The Principles of Religion by Rabban Daniel Ibn al-Ḥaṭṭāb: A 13th century synopsis of Syriac Orthodox belief

This volume presents the first ever edition, translation and commentary of The Principles of Religion, written by the Syriac Orthodox monk Daniel Ibn al-Ḥaṭṭāb during the Syriac Renaissance of the 13th century. Drawing on Syriac literature, he systematically explains and defend the principles of Syriac Orthodox religion in Arabic garb.

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“The most important of all things sought.” Thus the Syriac Orthodox monk Rabban Daniel Ibn al-Ḥaṭṭāb describes the subject of his The Principles of Religion, written in the 13th century, probably in South-East Anatolia. In this treatise, Rabban Daniel Ibn al-Ḥaṭṭāb systematically explained and defended fundamental commitments of Syriac Orthodox theology.

This volume provides an introduction, a critical edition of the Arabic text, an English translation, and extensive commentary on the influences on The Principles of Religion, particularly from Syriac sources. This editio princeps offers the reader a new window into the literary culture of the Syriac Orthodox Church during the years of the Syriac Renaissance.