Translation Of Ibn Taymiyyah’s “Cyprus Letter” And Evaluation Of Some Of Its Hadiths

The letter named “al-Risala al-Qubru?iyya” which, Ibn Teymiyye wrote to the king of Cyprus, is an important document which has the characteristics of history in terms of including religious, political, social, and military information. The letter written in an attempt to releasing of Muslims who are captive in Cyprus has a feature of answer and refutation in the context of theological debates to both people of the book and especially Christians. Starting with incorrect beliefs and imaginations of Christians, Ibn Teymiyye reveals that they and their ecclesiastics falsify the discipline of Jesus and created many beliefs and thoughts which were not originally present in Christianity. Within this framework, he explains the position and fundamental views of Islam by verses and hadiths. Ibn Teymiyye also makes mention of his age in which he and Muslims struggles against Mongolian invasion. Accordingly, his efforts being closely and actively interested in his age’s social, political, military, judicial, and religious issues show that he has an unusual scholar portrait. Thus, mentioning the requisite of that Muslims who are captive in Cyprus should have been citizen of the King and the religious and judicial necessity of doing same good treatment to them indicate that he has a pretty forward understanding and thought in an international issue. In this study, the translation of the epistle is firstly discussed by reason of including important information and messages. Ibn Teymiyye occasionally presents and refers to hadiths in his epistle. In this regard, the hadiths are shortly evaluated by making use citation. In another study, we examined Ibn Teymiyye’s approach to some other hadiths located in the epistle, as known “fitan” hadiths, which include Jesus Christ’s descent, killing dajjal, a war would be fought between Muslims and Jews were examined. As for this study, the hadiths which include the prophet’s fighting with non-Muslims, being of him mercy and war prophet and sending of a mujaddid who renew the religion in every age; and Ibn Teymiyye’s view regarding with these hadiths are discussed with some determinations and assessments.

Keywords

Ibn Taymiyyah, al-Risāla al-Qubruṣiyya, Ahl al-Kitāb, Theology, Hadith