Imam Sanusi's Umm al-Barahin - Ramzy Ajem

The Mother of Proofs  is a primer text, also known as The Succinct Sanusi Creed, authored by Imam Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Sanusi al-Hasani (832 - 895 AH), may Allah have mercy on him, and bring us benefit by him and his knowledge. It has been translated into English by Ramzy Ajem, may Allah forgive him.

The Text

• Name: Umm al-Barahin (The Mother of Proofs)
• AKA: Matn al-Sanusiya or al-Aqida al-Sanusiya
• Length: 10-15 pages
• Content: Al-Ilahiyat, Al-Nubuwat, Sam`iyat
• Curriculum Level: Intermediate study and relied upon text in Islamic theology for the past 500 years within the Sunni world (Azhar, Zaytuna, Qarawiyin, and institutions throughout Africa, Middle East and Malaysia).
• Translation: The Succinct Sanusi Creed: Umm al-Barahin (v2.8 near-final draft)
• Translator: Ramzy Ajem

The Author of the Text

• Teknonymy (kunya): Abu Abd Allah
• Name: Muhammad
• Father’s Name: Yusuf ibn Umar ibn Shu`ayb
• Last Name: Al-Sanusi (attributed to a Moroccan tribe Bani Sanus)
• Lineage: Hasani (from father’s mother)
• Date of Birth: ~830 AH / ~1430 AD 
• Region: Telmecan, Algeria
• Jurisprudential School: Maliki
• Theological School: Ashari
• Scholarly Status: Recognized as among leading theological scholars of Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama`a 
• Published Works in: Theology, Fiqh, Tasawwuf, Legal Theory, Astronomy, Logic, The Seven Variants of Quranic Readings, & Commentaries on Hadith 
• Political Context: Zayyanid dynasty (Ziyānyūn زيانيون) in Tlemcen & Ottoman Empire in the East
• Contemporaries: Al-Sharif Al-Jurjani, Al-Qastallani, Al-Suyut, 'Ala' al-Din al-Bukhari
• Prominent Teachers: Among many is Imam Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn al-Abbas al-Abbadi (d.871 AH)
• Prominent Students: Among many is Imam Sayid Ahmad “Zarruq” ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa Al-Barnusi Al-Fasi (d. 899 AH)

Posted by: Ramzy Ajem

Umm Al-Barahin Text

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