which form the items of the Ibadhi creed, were pointed out.278

The third scholar in this group is Abu Ya’qub Yusuf b. Ibrahim al-Warijlani (d. 570 H.). He studied in Cordova in Spain and became one of the outstanding scholars in different fields of knowledge.279

In scholastic theology his main contribution was his well known book K. al-Dalil li Ahli al-uqul,280 which consists of general introduction on schisms within the Muslim community, and three parts as follows:

Part I the author set out the proofs for the rightness of his school, and discussed the Ash'ari views on the attributes, promise and threat, and the creation of the Qur’an. He included in this part his answers to a question sent from Abd al-Wahhab al-Ansari to Abu Ammar Abd al-Kafi who had died before he could deal with it.

Part II contains discussions on the subject of what must not remain unknown of the religion (ma la yasau jahluhu). The author after interpreting the opinions reported on this topic from Abu al-Rabi Sulaiman b. Yakhalaf al-Mazati, went on to discuss the distinctive views on different matters as held by ten Ibadhi Imams in the following order: Jabir b. Zaid, Azzan b. al-Saqr, Lawwab b. Sallam, al-rabi b. Habib, Aflah b. Abd al-Wahhab, Amrus b. Fath, Abu al-Qasim Yazid b. Mukhallad, Abu Khazr Yaghla b. Zaltaf, Muhammad b. Mahbub, and Massalah b. Yahya, which section he concluded with a brief study on logic, and even some notes on arithmetic and geometry.

Part III consists of six long responses to questions addressed to the author. The first response is concerned with the question of God's pleasure and wrath (al-rida wa al-sukht);

ii) Ali's acceptance of arbitration; whether it was religious or arose from mundane motives.

iii) The question of God's promise to answer prayer (dua), whether it relates to Muslims only or applies to infidels as well?.

iv) A response concerning a Tradition reported in K. zahar al-uyun of Ibn Qutaibah.

v) On the question of whether sound is a 'body' (jism).

vi) Finally, a response to people of Jabal Nufusah on the three following topics:

a) Walayah and baraah;

b) Defaming the Ibadhi faith;

c) The attributes of God.