A Treatise on the Principles of Faith
Authored by: Abū al-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn ʿAbd al-Ḥalīm ibn Taymiyyah al-Ḥarrānī

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.

Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah sanctify his soul—was asked:

Is it permissible to delve into those questions within the principles of faith about which people have spoken, even though nothing has been transmitted from our Master Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, concerning them? If it is said to be permissible, on what grounds—especially when we understand from him, peace be upon him, a prohibition against discussing certain matters?

If the answer is that it is permissible, is such inquiry obligatory? Has anything been transmitted from him, peace be upon him, that makes it mandatory? Is it sufficient for the mujtahid to reach a dominant probability, or must he arrive at certainty? If certainty proves unattainable, is he excused, or is he nonetheless legally charged with it? In that state, would this amount to imposing what is beyond one’s capacity, or not?

And if it is said that it is obligatory, what is the wisdom behind the Lawgiver’s not providing a text that would safeguard people from danger, even though the Prophet, peace be upon him, was eager for his community’s guidance? Allah knows best.