Fourth: As for the writer’s claim that Ibn Abī al-‘Izz discredited Imām al-Tahāwī’s words and assumed the guise of an advocate for the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamā‘ah (the people of the Sunnah and the community), this is slander and falsehood intended to turn people away from this great book and valuable work, unrivalled in its field. It truly demonstrates its author’s abundant knowledge, extensive learning, sound and pure creed, and upright conduct and approach. Praise be to Allah, its benefits have spread far and wide, its renown has grown, and its value has proved immense. Countless people have benefited from it. Perhaps this is due to its author’s sincerity and good intentions; Allah knows best.
In his book, he followed the path of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamā‘ah and adhered to their example. They revere the truth and give it precedence over people’s statements. They accept only what agrees with the Quran and Sunnah, rejecting everything else, whoever says it. It is the truth that they revere and give precedence to: “Anyone’s words may be accepted or rejected, except those of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace.”
Accordingly, Ibn Abī al-‘Izz did not declare al-Tahāwī mistaken or discredit his words, as the writer alleged. Rather, he explained what was true and correct concerning a few matters in which he considered al-Tahāwī to have erred. Al-Tahāwī was not infallible; he was a human being who could be wrong or right. Examples include his clarification of the correct definition of faith, his observations on al-Tahāwī’s statement, “And those who possess it are equal in its foundation,” and a few other matters. Scholarly authors regard this as a merit of Ibn Abī al-‘Izz: he did not cling fanatically to his imam’s position, but sought the truth and set forth what was correct, even if it differed from his imam’s view. This is the very essence of justice and fairness.
- On p. 6, the writer quotes Mullā ‘Alī al-Qārī’s commentary on al-Fiqh al-Akbar (p. 172) as describing Ibn Abī al-‘Izz, the commentator on al-Tahāwī’s creed, as follows: “He holds a false doctrine and follows a group of innovators.”