The Issue of the Createdness of the Qur’an and Ibn Taymiyyah's Approaches to It

This article explores the historical origins of the debate on the createdness or uncreatedness of the Qur‘an in Islamic tradition, with a particular focus on Ibn Taymiyyah’s (1263–1328) views. It presents translated excerpts from the author’s works that are significant for understanding his position. Since the primary sources of the study are medieval works and texts written in medieval Arabic, it is crucial to accurately understand the precise meaning of the terms. Therefore, the method of terminological analysis has been widely applied. By combining terminological, historical, textual analysis, the article offers a comprehensive exploration of Ibn Taymiyyah’s views on the createdness of the Qur‘an, illustrating how his approach both challenges and refines the existing theological discourse within the broader Islamic intellectual tradition. Our research revealed that Ibn Taymiyya refines and clarifies the Hanbali approach to the discussed issue, freeing it from ambiguity, explains and specifies the concept of eternity, attributing it solely to Allah’s ability to speak and His Word. The research offers a novel perspective by providing a detailed examination of Ibn Taymiyyah’s approach, distinguishing between the created aspects of the Qur‘an (such as its written form and recitation) and the uncreated nature of divine speech. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of his role in shaping theological discourse within the Islamic intellectual tradition.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

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