The Three Fundamental Principles – Chapter 4: The Four Matters Every Person Must Know
A study of Chapter 4 from The Three Fundamental Principles by Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab, focusing on the four essential matters every person must know.
The Three Fundamental Principles – Chapter 4: The Four Matters Every Person Must Know
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Introduction
This post covers Chapter 4 of The Three Fundamental Principles by Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab. This chapter explains the four essential matters that every person must know and act upon - the foundation of Islamic knowledge and practice.
Chapter 4: The Four Matters Every Person Must Know
The Four Essential Matters
The author states that every person must know four matters:
- Knowledge - Knowing Allah, His Messenger, and the religion of Islam
- Action - Acting upon this knowledge
- Calling - Inviting others to this knowledge
- Patience - Being patient upon the harm that comes from calling to the truth
1. Knowledge (العلم)
Arabic Text: العلم
Transliteration: Al-‘Ilm
English Translation: Knowledge
What Knowledge Means
Knowledge refers to understanding:
- Allah - His existence, lordship, names, attributes, and right to worship
- His Messenger - Muhammad (ﷺ), his message, and following his Sunnah
- The Religion of Islam - The fundamentals of faith and practice
Quranic Evidence
“So know that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin.” (Quran 47:19)
“Say: ‘This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me.’” (Quran 12:108)
Hadith Evidence
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.” (Ibn Majah)
2. Action (العمل)
Arabic Text: العمل
Transliteration: Al-‘Amal
English Translation: Action
What Action Means
Action means implementing the knowledge by:
- Worshipping Allah - Performing the obligatory acts of worship
- Following the Sunnah - Emulating the Prophet’s (ﷺ) way
- Avoiding Prohibitions - Staying away from what Allah has forbidden
- Purifying Intentions - Doing everything for Allah’s sake alone
Quranic Evidence
“And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death).” (Quran 15:99)
“Say: ‘Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.’” (Quran 6:162)
Hadith Evidence
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Actions are by intentions, and every person will have what they intended.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
3. Calling (الدعوة)
Arabic Text: الدعوة
Transliteration: Ad-Da’wah
English Translation: Calling/Invitation
What Calling Means
Calling means inviting others to:
- The Truth - The correct understanding of Islam
- Tauhid - Pure monotheism
- The Sunnah - Following the Prophet’s (ﷺ) way
- Avoiding Innovation - Staying away from newly invented matters
Quranic Evidence
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction.” (Quran 16:125)
“And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, ‘Indeed, I am of the Muslims.’” (Quran 41:33)
Hadith Evidence
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Convey from me, even if it is one verse.” (Bukhari)
4. Patience (الصبر)
Arabic Text: الصبر
Transliteration: As-Sabr
English Translation: Patience
What Patience Means
Patience means enduring:
- Harm from Others - When calling to the truth
- Difficulties - In the path of Allah
- Temptations - To abandon the truth
- Trials - With steadfastness and faith
Quranic Evidence
“And be patient, for indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Quran 8:46)
“O you who have believed, be patient and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.” (Quran 3:200)
Hadith Evidence
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.” (Muslim)
The Relationship Between These Four Matters
1. Knowledge Leads to Action
- Without knowledge, actions may be incorrect
- Knowledge must be followed by proper implementation
- Ignorance leads to misguidance
2. Action Validates Knowledge
- Knowledge without action is useless
- True knowledge manifests in righteous deeds
- Actions prove the sincerity of knowledge
3. Calling Spreads Knowledge
- Knowledge must be shared with others
- Calling is a duty upon those who have knowledge
- The Prophet (ﷺ) was sent to call people to Allah
4. Patience Sustains the Call
- Calling to truth often faces opposition
- Patience is essential for success
- Without patience, one may abandon the truth
The Methodology of the Salaf
How the Salaf Applied These Four Matters
-
They Acquired Knowledge First
- Studied the Quran and Sunnah
- Learned from qualified scholars
- Understood the fundamentals before details
-
They Acted Upon Their Knowledge
- Implemented what they learned
- Avoided what they knew was wrong
- Purified their intentions
-
They Called Others to the Truth
- Invited people to Tauhid
- Warned against shirk and innovation
- Used wisdom and good instruction
-
They Were Patient in Their Call
- Endured harm and difficulties
- Remained steadfast in the truth
- Trusted in Allah’s help
Practical Application
For Students of Knowledge
-
Focus on Fundamentals First
- Learn the basics of Tauhid
- Understand the three fundamental principles
- Master the essential knowledge
-
Implement What You Learn
- Practice what you study
- Correct your actions based on knowledge
- Purify your intentions
-
Share Knowledge Appropriately
- Call others with wisdom
- Start with family and close ones
- Use proper methods and manners
-
Be Patient in the Path
- Expect difficulties and opposition
- Remain steadfast in the truth
- Trust in Allah’s promise
Key Lessons
- These four matters are interconnected and essential
- Knowledge without action is incomplete
- Calling to truth is a duty upon Muslims
- Patience is crucial for success in this path
- The Salaf’s methodology provides the correct approach
Conclusion
The four matters - knowledge, action, calling, and patience - form the complete methodology for understanding and practicing Islam correctly. They are not separate concepts but interconnected principles that must be applied together.
Following this methodology ensures that we:
- Learn the correct knowledge
- Implement it properly
- Share it with others
- Remain steadfast in the face of difficulties
This is the path of the Salaf and the way to success in this life and the hereafter.
Previous: Chapter 3 – Knowing the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) Next: Conclusion – The Complete Methodology