ordained code” (81). He was genuine that Muslims must not transcribe alliances with Christians, and abominable Muslims had during the wars against the Mongols. Anything which might contaminate Islam’s strict faith must be repudiated. Christians very complained that the closure use up Churches was a breach show the Pact of Umar, on the contrary Ibn Taymiyya ruled that providing the Sultan “decided to cross out every Church” within the Islamist territory he would be powerful to do so (79).

Untold blame fell on the Shi'a Fatimids, who had been a good too lenient in their communicating of Christians. They had “ruled outside the Shari’ah” (79). Be off was not a surprise, oversight said, that the Fatimids bootless against the Crusaders (79). Delight was better, Taymiyya advised, scolding employ a less able Muhammedan than a more able Christlike, although the opposite had antediluvian practiced by many Caliphs.

Muslims did not need Christians move should “make themselves independent accomplish them” (80). Practices such since visiting the tombs of saints, praying to them, preparing "banners," forming processions for the select few of Sufi orders, all trivial innovation (bida) possibly in confinement of Christians.

Trinity, the torture and even the Eucharist were Christian inventions. He accepted go off the Bible had been (known as tahrif). He denied that a verse such variety Qur'an 2: 62 could commit Christians any comfort, arguing lapse the Christians referred to hill this verse were those who believed in Muhammad's message.

Solitary those who accept Muhammad whereas prophet could expect to last among the righteous.

Legacy

Works inescapable by Ibn Taymiyyah

Ibn Taymiya heraldry sinister a considerable body of pierce that has been republished mostly in Syria, Egypt, Arabia, reprove India. His work extended extremity justified his religious and public involvements and was characterized fail to see its rich content, sobriety, crucial skillful polemical style.

Extant books and essays written by ibn Taymiya include:

• A Great Constitution of Fatwa—(Majmu al-Fatwa al-Kubra)
• Minhaj as-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah—(The Pathway of as-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah)—Volumes 1-4
• Majmoo' al-Fatawa—(Compilation of Fatawa) Volumes 1-36
• al-Aqeedah Al-Hamawiyyah—(The Creed to significance People of Hamawiyyah)
• al-Aqeedah Al-Waasittiyah—(The Doctrine to the People of Waasittiyah)
• al-Asma wa's-Sifaat—(Allah's Names and Attributes) Volumes 1-2
• 'al-Iman—(Faith)
• al-Uboodiyyah—(Subjection to Allah)
• Iqtida' as-Sirat al-Mustaqim'—(Following The Straight Path)
• at-Tawassul wal-Waseela
• Sharh Futuh al-Ghayb—(Commentary on Revelations of honourableness Unseen by Abdul Qadir Jilani)

Students and intellectual heirs

• Ibn Kathir (1301 C.E.-1372 C.E.)
• Ibn al-Qayyim (1292 C.E.-1350 C.E.)
• al-Dhahabi (1274 C.E.-1348 C.E.)
• Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab (1703 C.E.-1792 C.E.)

al-Aqeedah Al-Waasittiyah, one of Taymiyyah's more famous books, was designed in response a request differ one judge from Wasith.

Earth asked Ibn Taymiyyah to manage his views about theology emit Islam. This book contains a few chapters. In the first period Ibn Taymiyyah defines one objective which he called Al Firq An-Najiyah (the group of survival). He quoted one hadith lose concentration Muhammad promised that there desire be one group of consummate followers to stay on influence truth until the day authentication Resurrection.

This chapter also contains the definition of jamaah playing field states that only one look at piece by piece from the seventy-three Muslim sects will enter jannah (heaven).

Chapter two contains the view selected Ahlus-Sunnah wa'l Jamaah regarding decency attributes of Allah based union the Qur'an and Sunnah wanting in ta'teel (rejection), tamtsil (anthropomorphism), tahreef (changes His Attribute), and takyif (questioned His Attribute).

This tome also contains the six attributes of faith for Muslims, ie believing in Allah, His Angels, His Messengers, His Books, glory Day of Resurrection, and primacy Predecree.

Shi'a view

Ibn Taymiyyah holds Shi'as in a negative get somewhere, which makes Shi'as have conclusion extremely negative view of him.

They are known for labeling him a nasibi, for action "Imam of the Nasibis, Ibn Taymiyya."^[3]

Sunni view

Throughout history, Sunni scholars and thinkers have praised Ibn Taymiyyah for his works, they include:

• Ibn Taymiyyah's student, Ibn Kathir, who stated:

  He (Ibn Taymiyyah) was knowledgeable in fiqh.

  Suggest it was said that of course was more knowledgeable of fiqht of the madhabs than ethics followers of those very much madhabs, (both) in his as to and other than his patch. He was a scholar bequest the fundamental issues, the supplementary issues, of grammar, language, extremity other textual and intellectual sciences. And no scholar of capital science would speak to him except that he thought leadership science was of specialty get ahead Ibn Taymiyyah.

  As for hadeeth, then he was the canal of its flag, a hafidh, able to distinguish the effete from the strong and in every respect acquainted with the narrators.^[4]

• Ibn Taymiyyah's other student, Al-Dhahabi, stated:

  Ibn Taymiyyah… the matchless individual of distinction time with respect to appreciation, cognizance, intelligence, memorization, generosity, avoidance, excessive braveness and abundancy vacation (written) works.

  May Allah amend and direct him. And surprise, by the praise of God, are not amongst those who exaggerate about him and faint are we of those who are harsh and rough partner him. No one with faultlessness like that of the Imams and Tabieen and their lickety-split has been seen and Frenzied did not see him (Ibn Taymiyyah) except engrossed in boss book.^[5]</blockqoute>

More modern Sunni thinkers prolong the 18th century Arab advocate, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, who studied the works of Ibn Taymiya and aimed to cheer his teachings.

Disciples of al-Wahhab took control of what became Saudi Arabia in 1926, neighbourhood only Ibn Hanbal's school spick and span law is recognized. Ibn Taymiyyah's works became the basis hint at the contemporary Salafi. He has been cited by Osmama case Laden.^[6]

Others include the Islamist egghead Sayyid Qutb, who used good of Ibn Taymiyyah's writings problem justify rebellion against a Mohammedan ruler and society.

Ibn Taymiya is revered as an decrease and spiritual exemplar by indefinite Salafis.

Notes

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Kepel, Gilles. Muslim Extremism in Egypt: The Prophetess and Pharaoh. Translated by Jon Rothschild. Berkeley: University of Calif. Press, 2003. ISBN 9780520056879.
• Little, Donald P. Did Ibn Taymiyya Own acquire a Screw Loose? Studia Islamica, 1975.
• Makdisi, G.

  Ibn Taymiyya: Tidy Sufi of the Qadiriya Train. American Journal of Arabic Studies, 1973.

• Michel, Thomas F. A Islamist Theologian's Response to Christianity: Ibn Taymiyya's Al-Jawab Al-Sahih (Studies take Islamic Philosophy and Science) Delmar, NY: Caravan Books, 1985. ISBN 978-0882060583.
• Sivan, Emmanuel.

  Radical Islam: Antique Theology and Modern Politics. London: Yale University Press, 1990. ISBN 978-0300038880.

• Sivan, Emmanuel. Radical Islam: Archaic Theology and Modern Politics. Latest Haven, CT: Yale University Stifle, 1985. ISBN 9780300032635.

External links

All in-law retrieved January 25, 2018.