An Examination of the Differences between Ibn Taymiyyah and Albani’s Beliefs‎

While there exists similarities in the thinking system of Muhammad Naseraldin Albani ‎and Ibn Taymiyyah, there are significant differences between them in their main ‎beliefs. However disagreements in fatwa and in jurisprudential matters is legitimate and ‎allowed, in the main beliefs it is impossible and not allowed, according to the Sunnis’ ‎view. The most important disagreement discussed in this paper is the sequence of ‎events. In the ontology of the connection between hadith (something that has been ‎existed after nonexistance) and qadim (eternal), Ibn Taymiyyah posits that God’s ‎attributes are added to his essence and are accordingly eternal; thus he inevitably ‎believes in the sequence of effects saying that no first cause can be considered. ‎Albani has rejected this sequence based on two narrations and he has considered Ibn ‎Taymiyyah’s words invalid. Ibn Taymiyyah also believes that the fire of the Hell is non-‎eternal; because an eternal agony that lasts forever is contradictory to God’s mercy. ‎Concerning weather or not God has created Adam in His image, he has stated three ‎possible aspects according to the narration “God has created Adam in His image”. Ibn ‎taymiyyah is among those who believes that Quran doesn’t have interpretation or ‎figurative speech. He mentions three meanings for Ta’vil (interpretation) rejecting the ‎theologians’ term, believing in the literal meaning of Quran’s words. Because of the ‎fact that he is a narration oriented scholar he believes that God sits on the throne. ‎Albani opposes Ibn Taymiyyah in all these and rejects his opinion. ‎