Sanusi's Commentary on Umm al-Barahin: An In-Depth Investigation of the Foundational Proofs

This is a Level Three course in the Islamic Studies Curriculum of SeekersGuidance. It’s a traditional word-by-word explanation of Imam al-Sanusi’s commentary on his primer Umm al-Barahin (The Foundational Proofs), which covers a distilled theological exposition of Sunni creed based on the methodical approach of the Ash`ari school.

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Short Intro: This course covers a distilled theological exposition of Sunni creed based on the methodical approach of the Ash`ari school. It is a traditional word-by-word explanation of Imam al-Sanusi’s commentary on his primer Umm al-Barahin (The Foundational Proofs).
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About the text:

Umm al-Barahin (The Foundational Proofs) of Imam al-Sanusi is one of the most fundamental primers in Islamic Theology and is considered historically as an elemental text in traditional Islamic education in the Maghreb, Egypt and al-Sham. Studied and memorized for centuries, Umm al-Barahin offers readers a structured and distilled outline of Sunni Creed, according to the methodical approach of the Ash`ari school of theology. Imam al-Sanusi in Umm al-Barahin supports the tenets of the Sunni Creed with rational and textual arguments that are free from confusion and ambiguity.

Sharh Umm al-Barahin, also known as Sharh al-Sanusiyya, is a lucid commentary written by Imam al-Sanusi himself on his primer Umm al-Barahin, in which he unpacks the essence of his theological arguments. In his commentary, Imam al-Sanusi divides his primer into passages that are followed by erudite explanation. This commentary attracted many scholars to write on it super-commentaries in which many intricate theological concepts and ideas were discussed. The commentary alongside its super-commentaries remain till this very day as a repository for late Asha`ri theological discussions.
About the Author:

Born sometime after 830 (Hijri) in Algeria, Imam Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Sanusi is one of the most prominent Ash`ari theologians in the Islamic tradition. He has written a number of primers and commentaries in theology that form an entire curriculum for theological studies. His works were adopted by institutions, from the time they were written and till this present day, particularly in the Western Islamicate - Maghreb, Egypt and al-Sham. Imam al-Sanusi’s contributions are not limited to theology, he has important contributions in Logic, Sufism, Medicine and Astronomy. He influenced numerous scholars who came after him and his systematic theological approach was adopted by many theologians for the past five centuries.
Who is this course for:
  • This course is useful for anyone who wants to understand the rational arguments related to our belief in Allah Most High and the method and nuances of Islamic Theology; to appreciate the depth and richness of the Islamic intellectual tradition; and learn the methods of thinking and analysis applied by Muslim scholars.
  • This course is for adults.
  • It is beneficial for students of knowledge in general and students of theology in particular.
Learning outcomes:
  • Explain the logical proofs for the attributes of Allah Most High.
  • Break down the proofs for the existence of Allah Most High step by step.
  • Explain the attributes of His Messengers (peace be upon them) and their proofs.
  • Understand how all of these meanings are contained in the statement of Divine Oneness: there is no god but God.
  • Understand how to unpack the terse expressions of classical Islamic texts and works on theology.
  • Cultivate a deep method in thinking required from a student of knowledge.