Af 39-al Al-ibad English Pdf: Khalq
Bukhari proves through Quranic verses and narrations that while God is the Creator of all things, human actions are also created by Him, refuting the Qadariyah view of absolute free will independent of God.
This event highlights that even centuries after al-Bukhari’s death, Khalq Af‘al al-‘Ibad remained a symbol of traditionalist theology, capable of challenging the theological establishment of the time.
Imam al-Bukhari wrote this during a period of intense theological trial ( Mihna ). He faced accusations from some traditionalist peers who misunderstood his stance on the "recitation" of the Quran, leading him to compile this work to clarify his adherence to the Creed of the Salaf .
Archive.org PDF: Imam al-Mizzi and the Khalq of Imam al-Bukhari Excerpts on Creed:
Khalq Af'al al-'Ibad (The Creation of the Acts of Servants) is a foundational text in Sunni Islamic theology, authored by the illustrious Imam Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari (d. 256 AH/870 CE), famous for his collection of authentic hadith, Sahih al-Bukhari . khalq af 39-al al-ibad english pdf
The text defends the affirmation of Allah’s attributes, such as His Speech, Highness ( Uluww ), and Descent ( Nuzool ), against those who interpret them metaphorically ( Ta’teel ). Structure and Methodology
The theological landscape of early Islam was marked by intense debates regarding the nature of God, the status of the Quran, and the boundary between divine omnipotence and human agency. One of the most critical textual interventions during this period was the book Khalq Af'al al-Ibad (The Creation of the Actions of Servants) by the legendary Hadith master, Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari.
Start with Archive.org and Academia.edu using the exact Arabic title in your search. If you only need the core arguments, refer to standard English works on Sunni creed like Al-ʿAqidah al-Wasitiyyah (Ibn Taymiyyah) or Sharh al-ʿAqidah al-Tahawiyyah .
For those seeking to understand classical Islamic theology, the name Imam Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Bukhari (d. 256 AH / 870 CE) is universally known for his monumental Sahih al-Bukhari , the most authentic collection of hadith. However, the Imam was also a profound theologian. Among his works on creed is the highly significant book, , a title that translates to "The Creation of the Actions of the Servants." Bukhari proves through Quranic verses and narrations that
Specifically, the belief that human actions are created by humans themselves, not by Allah.
The book addresses the question: If Allah created my action, how can I be blamed for it?
To understand why Imam al-Bukhari wrote Khalq Af'al al-Ibad , one must understand the era of the Mihna (the Inquisition). During the early 9th century, the Abbasid caliphs adopted the doctrine of the Mu'tazilite school, which asserted that the Quran was created ( makhluq ), rather than being the uncreated Word of God.
Al-Bukhari compiles testimonies from major scholars of the Hijaz, Iraq, and Syria to prove that his creed aligns exactly with the early generations of Islam (the Salaf). He faced accusations from some traditionalist peers who
: Imam al-Bukhari uses the text to affirm Allah's attributes, such as His Speech , Highness ( al-’Uluw ), and His Descending ( Nuzool ), in a manner that suits His Majesty.
Later scholars across various schools of thought, including Ash'arite and Salafi figures, have engaged with the text to establish the creed of the early generations. It remains a critical source for understanding early Islamic rational theology and the boundaries between Divine Will and human responsibility. Khalq Af'aal al-'Ibaad by Imam al-Bukhari - SifatuSafwa
This is the Quran itself, which is the eternal, uncreated Speech of Allah ( Kalamullah ).
: The book primarily argues that while humans possess the will to act, their actions are ultimately created by Allah. Refutation of the Jahmiyyah