Ibn Kathir on Imam ar-Razi
Ibn Kathir states in his Tabaqat al-Shaf’iyyeen regarding Imam ar-Razi:
“The exegete and theologian, renowned author of famous works and numerous distinguished virtues, initially studied under his father, Imam Diya' al-Din Amr, who was a disciple of the reviver of the Sunnah, al-Baghawi. After the death of his father, he sought out Kamal al-Samnani and studied under him for a period. He then returned to Rayy, where he studied with al-Majd al-Hanbali, a disciple of Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Faqih, one of the students of al-Ghazali. He mastered many sciences, excelled in them, and advanced to a position of leadership and prominence, attracting students from various regions.
He authored works in numerous fields, among them his famous Tafsir, a commentary on Surah Al-Fatiha in a separate volume, a commentary on Al-Asma’ al-Husna, and a work on the virtues of al-Shafi‘i, which contains strange anecdotes. He also wrote a commentary on Al-Wajiz, either partially or in full, a commentary on Saqt al-Zand, a commentary on Al-Mufassal wal-Mahsul fi Usul al-Fiqh, as well as Al-Muntakhab. Other works include Al-Arba‘un fi ‘Ilm al-Kalam, Nihayat al-‘Uqul, Al-Matalib al-‘Aliyah, Ta’sis al-Taqdis, Al-Mulakhkhas, and a commentary on Al-Isharat in legal principles, along with other works of innovation.
Among his works, as mentioned by alQadi Shams al-Din Ibn Khallikan, is Kitab al-Sirr al-Maktum on the invocation of the sun and stars. It was said that he composed this for the mother of the Khwarazmian king, who offered him a reward for doing so, and that he completed the work as a technical exercise, given his mastery of the sciences. However, some have denied that this work is among his compositions. And Allah knows best.
He held a large assembly for preaching, where he spoke eloquently and demonstrated great skill in delivering sermons in both Arabic and Turkish. People from various backgrounds and schools of thought attended his sessions, including princes, dignitaries, and kings. His gatherings were often marked by a profound sense of emotion and humility, to the extent that many individuals passed away due to the intensity of the spiritual experience.
Disputes and conflicts arose between him and some political figures, leading to his persecution and their hostility toward him. He would criticize them in his assemblies, and they would retaliate. As a result, he was expelled from certain towns, as noted by al-Qadi Ibn Khallikan. He later returned to his hometown, where a wealthy and virtuous man, nearing death, entrusted his wealth to Imam Fakhr al-Din. This man had two daughters, and Fakhr al-Din had two sons, so he arranged for them to marry.
Wealth greatly increased for Fakhr al-Din, and he garnered the favor of kings. His income became abundant, and he acquired many livestock, as well as prestige, servants, and attendants. He was praised extensively, with exaggerated descriptions of his virtues and accomplishments. However, Shaykh Taqi al-Din Ibn al-Salah was not inclined toward him and perhaps diminished his standing. Shaykh Abu Shama took a middle stance, noting that Fakhr al-Din left behind eighty thousand dinars upon his death. And Allah knows best.
I said: Fakhr al-Din’s pen ventured into numerous fields of knowledge, and his intellectual influence expanded, particularly in the discipline of kalam, where it was said that he had memorized Al-Shamil by Imam al-Haramayn in this field. He expressed numerous opinions across various works, some of which contradicted each other. However, his most significant work in the methodology of Ahlul Kalam was Nihayat al-‘Uqul, which is among his finest writings. Likewise, his book Al-Arba‘in is notable. As for Al-Mabahith al-Mashriqiyya, most of it follows the path of philosophy and the doctrines of the philosophers. His work Al-Matalib al-‘Aliya is the most comprehensive of all these, being the last work he composed in this domain, although he did not complete it and left some portions unfinished. It was later said that he regretted engaging in this discipline, as mentioned by Shaykh Taqi al-Din Ibn al-Salah, may God have mercy on him…”
Recommended Reading:
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani on Imam ar-Razi
Abu Al-Abbass Al-Qurtubi (d. 656 A.H.) on the Regret of Some Mutakallimun