Before examining the page, it's essential to understand the importance of the original work and its most famous commentary.
This page is a signpost. It tells the student: You have reached the limit of the mind. From here, submit. It prevents the common intellectual disease of trying to “solve” Qadr as if it were a mathematical equation. Al-Qari’s tone on this page is pastoral and cautionary, guiding the student away from arrogance and toward humility.
:On page 288, Ibn Abi al-Izz famously cites Imam Abu Hanifa . When asked about a person who says, "I do not know whether my Lord is above the heavens or on earth," the Imam responded that such a person becomes an apostate. This is because Allah says: "The Merciful has ascended above the Throne" (Surah Ta-Ha 20:5).
Understanding these concepts and terms is essential for a deeper comprehension of Islamic theology as discussed in texts like Sharh Tahawiyyah. sharh tahawiyyah page 288
So, open your copy of Sharh al-Tahawiyyah (the authenticated edition by Shu‘ayb al-Arna’ut, or the standard Maktabah al-Bushra print). Turn to page 288. Read al-Qari’s warnings. And thank Allah for a creed that respects both revelation and reason—and knows exactly where the line between them lies.
Abu Hanifa replied that such a person commits a severe violation of creed (often cited as falling into apostasy or extreme deviance) because Allah says in the Qur'an: "The Most Merciful rose over the Throne"
Instead, the author reaffirms the position of the Salaf (the Pious Predecessors). He posits that Istawa means a literal "rising" or "ascension," but one that is: Before examining the page, it's essential to understand
In the vast ocean of Islamic theological literature, few texts command the reverence of Al-'Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah by Imam Abu Ja'far al-Tahawi (d. 321 AH). This concise yet profound exposition of Sunni orthodoxy has been the subject of countless commentaries. Among them, the Sharh al-'Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah by Ibn Abi al-'Izz al-Hanafi (d. 792 AH/1390 CE) stands as one of the most widely read and debated.
This is a specific request referencing — 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.
We affirm what Allah and His Messenger affirmed without falling into tashbih (comparing Allah to creation) or ta'til (denying His attributes). Digging Deeper From here, submit
. Denying that the Throne is above the heavens contradicts the explicit layout of the cosmos and the divine text presented in the Qur'an and Sunnah. 🔍 Key Themes & Analysis 1. Affirmation of the Divine Attributes without Modality ( cap T a t h b i t
"I do not know whether my Lord is above the Heavens or on Earth." The Verdict:
Who completely stripped Allah of His names and attributes ( Ta'til ), arguing that affirming them limits His perfection.