Shar al Aqidah Tahawiyyah by Ibn al-Izz al-Hanafi

Assalaamu Alaikum

There is a commentary (sharḥ) of the ‘Aqīdah Taḥāwiyyah available, which was written by Ibn al-’Izz al-Ḥanafī, is it a reliable commentary? Could you please also tell us about the author?

Wa’salam

Wa’alaykum as Salām waraḥmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,

This is one of the most unreliable commentaries ever. Salafies take all their ‘Aqīdah from this commentary and hence it is the most widespread in the Arab world. Allāmāh Zāhid al-Kawthari said with regards to the author,
“A commentary was published [on the `Aqīdah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwiyya], by a person who is not known and is falsely attributed to the Ḥanafi school, but whose handiwork proves his ignorance of this science and that he is an anthropomorphist who has lost his direction.” (al-Ḥāwi fī Sīra al-Imām aṭ-Ṭaḥāwi, 38)

Imām aṭ-Ṭaḥāwi (May Allah Ta’ala have mercy on him) clearly attributed the beliefs in the beginning of his work to Imām Abū Ḥanīfa, Imām Abū Yūsuf and Imām Muḥammad (May Allah Ta’ala have mercy on them all). Yet Ibn Abil ‘Izz differs with numerous of the beliefs. Amongst others, he is of the view that Allāh Ta’ālā has a direction and the punishment of Jahannum will not be eternal.

In light of the above, it is not permissible for a layman to read his commentary.