ʿAQĪDA
Al-Muqaddimāt of
Imām al-Sanūsī
Sharḥ al-Muqaddimāt is a detailed commentary by Imām Muḥammad ibn Yūsuf al-Sanūsī (d. 895 AH / 1490 CE) on his own pedagogical text al-Muqaddimāt, which serves as an introduction to the study of Islamic theology (ʿaqīdah) and logic (manṭiq). Unlike Umm al-Barāhīn, which focuses narrowly on core tenets of faith, al-Muqaddimāt is a broader foundational work designed to prepare students intellectually and methodologically for engaging in deeper theological and rational sciences.
In this commentary, al-Sanūsī systematically unpacks the principles of correct belief according to the Ashʿarī school, while also providing a structured introduction to logical reasoning. The Sharḥ serves to clarify the original text’s dense and technical language, elaborating on definitions, categorization of knowledge, methods of deduction, and the rational foundations necessary for sound theological inquiry.
Imām al-Sanūsī emphasizes the integration of logic with theology, reflecting the post-classical Ashʿarī conviction that sound reasoning is a necessary tool for safeguarding and articulating Islamic belief. His commentary is distinguished by its rigorous yet accessible style, making complex subjects comprehensible for serious students.
Widely taught in traditional North and West African madrasas, Sharḥ al-Muqaddimāt holds a foundational place in the curriculum of Islamic theology and logic, marking a critical stage in a student’s development before progressing to more advanced works in kalām and philosophy.
Consists of 14 classes.
The course was taught by Shaykh Zuhayr Qazzān in 2024.
