Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s9.t3.6

v1.c7.s9.t3.6

As the leading Islamic scholar of his time, Ma is most famous for producing first authentic translation of the holy Qur’an in Chinese entitled, *A Direct Explanation of the Treasured Mandate of the True Scripture* [Baoming Zhenjing Zhijie 宝明真经直解]. His other important works reflect his exposition of theoretical and theological basis for the coexistence of Islamic and Confucian culture, strong rejection of incorporation of Daoist and Buddhist elements in practising Islam, and a positive attitude towards Tasawwuf or Sufi mysticism. Of his more than 30 publications, the noteworthy are *A Summary of the Great Transformation* [Dahua zonggui 大化總归], *Essence of the Four Canons* [Sidian Yaohui 四典要会], *Record of the Pilgrimage Journey* [Chaojin Tuji 朝觐途記], *Completing the Path of the Way* [Daoxing Jiujing 道行究竟], *Essential Discourse on Returning to God* (Huigui Yaoyu 会归要語]. His Arabic works include *Tahqiq al-Salat* [*The Verification of Prayer*], *Akadhib al-Nasara* [*Lies of the Christians*], *Mushtaq* [*Yearning*], *Munabbihat* [*Stimuli*], *al-Muhkam* [*The Definite*] and *Asrar al-Ma’ad* [*Secrets of the Return*]. To the Sino-Islamic intellectual tradition, Ma Dexin thus made a lasting contribution.