The Beneficial Message and the Definitive Proof in the Study of Theology

by Muhammad Salih Farfur, Wesam Charkawi (Translator)

Genres: Theology, Islam

318 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Wayfarer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book i'd rather give a 4-star rating but I've opted instead for a 5-star rating due to the scarcity of books covering this topic in such a manner in the English language. The book covers the full range of core topics related to/with Aqeedah, covering all the fundamental issues as espoused by Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jamma. Although, this book ideally should be used as a reference for students who either have already or are studying Aqeedah under the direction or tutelage of an expert scholar in this field, as the book contains many obscure passages and obscurities that have not been adequately cleared up even by the addition of supplementary materials. There are also opinions which are either weak or not relied-upon that have been used to demonstrate the mainstream Ahl al-Sunnah position, which is not entirely a true representation. On second thoughts I have revised my rating to a 4-star. The book does a good job overall considering the dearth out there - but be warned, if you are a lay-reader what you read is not always the full reality, so take it with a pinch of salt! Also, for the learned readers the frustration of mixing to obscurity the positions of the Maturudi and Ashari schools respectively, and lack of consistency in presenting and distinguishing them for each of the topics discussed is a failing which would firmly place this work in the 'popular reads' category as opposed to an 'academic read'. Good, but not good enough - may God forgive us our shortcomings.