The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair showcased a selection of its latest 2025 publications, among them the notable book “Research and Essays by the Distinguished Scholar Mahmoud Abu Daqqa” (died 1940).
This book compiles important articles by Sheikh Mahmoud Abu Daqqa, some originally published in Majalt Nashr al-Fadail wa-al-Adab al-Islamiyah (“The Journal of Islamic Virtues and Manners”), and others in Konooz al-Furqan (“Treasures of Al-Furqan”), Majalat Nour al-Islam (“Light of Islam”), and Majalat al-Islam (“Islam Magazine”).
These articles are categorized into several parts, the first of which is titled “Essays on Creed and Theology.” This part includes numerous articles primarily derived from his book Al-Qawl al-Sadeed (“The Righteous Discourse”), which provides a comprehensive summary of theological studies as developed by the Ash’ari school. It also addresses logical issues supporting these studies, philosophical issues intertwined with theological debates, a concise history of theology, and an overview of theological schools and their prominent figures.
The second part, titled “Essays on Quranic Sciences,” comprises nine articles exploring various aspects of the Quran. These include discussions on the Quran’s unique features, its miraculous nature, and the translation of its meanings. This part also provides an objective interpretation of specific verses and addresses the need to reject Israeli narratives found in some exegesis, advocating for the purification of exegesis texts from these harmful interpretations and the vindication of prophets from the derogatory claims made by such narratives.
The third part, “Essays on Diverse Sharia Topics,” features nine articles addressing a range of jurisprudential issues. It covers topics such as Islam as the divine law that safeguards human interests and ensures both worldly and eternal happiness, the rationale for the institution of marriage in Islam, debates surrounding issues of divorce and separation, comparisons of Islamic inheritance laws with other legal systems, and the concept of jihad in Islam as a form of defense against oppression, rather than aggressive warfare.
The fourth part, titled “Essays on the Virtues of Islam,” features five articles discussing the distinctive merits of Islam. The author describes Islam as the preeminent religion, one that supersedes all prior divine laws. This part extensively explores Islam’s alignment with reason and science and its significant impact on the proliferation of knowledge, counters arguments that Islam has stifled human intellect, and asserts that the Quran’s teachings are sufficiently comprehensive to regulate global affairs.
The Muslim Council of Elders is participating with a special stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, running from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand features a wide array of the Council’s distinguished publications, in addition to hosting a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of kindness, love, peace, and communal coexistence among all people.
The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair is located next to the Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s stand, in Heritage Hall (Hall No. 4), at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in the Fifth Settlement.