at Zaitunah University.269

He wrote three books on theology:

1. Sharh al-Jahalat;

2. K. al-Mujaz;

3. K. al-Istila’ah.270

The last of these is still lost. He also composed two other short works: Mukhtasar fi al-faraid, and Mukhtasar Tabaqat al-Mashaikh,271 and laid down some rules for the Halqah.272

This chapter, however, is concerned only with his theological works. The first book Sharh al-Jahalat is a commentary on K. al-Jahalat of al-Malshuti. In Sharh al-Jahalat, Abu Ammar extends the answers given by Tabghurin b. Isa in al-Jahalat with detailed discussions, ascribing opinions to their original sources, and supporting the Ibadhi views with more proof.

His second book K. al-Mujaz fi tahsil al-sual wa talkhis al-maqal fi al-raddi ala Ahli al-khilaf is a vast study of the theological views of Islamic and non-Islamic doctrines. The book, designed to vindicate the Ibadhi and refute other views, is divided into two parts; the contents of the first part deal mainly with the views of the Atheists (mulhidun) and it is arranged as follows:

Section (i) al-Dahriyah, who maintain the eternity of time and matter. This section is divided into three chapters - Astrologers, Naturalists, and Aristotelians.

Section (ii) The doctrine of Thanawiyah; Dualism, who teach that light and darkness are the two equal eternal creative principles.273 This section is also divided into three chapters - Manichaeans, Daisanis, and Mazdeans.

Section (iii) Those who deny the Message of the Apostles. This section deals with Brahmanism, Magians, and the People of the Book. These latter were included for their denial of the message and the prophethood of Muhammad.

Section (iv) The Anthropomorphists (ahl al-tashbih). The author divides the adherents of this doctrine into three groups, and discusses each group in a special chapter:

a) Those who regard anthropomorphism as a physical reality, and teach that God is a body in a real physical sense with a human shape, composed of flesh and blood, etc.

b) Those who teach anthropomorphism without applying direct physical reality to it, and hold that God is a body unlike other bodies, and is a light unlike known light, etc.

c) Those who wrongly impart anthropomorphic interpretations to Quranic expressions.