[Faungarne]

Asalaamu Alaikum,

inshallah I'd like to write a paper (10-20 pages) on the different approaches to "anthropomorphic" phrases in the qur'an/hadith--nothing too serious, just something good to apply to grad school with. Can anyone recommend any good books or academic articles on this topic--whether arguing for a particular side, or giving an overview of different approaches. I'd appreciate works by BOTH traditional Muslim scholars as well as academics (Muslim or not). JazakumAllahu khair!

[phpfoxmods]

Salam. There are no 'anthropomorphic' phrases in the qur'an / hadith. There are some sects who are anthropomorphists due to their faulty understanding of qur'an / hadith.

[Faungarne]

Salam. There are no 'anthropomorphic' phrases in the qur'an / hadith. There are some sects who are anthropomorphists due to their faulty understanding of qur'an / hadith.

JazakAllahu khair for pointing that out brother--I should have phrased that better. I should say, any good resources on different approaches to those phrases with which some sects have wrongly understood to support anthropomorphic understandings of Allah (SWT)? Alhamdulillah, i understand tafwid and ta'wil are the only acceptable approaches, but arguing that wouldn't really be the goal of my paper ( at least I don't think so now); I simply want to present the development of those three most popular approaches (tafwid, ta'wil, literalist understanding)--but I'm not sure there are any comprehensive English resources on this?

[uphokyhuP]

JazakAllahu khair for pointing that out brother--I should have phrased that better. I should say, any good resources on different approaches to those phrases with which some sects have wrongly understood to support anthropomorphic understandings of Allah (SWT)? Alhamdulillah, i understand tafwid and ta'wil are the only acceptable approaches, but arguing that wouldn't really be the goal of my paper ( at least I don't think so now); I simply want to present the development of those three most popular approaches (tafwid, ta'wil, literalist understanding)--but I'm not sure there are any comprehensive English resources on this?

al-Asma' wa al-Sifat of al-Bayhaqi is probably your best bet.

[opergolon]

al-Asma' wa al-Sifat of al-Bayhaqi is probably your best bet.

Is it available in English?
I think he is only looking for English resources.

[uphokyhuP]

Is it available in English?
I think he is only looking for English resources.

Didn't realize that; sorry. I think most graduate programs in Islamic Studies require a working knowledge of Arabic, though.

[phpfoxmods]

as-salamu `alaikum

There are some excerpts from that translated by Dr. GF Haddad. Anyway some books in English which may help you are :

1) The Refutation of him [Ibn Taymiyya] who attributes direction to Allah
Al Raddu ala Man Qala bil Jiha
Qadi Ibn Jahbal Al- Kilabi

2) The Attributes of God (Daf' Shubah al-Tashbh)
By Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Jawzi,
Translation, notes & Appendices By: Abdullah bin Hamid 'Ali
Introduction By Dr Khalid Blankinship

3)A Return to Purity in Creed
By Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali
Translated By Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

[asharbiq]

^ ^

1 and 3, definitely yes. 2 is very good also but can be difficult to read for some because of the way it's put together.

[NudiJuicervich]

Walakum As Salam

I simply want to present the development of those three most popular approaches (tafwid, ta'wil, literalist understanding)--but I'm not sure there are any comprehensive English resources on this ?

You might want to look into the work of the late Professor George Makdisi; Professor Jonathan A. Brown also has a paper published which briefly touches upon this topic and he's easily accessible by email.

If you search on JSTOR there is an article which may be useful called "Orthodoxy and Hanbalite Fideism" written in the Journal Arabica.

[Faungarne]

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions, jazakumAllahu khair! Br. Godilali, you are right that most require a working knowledge of Arabic, which Alhamdulillah I can say I have, but unfortunately "working knowledge" for classical works probably means flipping through the dictionary way too often Thanks again for your input everyone, I'll definitely look into these inshallah.

[phpfoxmods]

You may also be interested in:

Muslims Schism and Sects / Al-Farq bayn al-Firaq
Imam Abd al-Qahir al-Baghdadi

The Definitive Proof In The Study Of Theology
Muhammad Salih Farfur
Translation & Notes by Wesam Charkawi

A Commentary on the Creed of Islam
Sa'd al-Din al-Taftazani on the Creed of Najm al-Din al-Nasafi

Kitab al-irshad ila qawati al-adilla fi usul ati tiqad
A Guide to Conclusive Proofs for the Principles of Belief
By Iman al-Haramayn al-Juwayni
Translator Paul E. Walker

[asharbiq]

You may also be interested in:

Muslims Schism and Sects / Al-Farq bayn al-Firaq
Imam Abd al-Qahir al-Baghdadi

The Definitive Proof In The Study Of Theology
Muhammad Salih Farfur
Translation & Notes by Wesam Charkawi

A
Commentary on the Creed of Islam

Sa'd al-Din al-Taftazani on the Creed of Najm al-Din al-Nasafi

Kitab al-irshad ila qawati al-adilla fi usul ati tiqad

A Guide to Conclusive Proofs for the Principles of Belief
By Iman al-Haramayn al-Juwayni

Translator Paul E. Walker

Do you have any more recommended books on the subject for the English reader?

[Faungarne]

Brother Faqir, thanks so much again for your input, this is really helpful, jazakumallahu khair!