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Ibrahim al-Kurani

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Burhān al-Dīn Ibrāhīm ibn Ḥasan al-Kūrānī
Personal
Born1615
Sharani
Died1690
Medina
ReligionIslam
EraEarly modern period
DenominationSunni
JurisprudenceShafi'i
CreedAthari[1]
Main interest(s)Sufism, Fiqh and Tawhid
TariqaShattari, Qadiri and Naqshbandi Sufi orders
Muslim leader
Students
Influenced by

Ibrāhīm al-Kūrānī (Arabic: إبراهيم الكوراني), full name Burhān al-Dīn Ibrāhīm ibn Ḥasan al-Kūrānī was an 18th-century Muslim scholar and theologian of Kurdish descent who was an expert in Sufism and Islamic theology.[2] He is a celebrated figure throughout the Muslim-majority Nusantara region as well, due to his influence on many Nusantaran Muslim scholars such as Abd al-Rauf al-Sinkili.[3][4]

Biography

Ibrahim al-Kurani was born in the year 1615. His birthplace was the village of Shahrani at the plains of Shahrizor.[5] Hence, he was known by the epithets Ash-Shahrānī and Ash-Shahrāzurī. He was also of Kurdish descent.[6]

Al-Kurani started his education in Turkey, but later moved to the countries of Iraq, Syria and Egypt to further his education. In Egypt, he was enrolled in the university of Al-Azhar, where he studied the book "Taysir fi al-Qira'at al-Sab'a" with the scholar Nur al-Din Ali ibn Ali al-Shabramallisi.[5] Other scholars he studied with included 'Azayim Sultan ibn Ahmad al-Marakhi and the renowned Hadith scholar Muhammad ibn 'Ala' al-Din al-Babili. Ibrahim al-Kurani finally moved to Medina, now in modern-day Saudi Arabia, and he stayed there until his death in the year 1690.[7]

In the city of Medina, Ibrahim al-Kurani studied with the Sufi master Ahmad al-Qushashi. The latter would initiate him into the Shattari order of Sufis, and would be an influence on his decision to join to the Naqshbandi and Qadiri orders as well. In his middle-age years, Ibrahim al-Kurani became a respected scholar and taught at the Prophet's Mosque. Students from various countries, including the Malay archipelago, would travel to the Hijaz to get the opportunity to study under him.[8] Some of his students included the famed Abd al-Rauf al-Sinkili and Yusuf al-Makassari. He maintained a friendly and genuine relationship with the former, and remained in touch after Al-Sinkili returned to Aceh.[4][5]

Religious views

Sufism

Ibrahim al-Kurani was a prominent supporter of Sufism and Islamic mysticism. He delved into the teachings of the mystics Ibn 'Arabi and Abd al-Karim al-Jili, but also emphasized more on compatibility of following the viewpoints of both of them instead of merely choosing one viewpoint.[7][5] This attitude is reflected in Al-Kurani's decision to join more than one Sufi order, a practice which was also done by his teacher, Ahmad al-Qushashi. Later in the year 1682, Al-Kurani wrote a treatise defending Ibn 'Arabi, which also absolved Ibn 'Arabi and his followers from accusations of pantheism, incarnationism and heresy.[5]

Creed

While he was often thought to be an Ash'ari in creed, Ibrahim al-Kurani himself favoured the Athari creed over it.[9] He takes a position similar to Salafis by emphasizing constantly that one should adhere to the principles of the righteous predecessors, or the Salaf.[10] He also takes a stance against the Ash'aris, criticizing them for their metaphorical interpretations of Qur'anic verses.[10] Al-Kurani, in his book "Ithaf al-Dhaki bi Sharh al-Tuhfat al-Mursalat ila al-Nabi" even defended the Hanbali theologian, Ibn Taymiyyah:

Ibn Taymiyyah does not think with Tajsim (anthropomorphism). He has already confirmed in a treatise that discusses the narration of Allah descending to the heavens, that Allah is not a body.

However, Ibrahim al-Kurani does state that he follows Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari.[10] He confirms to have followed the book "Ibanah"[10] which is attributed to Al-Ash'ari, and the book is sometimes ignored by Ash'aris due to it containing many sayings relating to creed which are more in line with the creed of prominent Hanbalis. Ibrahim al-Kurani also states that the true Ash'ari belief is to affirm the attributes of God without needing to question them or even allegorically interpret them, something which is not usually done by Ash'aris.[10]

Criticism

Ibrahim al-Kurani was criticized by the followers of the Senussi Sufi order for having teachings that were similar to those of the Qadariyya, who were a sect which was declared heretical by major scholars.[5] He was also accused to have had Mu'tazilite leanings on the discussion of the faith of Thutmose II.[5] In modern times, people with more extremist Jahmi tendencies called him a heretic.[8]

Works

Ibrahim al-Kurani had many works, some of which have not been published and hence have not made it to the modern day. Amongst his published works include:

  • Ithaf al-Dhaki bi Sharh al-Tuhfat al-Mursalat ila al-Nabi: A lengthy treatise dedicated to answering the questions of his students in the Nusantara.
  • Al-Lum'at al-Saniyat fi Tahqiq al-Ilqa' fi al-Umniya: A book regarding the connections between Tawhid and Sufism.
  • Tanbih al-'Uqul 'ala Tanzih al-Sufiyya 'an I'tiqad al-Tajsim wa al-'Ayniyya wa al-Ittihad wa al-Hulul: A treatise which defends Ibn 'Arabi from accusations of anthropomorphism, incarnationism, pantheism, and heresy.

See also

References

  1. ^ Dumairieh, Naser (October 2018). Intellectual Life in the Ḥijāz in the 17th Century The Works and Thought of Ibrāhīm al-Kūrānī (1025-1101/1616-1690). Montreal: Mcgill University. pp. 251–252.
  2. ^ El-Rouayheb, Khaled. "al-Kūrānī, Ibrāhīm".
  3. ^ "Ibrahim Al-Kurani dan Akidah Orang Nusantara – NU Bangil Online". Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  4. ^ a b Mubarok, Hamdani (2019-09-02). "Ibrahim al-Kurani, Mahaguru Para Ulama Nusantara". Islami[dot]co. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g N. Hanif, Biographical Encyclopaedia of Sufis: Central Asia and Middle East.
  6. ^ El-Rouayheb, Khaled. "al-Kūrānī, Ibrāhīm".
  7. ^ a b Nafi, Basheer M. (2002). "Taṣawwuf and Reform in Pre-Modern Islamic Culture: In Search of Ibrāhīm al-Kūrānī". Die Welt des Islams. 42 (3): 307–355. ISSN 0043-2539.
  8. ^ a b Tajuddin, Abd Rahman (2022-02-24). "Ulama hebat rujukan ilmuwan". Harian Metro. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  9. ^ Marwadi, Firman Hidayat (2014-03-10). "Pembelaan Mulla Ibrahim Al-Kurani atas Ibnu Taimiyyah". Mauhub™ (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  10. ^ a b c d e Dumairieh, Naser (2021-12-07), "Intellectual Life in the Ḥijāz in the Seventeenth Century", The Works and Thought of Ibrahim al-Kurani, BRILL, pp. 250–260, archived from the original on 2021-02-04, retrieved 2024-01-07
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