Early Muslim Books on Refuting Christian Beliefs
There was a common mechanism that
prevailed in the field of theological and intellectual debate between Muslims
and non-Muslims, i.e., the debate through books.
The People of the Book (Jews and
Christians) authored many works in defense of their religions after Islam
spread across vast lands that were once part of the Christian Roman Empire.
When it was observed that people were embracing Islam in great numbers, Muslims
were prompted to respond to these books.
Muslims thus had the honor of
founding the science of Comparative Religion, a field in which great scholars such as Ibn Hazm, As-Shahrastani, and others excelled.
Examples of Books Written by Muslims Refuting Christian Beliefs
Among the books written by
Muslims in refutation of Christian beliefs are the following:
1. “Ar-Rad `Ala An-Nasara (Refutation
of the Christians)” and “Kitab Ad-Din Wa Ad-Dawla (The Book of Religion and Empire)”
by Ali Ibn Rabban At-Tabari (157–240 AH)
Ibn Rabban At-Tabari was
originally a Christian who embraced Islam, after which he authored these two
books in response to Christianity. They are considered the first known works of
Islamic-Christian debate written by a convert from Christianity to Islam.
2. “Ar-Rad `Ala An-Nasara (Refutation
of the Christians)” by Imam Al-Qasim Ibn Ibrahim Ar-Rassi (170–246 AH)
This book demonstrates a precise
understanding of the Christian sects and their theological views during his
era.
3. An Article on the “Refutation
of the Christians” by Abu Yusuf Ya`qub Ibn Ishaq Al-Kindi (185–252 AH)
This treatise focuses
specifically on invalidating the doctrine of the Trinity.
4. “Ar-Rad `Ala An-Nasara (Refutation
of the Christians)” by Abu Uthman `Amr Ibn
Bahr Al-Jahidh
(160–255 AH)
This book serves as further
evidence of the active engagement in Islamic-Christian theological discourse.
5. “Ar-Rad `Ala An-Nasara (Refutation
of the Christians)” by Abu `Isa Al-Warraq (d. 297 AH)
6. “Kitab At-Tawhid (The Book
of Monotheism)” by Abu Mansur Al-Maturidi (d. 333 AH)
The founder of the Maturidi school
of theology, he addressed Christian views concerning Jesus and refuted them.
7. “The Letter of Al-Hasan Ibn Ayyub (d. 378 AH) to His
Brother Ali Ibn
Ayyub”
Al-Hasan Ibn
Ayyub had embraced Islam after being a Christian. He wrote a letter to his
brother, inviting him to accept Islam as well.
8. “Kitab Al-I`lam Bi-Manaqib Al-Islam
(The Book of Clarification on the Merits of Islam)” by Abul Hasan Al-`Amiri (d. 381 AH)
A prominent Arab Islamic philosopher,
Al-`Amiri’s work is rich with comparative analysis between Christianity and
Islam.
9. “Kalam Fi Mabadi’ Al-Mawjudat (Principles
of Beings)” by Abu Sulayman Al-Mantiqi (d.
after 391 AH)
10. Two Works by Al-Qadi Abdul Jabbar Ibn Ahmad Al-Hamadhani (d. 415 AH)
“Al-Mughni fi Abwab At-Tawhid Wal-`Adl (Al-Mughni
in the Chapters on Monotheism and Justice)”
and “Tathbit Dala’il Nubuwwat Sayyidina Muhammad
(Establishment
of Proofs for the Prophethood of Our Master Muhammad)”.
Al-Qadi was a major thinker of
the Mu`tazilite school in the 4th and 5th centuries AH and was distinguished in
his refutation of Christian doctrines by citing directly from the Gospels.
These works represent only a few
examples confirming the existence of this mechanism (the written book) as a
powerful tool for interfaith debate, and the examples are numerous and nearly
beyond count.
You May Also Read:
- Historical Evidence of Tolerance Impact on the Conversion of Christians to Islam
- The Tolerance of the Islamic Religion
- Proof of the Prophet’s Mission from Torah, Gospel, and Quran
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