The Clear Evidences Regarding his صلى الله عليه وسلم"" Acts of Worship before the Prophetic Mission Authored by the Distinguished Scholar and Jurist, Qāḍī ʿabd Al-Karīm Ibn Ḥusayn Al-Arkalī Al-Ḥanafī D. after 979 AH. 10.35781/1637-000-135-001

Abstract

This is a concise treatise entitled "Al-Ajwibah al-Waḍiḥah al-Dilālah ‘alā Ta abbudihi صلى الله عليه وسلم Qabla al-Bathah” ("The Clear Evidences Regarding His صلى الله عليه وسلم Acts of Worship Before the Prophetic Mission"), authored by the distinguished scholar and jurist, Qāḍī 'Abd al-Karīm ibn Husayn al-Arkalī al-Ḥanafi (d. after 979 AH), one of the judges of al-Quds (Jerusalem) in the tenth century AH. This treatise is a significant theological contribution that uniquely investigates the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم worship before the divine revelation, along with related doctrinal questions such as the infallibility of prophets before prophet hood, the legal status of emulating the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلمpre-prophetic actions, and the positions of various theological schools on these issues. Originally, the treatise was composed as an extended response to a scholarly inquiry directed to the author by one of his students. The question focused on the nature of the Prophet'sصلى الله عليه وسلم worship before the revelation: whether he followed a previous divine law, and what the form of his prayer, recitation, and ritual purity was. The author responded with a comprehensive scholarly treatment that expanded beyond the question to address broader theological concerns, using a didactic and evidential method that reflects his pedagogical intent. The author's methodology is characterized by the extensive collection and documentation of opinions from the works of jurists and theologians. He adopts a detailed educational style supplemented by concluding summaries at the end of each issue. While he demonstrates a clear reliance on Ash'arī and Māturīdī sources, he ultimately aligns with the Sunni position on the issue of prophetic infallibility, affirming that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمadhered to pure monotheism, following the creed of Abraham (peace be upon him).