It appears that this treatise was one of the replies the Shaykh composed for the people of Tadmur⦗1⦘. Though concise, it is among the finest and most comprehensive writings he produced on its subject.

For that reason I seek Allah’s help to tidy its scattered parts, bring its sections together, and make its meanings accessible to the reader—adding whatever the need requires and omitting whatever may be dispensed with, in a way that does not compromise the intended aim⦗2⦘. I have called it: “Abridgement of al-Tadmuriyyah.”

I ask Allah, exalted is He, to make my work purely for His sake, pleasing to Him, and beneficial to His servants; indeed, He is Most Generous, Most Kind.

Explanation of the Reason for Composing this Tadmuriyyah

The author clarified why he wrote the treatise when he said: “To proceed: Those whose request I must answer have asked me to write down the substance of what they heard from me in certain gatherings concerning tawḥīd and the divine attributes, and concerning the Law and predestination.”

He then justified the obligation to respond with two reasons:

1. The pressing need to establish these two fundamentals, for thoughts on them inevitably arise in the heart and require that guidance be distinguished from misguidance.