By this point in the text, Ibn Abi al-‘Izz has already established Allah’s absolute will, knowledge, and creation of all actions — good and evil. The opponent’s objection is classical: if Allah created the act of disbelief, how can He punish the disbeliever? On page 288, the commentator synthesizes the Sunni middle path between the Mu‘tazilī (who denied Allah’s creation of human acts) and the Jabarī (who denied human agency entirely).
To avoid anecdotal claims, here is how you can access and verify the content:
In the widely circulated Maktabah al-Bushra edition (and its equivalents), page 288 falls within the commentary on the Qadr section. Here, ‘Ali al-Qari addresses three critical issues that often plague Muslim discussions of fate and free will:
📚 Focus: Sharh at-Tahawiyyah (Page 288)
Have you ever wondered why some people accept the truth while others reject it, even though the Message is clear?
On page 288 of the explanation of Al-‘Aqidah at-Tahawiyyah, Ibn Abi al-‘Izz delves into one of the most delicate and crucial discussions in theology: The distinction between the Universal Will (Al-Iradah Al-Kawniyyah) and the Legislative Will (Al-Iradah Ash-Shar’iyyah).
🔹 The Two Types of Will
🔹 The Key Insight from Page 288
The author explains that the confusion for many lies here: Does Allah want disbelief to exist?
The answer requires distinguishing the two:
🔹 Guidance and Misguidance
This page clarifies that Guidance (Hidayah) is in the hand of Allah alone. He guides whom He wills by His bounty, and He leads astray whom He wills by His justice.
The people of truth (Ahl us-Sunnah) affirm:
"Whatever Allah wills, is; and whatever He does not will, is not."
This reality humbles the heart. It reminds the believer that their faith is not merely a result of their own intellect or status, but a gift from Allah’s Generosity.
💡 Lesson: Understanding this distinction saves a person from falling into two extremes:
The Balance: We act and choose, but our ability to act is created and willed by Allah. sharh tahawiyyah page 288
🤲 Dua: O Turner of hearts, make our hearts firm upon Your religion.
Tags: #Aqeedah #Tahawiyyah #IslamicTheology #Qadar #DivineWill #Tawheed #IslamicKnowledge #SharhTahawiyyah #Guidance
Page 288 of the Sharh al-Aqeedah at-Tahawiyyah commentary by Ibn Abi al-Izz addresses the theological decree of God, emphasizing that all occurrences are written in the Preserved Tablet. It outlines that Divine foreknowledge and the decree are immutable, distinguishing between fatalism and trust in God's providence. For a review of this text, visit Internet Archive Full text of "Sharh Aqeedah Tahawiyyah" - Internet Archive
Page 288 of Ibn Abi al-Izz's commentary on the Tahawiyyah creed covers the transcendence of
and the location of the Throne, quoting Imam Abu Hanifah regarding the belief that
is above the heavens. The passage emphasizes that Allah's essence is above the Throne while His knowledge is ubiquitous, and it addresses the theological implications of denying the Throne's location.
Sharh Tahawiyyah page 288 is not merely a pagination reference; it is a symbol of the ongoing, vibrant, and necessary theological discourse within Sunni Islam. It forces the reader to engage with profound questions: Where is Allah? How do we balance the literal texts with the transcendence demanded by reason? And can two sincere Sunni scholars read the same page and arrive at different conclusions?
Whether you are a student of 'aqidah, a debater, or simply a Muslim seeking clarity, this page demands careful, respectful study. It reminds us that our pious predecessors did not shy away from difficult questions—they tackled them with the Qur'an, Sunnah, and sound intellect, leaving behind a rich heritage for us to navigate.
As you turn to page 288 of Sharh Tahawiyyah, remember: you are not just reading a commentary; you are stepping into a 1,200-year-old conversation about the majesty of the Creator, a conversation that remains as relevant today as ever.
Further Reading Recommendation: Compare Ibn Abi al-'Izz’s commentary on page 288 with the original text of al-Tahawi. Also, consult a traditional Maturidi commentary, such as Al-Maydan’s Sharh al-Tahawiyyah or Qari al-Harawi’s Sharh, to see the alternative interpretive tradition.
Page 288 emphasizes that Allah is not everywhere in essence. The commentary clarifies that Allah’s "Highness" (Uluww) is an attribute of His Essence (Dhat). He is above the seven heavens, above His Throne.
To support this, the text usually cites a battery of scriptural proofs found on this page:
Ibn Abi al-‘Izz argues that this Hadith establishes the validity of asking "Where is Allah?" and that the answer ("In the heaven/Above the Throne") is a pillar of faith.
Al-Tahawi warns that reflecting on Qadr leads to “destruction.” On page 288, al-Qari provides the Hadith evidence for this:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Do not debate about predestination, for indeed it is the secret of Allah. Do not announce it to the people.” (Narrated by al-Tabarani).
Furthermore, al-Qari cites the famous incident of the Prophet forbidding the Companions from disputing about Qadr, as those before them (the Qadariyyah who denied predestination) were destroyed by it. By this point in the text, Ibn Abi
For the student of theology, page 288 is a lesson in intellectual humility. It teaches that the human mind is not the arbiter of truth; rather, the Revelation is the judge. The Highness of Allah is a matter of divinely reported truth that inspires awe—He is above the Throne, controlling the affairs of the universe, yet closer to the believer than their jugular vein through His knowledge and mercy.
This page stands as a testament to the balance of the Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah: affirming what Allah
The primary commentary associated with page 288 is Sharh al-Aqida al-Tahawiyya Ibn Abi al-Izz al-Hanafi
. In most standard editions and English translations (such as those found on Archive.org IslamHouse ), this page falls within the critical section discussing Iman (Faith) and Islam Core Subject: The Relationship Between Iman and Islam
On or around page 288, the author addresses the theological definition of faith and whether it differs from submission (Islam). Definition of Iman : The text explores the classical debate on whether
includes "works" (actions) or if it is solely comprised of internal belief and verbal testimony. The Hanafi Perspective : Ibn Abi al-Izz explains the position of Imam Abu Hanifah
and his followers, who traditionally argued that works are not an integral part of the of faith, though they are necessary requirements. Reconciling Differences : The author notes that many scholars of
and jurists include works in the definition of faith. He argues that while there is a technical difference in definition, the practical difference is often minimal, as both sides agree that sinners are subject to God's will and that faith is not valid without basic submission. Key Theological Points Covered Increase and Decrease of Faith
: The discussion typically extends to whether faith increases with obedience and decreases with sin. The Status of the Sinner : It reinforces the central principle that no Muslim becomes a
(disbeliever) simply by committing a sin, unless they deem that sin to be lawful. Linguistic vs. Legal Meanings
: The write-up delves into the linguistic roots of the words
to clarify why different scholars used different terminology. Context of the Work
: Ibn Abi al-Izz (d. 792 AH) was a Hanafi jurist who sought to align the creed with the methodology of the
(early generations), often drawing from the works of Ibn Taymiyyah.
: The book serves as the most widely studied commentary on the original short creedal statement ( ) written by Imam al-Tahawi (d. 321 AH). specifically, or are you looking for a detailed breakdown of the arguments regarding faith vs. works? Full text of "Sharh Aqeedah Tahawiyyah" - Internet Archive
This blog post focuses on the commentary (Sharh) of Imam Ibn Abi al-Izz al-Hanafi 🔹 The Key Insight from Page 288 The
on the Aqeedah al-Tahawiyyah, specifically around page 288 of common editions (like the Al-Risalah or Dar al-Salam prints).
Exploring the Unseen: Insights from Sharh al-Tahawiyyah Page 288
At this point in the text, the commentary typically delves into the Realities of the Afterlife, specifically focusing on the creation and eternity of Paradise and Hell. 🌟 Key Themes on Page 288
The discussion centered on this page often addresses the fundamental Sunni belief that Paradise and Hell are already created and will never perish.
Existence is Now: Unlike some philosophical groups that claim they will only be created on the Day of Judgment, the text affirms they exist at this very moment.
The Prophetic Vision: Reference is often made to the Mi’raj (Night Journey), where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described seeing the dwellers of both realms.
Eternal Nature: The commentary refutes the idea of the "extinction of Hell" (Fana al-Nar), emphasizing that Allah’s justice and mercy are eternal. 🛡️ Why This Matters Today
Understanding these specific pages helps a student of knowledge ground their faith in revelation over pure rationalism.
Refuting Innovations: It clarifies the stance of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah against historical deviations.
Building Certainty: Knowing these realms are already created strengthens a believer's Yaqeen (certainty) in the unseen.
Motivation for Deeds: The vivid descriptions cited in the Sharh serve as a spiritual "carrot and stick" for the soul.
💡 Quick Fact: Imam Ibn Abi al-Izz was a 14th-century Hanafi scholar who sought to return the Hanafi school to the creed of the early Salaf through this very commentary. If you'd like to dive deeper, let me know:
Which edition or publisher are you using? (The page numbers can shift slightly between Dar al-Salam, Mu'assasah al-Risalah, etc.)
This is a specific request referencing "Sharh Tahawiyyah page 288" — most likely referring to Sharḥ al-‘Aqīdah al-Ṭaḥāwiyyah by Ibn Abi al-‘Izz al-Ḥanafī (or possibly a modern commentary). Since I don’t have the exact text of that page in front of me, I will write a general academic essay based on the typical content found around that section of the commentary. Page 288 often falls within the discussion of Divine Decree (al-Qadr), human free will, and the nature of actions — a core topic in Islamic theology.
If you provide the specific passage or edition, I can tailor it exactly. For now, here is a model essay: