02. EXPLANATION OF KITAB AT-TAWHID FROM SAHIH AL-BUKHARI | Shaykh Ahmad Musa Jibril (حفظه الله)

In this continuation of the introduction to Kitāb At-Tawḥīd from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, The Shaykh Ahmad Musa Jibril (حفظه الله) recaps that the book is not only a collection of ḥadīth but also a profound work of ʿAqīdah and Fiqh. Imām al-Bukhārī rahimahullāh uses his chapter titles to directly refute various deviant groups — like the Qadariyyah, Khawārij, Rāfiḍah, Murji’ah, and especially the Jahmiyyah — by anchoring his arguments in the Qur’ān and Sunnah.

The Beloved Shaykh (حفظه الله) stresses the importance of adhering to the infallible sources — revelation and the understanding of the Salaf — especially when dealing with matters of the Ghayb (unseen), such as the Names and Attributes of Allāh subḥānahu wa taʿālā. He cautions against giving precedence to intellect, weak narrations, Isrā’īliyyāt, dreams, or personal experiences in theological matters, as doing so leads to deviation. Only by following the path of the Salaf, using the intellect to understand — not override — the revelation, can one avoid error in Tawḥīd al-Asmāʾ waṣ-Ṣifāt.

Al-Bukhārī’s role, he explains, was not to introduce new ideas, but to guide readers to the Divine proofs. His method was to cite Qur’ānic verses or authentic aḥādīth under each chapter heading to highlight the Wajh ad-Dalālah (angle of evidence). For example, in this chapter, Kitāb At-Tawḥīd, al-Bukhārī dismantles the ideas of the Jahmiyyah by affirming the real Names and Attributes of Allāh.

A key theme throughout is love of Allāh — that to truly love Allāh, one must know Him through His Names, Attributes, and Actions. Denying these, as the Jahmiyyah do, is not only theological corruption, it leads to the inevitable implication of denying Allāh's existence altogether. The Shaykh brings quotes from the early Imāms like Jarīr ibn ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd and Ibn al-Mubārak, who warned that the Jahmiyyah’s words may sound sweet like honey, but end in poison — they appear pious in intent but culminate in disbelief.

Shaykh Ahmad Musa Jirbril gives examples of noble things in Islam having many names — like Makkah, the Qur’ān, and the Prophet ﷺ — and contrasts this with the Jahmiyyah’s view that Allāh has no attributes and no names, which logically implies non-existence. He reminds us that the greatness of something is known by the abundance of its beautiful names and qualities — and Allāh is Aʿlā wa Ajall — the Most High and Most Majestic.

Lastly, the Shaykh (حفظه الله) introduces a few specific theological themes that will be covered in the coming lessons, such as the Speech of Allāh, As-Sifāt al-Ikhtiyāriyyah (volitional attributes like love, anger, descent), and the creation of human actions (Khalq Afʿāl al-ʿIbād). He notes that Imām al-Bukhārī even authored an entire book on the latter, showing his depth in ʿAqīdah.

This introduction is crucial before delving into the actual chapters of Kitāb At-Tawḥīd, and more foundational principles will be shared in the next session In shā’ Allāh.