What are the most useful books on the names and attributes?
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The student: What are the most important books on the topic of the names and attributes?
The Shaykh : By Allah, the books are numerous and differ in methodology. For example, regarding mere affirmation of the creed, *al-Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah* is among the best, because it is all built upon verses and hadiths. As for discussion and debate, *al-Sawa'iq al-Mursalah 'ala Ahl al-Jahiliyyah* by Ibn al-Qayyim and its abridgment are among the best I have seen for a student of knowledge in terms of discussion. This is beneficial because he (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions the main issues in which there is disagreement, then he debates these people, or more accurately, he argues with them until the truth becomes clear... Its name is al-Mawsili; in any case, the abridgment is known as *Mukhtasar al-Sawa'iq al-Mursalah* under this name.
The Shaykh : By Allah, the books are numerous and differ in methodology. For example, regarding mere affirmation of the creed, *al-Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah* is among the best, because it is all built upon verses and hadiths. As for discussion and debate, *al-Sawa'iq al-Mursalah 'ala Ahl al-Jahiliyyah* by Ibn al-Qayyim and its abridgment are among the best I have seen for a student of knowledge in terms of discussion. This is beneficial because he (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions the main issues in which there is disagreement, then he debates these people, or more accurately, he argues with them until the truth becomes clear... Its name is al-Mawsili; in any case, the abridgment is known as *Mukhtasar al-Sawa'iq al-Mursalah* under this name.