What is your opinion on the book “Risālat Istihsān al-Khawḍ fī ʿIlm al-Kalām” authored by Sheikh Abu al-Hasan al-Ashʿari, and on Sheikh Abdullah al-Harari, known as al-Habashi, who is referred to in the book's introduction, and on the Naqshbandi and Shadhili orders, which he is said to follow, given that they are rejected by scholars?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
"Ilm al-Kalam (Islamic scholastic theology) is an intrusion upon Muslims, and the Imams have warned against it. The treatise 'Istihsan al-Khawd fi Ilm al-Kalam' (Commending Engagement in Ilm al-Kalam) is of doubtful attribution to Abu al- al-Ash'ari; it is more likely attributed to a later Ash'ari scholar, or it was authored by him during his period as a Mu'tazilite. As for the Habashi group, it deepens disagreements among Muslims and stirs up theological problems, which has led to the tearing apart of Muslim unity in Lebanon."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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