Al-Kharida Al-Bahia: An Abridged English Commentary

Al-Kharida al-Bahia (the Glimmering Pearl) is an introductory text for students of ‘ilm Al-Kalam. Like many other works written for teaching purposes in the Islamic world, the Kharida is actually a poem. Students studying this poem under a teacher, would be expected to memorize the entire text, before attending lessons with their teacher in which he would commentate on each line.
What follows is a summarized English commentary on the Kharida. Each chapter will begin with a translated portion of the poem, followed by a commentary on that portion. The commentary draws from material found elsewhere on this blog, but simplifies this material further. There is also greater focus on the textual basis for the Ash’ari position on various creedal issues.