the Qur'ān (q.v.) and provides consider­ his message and are punished accordingly in Hūd (q.v.). It Sālih (q.v.). Shu'ayb has sura belongs mainly to the Meccan period and verses. Its title comes from v.38 which refers to those Mūsā (q.v.) and 'Īsā (q.v.). His mercy to His creation and : able detail about the stories of Mūsā (q.v.) and Pharaoh, Ibrahim (q.v.), Nūh (q.v.), Hud (q.v.), Sālih (q.v.), Lūt (q.v.), and Shu'ayb (q.v.). It is thus a sura which concentrates overwhelmingly on prophetic history. (See Fir'awn.) Shu'ayb Arabian prophet sent to warn the people of Madyan who organize themselves by the Mysterious Letters of the Qur'ān (q.v.) (spread over two verses), goes on to emphasize God's power and omniscience, and makes reference to such great figures as Nūh (q.v.), Ibrāhīm (q.v.),

doi:10.4324/9780203986158-79

Chapter

the Qur'ān (q.v.) and provides consider his message and are punished accordingly in Hūd (q.v.). It Sālih (q.v.). Shu'ayb has sura belongs mainly to the Meccan period and verses. Its title comes from v.38 which refers to those Mūsā (q.v.) and 'Īsā (q.v.). His mercy to His creation and

Chapter

able detail about the stories of Mūsā (q.v.) and Pharaoh, Ibrahim (q.v.), Nūh (q.v.), Hud (q.v.), Sālih (q.v.), Lūt (q.v.), and Shu'ayb (q.v.). It is thus a sura which concentrates overwhelmingly on prophetic history. (See Fir'awn.) Shu'ayb Arabian prophet sent to warn the people of Madyan who organize themselves by the Mysterious Letters of the Qur'ān (q.v.) (spread over two verses), goes on to emphasize God's power and omniscience, and makes reference to such great figures as Nūh (q.v.), Ibrāhīm (q.v.),

ABSTRACT

Sifāt Allāh (Ar.) The attributes of God. Muslim theology classically distinguished between the basic attributes of the Essence (al-Dhāt) (like God's eternity, self-subsistence and permanence), and others. Much mediaeval theological debate concerned itself with the exact relationship between all the attributes and God's Essence: were they identical with the Essence or separate? If the latter were the case, what were the implications for the doctrine of God's unity? One conclusion to the debate was that God's attributes were eternal and subsisted in His Essence, but they were not God nor other than God! (See Ahmad b. Hanbal; al-Ash'ari; Bilā Kayf; Istawā; Khan, Sayyid Ahmad; Mu'tazila; Tanzīh; Tashbīh; Ta'tīl; Tawhīd.)

Siffīn, Battle of Significant event in early Islamic history. The battle and the immediate events surrounding it lasted over a period of three months up to 37/657 at a plain called Siffīn which is South of the River Euphrates. The conflict was between 'Alī b. Abī Tālib (q.v.) and the governor of Syria, Mu'āwiya (q.v.). No sooner was actual battle commenced than an appeal for more talks was made by some of the Syrians who fixed copies of the Qur'ān to their spears. The result was a protracted arbitration but in 40/ 661 'Alī was assassinated and the way was open for Mu'āwiya to inaugurate Islam's first dynasty, that of the Umayyads (q.v.).

the Qur'ān (q.v.) and provides consider­ his message and are punished accordingly in Hūd (q.v.). It Sālih (q.v.). Shu'ayb has sura belongs mainly to the Meccan period and verses. Its title comes from v.38 which refers to those Mūsā (q.v.) and 'Īsā (q.v.). His mercy to His creation and

ABSTRACT

the Qur'ān (q.v.) and provides consider his message and are punished accordingly in Hūd (q.v.). It Sālih (q.v.). Shu'ayb has sura belongs mainly to the Meccan period and verses. Its title comes from v.38 which refers to those Mūsā (q.v.) and 'Īsā (q.v.). His mercy to His creation and