بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Introduction
This post begins our journey through Al-Qawa’id Al-Arba’ (The Four Principles) by Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab. This book outlines four fundamental principles that help distinguish between monotheism and polytheism.
Chapter 1: The First Principle - Knowledge
What are the Four Principles?
The Four Principles are fundamental rules that help Muslims understand the difference between Tauhid (monotheism) and Shirk (polytheism). They are essential for proper Islamic belief and practice. These principles were established by Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab to clarify the correct understanding of monotheism.
Quranic Evidence
فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنبِكَSo know that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin.Quran 47:19
وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِAnd they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.Quran 98:5
Hadith Evidence
أَفْضَلُ الْجِهَادِ أَنْ يُجَاهِدَ الرَّجُلُ نَفْسَهُ وَهَوَاهُThe most excellent jihad is that for the conquest of self.Sahih al-Bukhari
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍSeeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.Sunan Ibn Majah
The First Principle: Knowledge
The first principle is knowledge - understanding the difference between the worship of the monotheists and the worship of the polytheists.
What is Knowledge?
Knowledge in this context refers to:
- Knowing Allah - Understanding who He is and His rights
- Knowing the Prophet (ﷺ) - Understanding his role and following him
- Knowing the religion - Understanding Islam with its proofs
- Knowing the opposite of these - Understanding what opposes true belief
The Importance of Knowledge
- Knowledge is the foundation of all Islamic practice
- Without knowledge, worship becomes meaningless
- Knowledge protects from innovation and misguidance
- Knowledge is the first step towards proper belief and action
The Four Matters of Knowledge
The author mentions four essential matters that every person must know:
- Knowledge - Knowing Allah, His Messenger, and the religion
- Action - Acting upon this knowledge
- Calling - Inviting others to this knowledge
- Patience - Being patient upon the harm that comes from calling to the truth
Key Lessons
- Knowledge is the first and most important principle
- True worship requires proper knowledge
- Knowledge must be followed by action
- We must call others to the truth with patience