ṢIFĀTĪYAH (صفاتية): The Attributes of God in Islamic Theology
The term ṢIFĀTĪYAH (صفاتية) is rooted in the Arabic word “Ṣifāt,” which translates to “attributes.” This school of thought is centrally concerned with the ontological status and the essential attributes of God in Islamic theology.
Comprehensive Definition
Ṣifātīyah advocates for the doctrine that God’s attributes (e.g., knowledge, power, life) are eternally inherent in His essence. Unlike various theological approaches within Islam, the Ṣifātīyah school maintains a belief in the inseparability and eternity of these attributes. This is in contrast to the Muʿtazilah, who argue against the eternal nature of God’s attributes, viewing them as identical to God’s essence to uphold the concept of Tawhid (oneness of God).
Etymology and Background
The word “Ṣifāt” (صفات) literally means “attributes” in Arabic. The term Ṣifātīyah combines “Ṣifāt” and the suffix “-īyah,” which indicates belonging or relation, hence “Those relating to the attributes.”
Historical Context:
Ṣifātīyah emerged as a response to the rationalist Mu’tazilite movement, which held sway in the early Islamic centuries. The Mu’tazilites, influenced by Hellenistic philosophy, posited that attributes such as God’s knowledge and power were not eternal but contingent.
Key Figures:
- Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A leading Sunni theologian who argued the importance and eternality of God’s attributes.
- Ash’arites and Maturidites: Schools that later developed to articulate Sunni theology while opposing Mu’tazilite thought.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
The cultural and theological debate between Ṣifātīyah and Mu’tazilah marked a crucial point in Islamic thought. While the former stresses acceptance of divine attributes often described in anthropomorphic terms (face, hands) without delving into “how” (bilā kayfa), the latter favors more abstract, philosophical interpretation, rejecting any form of anthropomorphism.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms:
- Attributists (الصفاتيون)
- Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā’ah (with respect to attribute beliefs in Sunni Islam)
Antonyms:
- Mu’tazilites
- Rationalists
Related Terms
- Tawheed (تــوحـيد): The Islamic monotheistic belief in the oneness of God.
- Takfir (تكفير): The act of declaring a Muslim an unbeliever, often associated with disagreements in theological interpretations.
- Kalam (علم الكلام): Islamic theology, particularly the art of dialectical reasoning to defend or critique theological positions.
Exciting Facts
- Despite their theological differences, both Ṣifātīyah and Mu’tazilah contributed significantly to Islamic jurisprudence and ethics.
- The term “Ṣifātīyah” often also encompasses various Sunni theological paradigms from Salafi thought to mainstream Ash’arite approaches.
Quotations from Notable Writers
- Al-Ghazali remarked: “The Reality of God’s essence and attributes surpasses human understanding. Thus, describing Him otherwise requires reverential submission.”
Suggested Literature
- “The Incoherence of the Philosophers” by Al-Ghazali.
- “Islamic Theology: Traditionalism and Rationalism” by Luis Alberto Vittor.
- “A History of Islamic Philosophy” by Majid Fakhry.
References
- Al-Ash’ari. “The Theology of al-Ash’ari,” Ed. Richard J. McCarthy.
- “God and His Attributes: The Foundations of Islamic Thought,” Nasr, S. H.
In understanding religious thought, analyzing perspectives like those of the Ṣifātīyah deepens one’s awareness of how profound and varied Islamic theology can be. Continue your journey with open curiosity.
With ardor for knowledge, Karim Al-Rashidi
