Aqeedah
Comprehensive guide to Islamic belief and creed according to the methodology of the Salaf
Source: Based on the authentic teachings of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) and classical Islamic scholars including Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Wahhab, Ibn Taymiyyah, and other eminent scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.
Introduction to Aqeedah
Aqeedah (عقيدة) refers to the Islamic creed or belief system. It encompasses all matters of faith and belief that a Muslim must hold as true.
The correct Aqeedah is the foundation upon which all other aspects of Islam are built.
The word "Aqeedah" comes from the Arabic root "عقد" which means to tie, bind, or fasten. This indicates that Aqeedah is something that is firmly established in the heart and mind, like a strong knot that cannot be easily undone.
Important Note:
The Aqeedah presented here is based on the methodology of the Salaf (the righteous predecessors) - the first three generations of Muslims: the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, their followers (Tabi'een), and the followers of the followers (Tabi' Tabi'een).
This methodology is characterized by:
- Following the Quran and authentic Sunnah
- Understanding Islam as understood by the early generations
- Avoiding innovation (Bid'ah) in matters of belief and practice
- Rejecting extremism and negligence
- Maintaining unity and avoiding division
Tawhid (Monotheism)
Tawhid (توحيد) is the most fundamental concept in Islam. It means the oneness and uniqueness of Allah in His Lordship, His right to be worshipped, and His names and attributes.
The word "Tawhid" comes from the Arabic root "وحد" which means to make one or to unify. In Islamic terminology, it refers to the belief in the absolute oneness of Allah.
Definition:
Tawhid is the belief that Allah is One in His essence, His attributes, and His actions. He has no partners, equals, or rivals in any aspect of His divinity.
Allah says in the Quran:
Quran 112:1-4
"Say: He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
This chapter (Surah Al-Ikhlas) is considered the essence of Tawhid and is equivalent to one-third of the Quran in its importance.
Three Categories of Tawhid
1. Tawhid Ar-Rububiyyah
Oneness in Lordship - Believing that Allah is the only Lord, Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of all creation.
This includes belief in Allah's existence, His oneness, His names and attributes, and that He alone deserves worship.
2. Tawhid Al-Uluhiyyah
Oneness in Worship - Believing that Allah alone deserves to be worshipped and that all acts of worship must be directed to Him alone.
This includes prayer, supplication, sacrifice, vowing, seeking help, and all other forms of worship.
3. Tawhid Al-Asma' wa As-Sifat
Oneness in Names and Attributes - Believing in Allah's names and attributes as He has described Himself and as the Prophet ﷺ described Him.
This includes affirming Allah's attributes without distortion, denial, or likening them to creation.
Important Understanding:
These three categories are interconnected and cannot be separated. A person cannot have complete Tawhid without believing in all three categories.
Shirk (Polytheism)
Shirk (شرك) is the opposite of Tawhid. It means associating partners with Allah in any aspect of His divinity.
It is the greatest sin in Islam and the only sin that Allah will not forgive if one dies upon it without repentance.
Allah says in the Quran:
"Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills." (Quran 4:48)
Types of Shirk:
Major Shirk (Shirk Akbar):
- Worshipping other than Allah
- Making supplication to other than Allah
- Seeking help from other than Allah
- Making vows to other than Allah
- Sacrificing to other than Allah
Minor Shirk (Shirk Asghar):
- Showing off in acts of worship
- Swearing by other than Allah
- Saying "what Allah wills and you will"
- Wearing amulets and charms
- Believing in omens and superstitions
Six Pillars of Iman (Faith)
The Prophet ﷺ defined Iman (faith) in the famous hadith of Jibril when he said:
"Iman is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in the divine decree, both the good and the evil thereof."
1. Belief in Allah
Believing in Allah's existence, His oneness, His names and attributes, and that He alone deserves worship.
2. Belief in Angels
Believing in the existence of angels, their nature, their functions, and their names that we know of.
3. Belief in Books
Believing that Allah revealed books to His messengers, including the Quran, Torah, Gospel, and others.
4. Belief in Messengers
Believing that Allah sent messengers to every nation, and that Muhammad ﷺ is the final messenger.
5. Belief in Last Day
Believing in the Day of Judgment, resurrection, paradise, hell, and all events of the hereafter.
6. Belief in Qadr
Believing in divine decree, both the good and the evil thereof, and that everything happens by Allah's will.
Five Pillars of Islam
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Islam is built upon five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayer, paying the zakat, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan."
1. Shahadah
Declaration of Faith: "La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur rasulullah" (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah).
This is the foundation of Islam and the first step towards becoming a Muslim.
2. Salah
Prayer: Performing the five daily prayers at their prescribed times with proper purification and facing the Ka'bah.
3. Zakat
Charity: Giving 2.5% of one's wealth annually to the poor and needy when one's wealth reaches the minimum threshold (Nisab).
4. Sawm
Fasting: Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations.
5. Hajj
Pilgrimage: Making the pilgrimage to the Ka'bah in Makkah at least once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able.
Attributes of Allah
Allah has described Himself with various names and attributes in the Quran and through His Messenger ﷺ. The correct approach is to affirm these attributes without distortion (Tahrif), denial (Ta'teel), likening them to creation (Tamtheel), or asking how they are (Takyeef).
The Methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah:
"We affirm what Allah has affirmed for Himself and what His Messenger ﷺ has affirmed for Him, without distortion, denial, likening, or asking how."
Essential Attributes:
- Life (Al-Hayy)
- Knowledge (Al-'Alim)
- Power (Al-Qadir)
- Will (Al-Murid)
- Hearing (As-Sami')
- Seeing (Al-Basir)
- Speech (Al-Kalam)
Beautiful Names:
Allah has 99 beautiful names (Asma' ul-Husna) that describe His perfect attributes. Some of the most important include:
- Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful)
- Ar-Raheem (The Most Compassionate)
- Al-Malik (The King)
- Al-Quddus (The Most Holy)
- As-Salam (The Source of Peace)
Belief in the Messengers
Belief in the messengers includes believing that Allah sent messengers to every nation to guide them to the truth and warn them against falsehood.
Key Beliefs:
- Allah sent messengers to every nation
- All messengers were human beings, not divine
- All messengers were infallible in conveying the message
- Muhammad ﷺ is the final messenger
- No messenger will come after Muhammad ﷺ
Allah mentions some messengers by name in the Quran, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad ﷺ. We believe in all messengers mentioned and not mentioned by name.
Belief in the Last Day
Belief in the Last Day includes believing in all events that will occur after death, including the grave, resurrection, judgment, paradise, and hell.
Events of the Hereafter:
- Death and the grave
- Questioning in the grave
- Resurrection
- Gathering on the Day of Judgment
- Account and judgment
- Crossing the Bridge (As-Sirat)
- Paradise and Hell
Signs of the Hour:
- Minor signs (many have already occurred)
- Major signs (yet to come)
- The appearance of the Dajjal
- The descent of Jesus (peace be upon him)
- The appearance of Ya'juj and Ma'juj
- The rising of the sun from the west
Qadr (Divine Decree)
Belief in Qadr (divine decree) means believing that everything that happens in the universe is by Allah's knowledge, will, and decree, while maintaining that human beings have free will and are responsible for their actions.
The Four Levels of Qadr:
- Knowledge: Allah knows everything that will happen
- Writing: Allah has written everything in the Preserved Tablet
- Will: Nothing happens except by Allah's will
- Creation: Allah is the Creator of everything
This belief helps us understand that while Allah has decreed everything, we are still responsible for our choices and actions. We should strive to do good and avoid evil, while accepting that the ultimate outcome is in Allah's hands.
Further Reading
For deeper study of Aqeedah, we recommend reading the following books from our collection:
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