Bayan Talbis Al Jahmiyyah -

"Bayan Talbis al-Jahmiyyah" ( بيان تلبيس الجهمية ) is a book written by Ibn Hazm (994-1064 CE), a renowned Andalusian scholar, jurist, and philosopher. The book is a theological treatise that responds to the Jahmiyyah, a group of early Muslim theologians who held certain views on the nature of God and the attributes of God.

This treatise, Bayan Talbis al-Jahmiyyah , strips away their sophistry by returning to the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah: ithbat bila tashbih, tanzih bila ta’til – affirmation without likening, transcendence without negation. We shall examine their deceptions, quote their own contradictions, and refute them with the Book, the Sunnah, and sound intellect untainted by philosophical presuppositions.

Bayan Talbis al-Jahmiyyah is not merely a book of theology; it is a masterclass in logic, hermeneutics, and rhetoric. Ibn Taymiyyah successfully demonstrated that the denial of Allah’s attributes is not a sign of intellectual sophistication, but a result of submitting Revelation to foreign philosophical concepts. The work remains the definitive reference for understanding the theological debates regarding the Names and Attributes of Allah in Islamic history. bayan talbis al jahmiyyah

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the attribute of Al-Istiwa (Allah rising over the Throne). Ibn Taymiyyah argues that the meaning is known (highness and elevation), but the "how" is unknown. He refutes the view that Istiwa means "conquering" ( Istiqla ) or "dominating," asserting that the linguistic and Shari'ah evidence points to literal elevation befitting Allah's majesty.

The Jahmiyyah utilized the concept of Jism (body) to deny Allah's attributes. They argued: "Allah is not a body; all bodies are created; therefore, Allah has no physical attributes." Ibn Taymiyyah deconstructs this syllogism effectively. He argues that terms like "body" ( Jism ) or "substance" ( Jawhar ) are terms invented by Greek philosophers and have no basis in the Quran or Sunnah. Using alien terminology to define God leads to false conclusions. He asserts that Allah has a reality distinct from creation, but He is not like His creation in His essence or attributes. We shall examine their deceptions, quote their own

Extensively written; modern editions range from 2 to 10 volumes The Core Conflict: Reason vs. Revelation

Bayan Talbis al-Jahmiyyah is widely considered one of Ibn Taymiyyah’s magnum opuses in the field of Aqidah (creed). The book was written as a methodical refutation of a specific group known as the Jahmiyyah (followers of Jahm ibn Safwan) and those influenced by them, such as certain factions of the Mu'tazilites and the Kullabiyyah. The work remains the definitive reference for understanding

He defended the creed, which emphasizes accepting the literal descriptions of God found in the Quran and Sunnah (such as being "above the Throne") without seeking to explain "how" (bi-la kayf) or resorting to figurative interpretation (ta'wil). Major Theological Arguments

Bayan Talbis al-Jahmiyyah serves as a cornerstone for Sunni polemics against the rationalist schools of theology. Its significance lies in: