The Marrakesh Principle – Ibn Taymiyyah [French/Arabic]

The Marrakech Precept by Ibn Taymiyyah is a doctrinal treatise attributed to Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah, written as a structured response to a question sent from Marrakech regarding the Divine Names and Attributes and the correct way to affirm them. The text aims to clarify core principles of belief by relying on revealed sources, while dispelling confusions that have shaped theological debates on this subject. It thus follows a guiding approach, seeking to establish a coherent framework between the texts, their understanding, and their practical reception.

The book opens by presenting a doctrinal disagreement between two interlocutors who differ over whether it is obligatory to know and study the affirmation of the Divine Attributes. The discussion notably focuses on Allah’s elevation above the Throne, a topic around which accusations such as tajsīm or hashw are raised. Ibn Taymiyyah responds to these objections by clearly distinguishing between authentic belief grounded in the texts and polemical labels used differently across theological trends.

The approach adopted in The Marrakech Precept by Ibn Taymiyyah is methodical and progressive. It begins by recalling the obligation to believe in the texts of the Qur’an and the Sunnah as they have been transmitted. Then, the work stresses the importance of careful attention to pronunciation and to the meanings of revealed expressions. Moreover, the author addresses ambiguities arising from interpretive differences reported among early scholars, placing them within their doctrinal and methodological framework.

The heart of the treatise is devoted to affirming Allah’s elevation, a central theme of the Marrakech Precept. This chapter gathers different kinds of textual and rational arguments, along with detailed replies to common objections. The text deals in particular with the notion of istiwāʾ and relates the position attributed to Imam Malik regarding the question of “how,” affirming the meaning while refraining from speculation about modality. Thus, the author highlights an approach grounded in accepting the texts without assimilation or negation.

The book also responds to the reasoning of several groups mentioned in its outline, such as the Jahmiyyah, the Qarramithah, the Waqifah, or the Lafziyyah. It examines their arguments and discusses the temptation to interpret the texts beyond their intended scope. To do so, Ibn Taymiyyah relies on scriptural proofs, transmitted reports, and recognized scholarly references. In addition, the end of the book is enhanced by a reference section and a glossary of recurring Islamic terms, making it easier to follow the technical notions discussed.

In sum, The Marrakech Precept by Ibn Taymiyyah is a rigorous doctrinal guide, centered on coherence between Revelation, the understanding of the early generations, and the clarification of ambiguities related to the Divine Attributes. It is therefore a relevant complementary reading for deepening issues of creed, notably alongside classic expositions such as The Creed of Imam Malik as presented by the Maliki Imam Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani.