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Azzam Publications
BCM Uhud
London WC1N 3XX
UNITED KINGDOM
http://www.azzam.com
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THE SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPLES OF
AHL-US-SUNNAH WAL-JAMAAAH IN AQEEDAH

Taken from MujMal Usool Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah Fil-'Aqeedah
by Dr. Nasir bin 'Abdul-Kareem al-'Aql

In the Name of Allah The Most Merciful, The Giver of Mercy

Introduction

Al-Aqeedah linguistically - means knot (al-'Aqd), consolidation (at-Tawtheeq) , perfection (al-IHkaam) or tying with strength. Technically (in Shari'ah) - means the decisive Iman (Faith) that is not open to doubts to the one believing in it.

Therefore The Islamic 'Aqeedah Means:

The Decisive Iman (belief) in:

1) Allah - and what it necessitates regarding (His) TawHeed (Oneness) and (His) Obedience
2) His Angels
3) His Books
4) His Messengers
5) The Last Day
6) Al-Qadr (The Divine Destiny)
7) All the rest that has been proven about the matters of al-Ghaib (the Unseen)
8) The reports that are certain whether regarding knowledge or action.

As-Salaf (The Pious Predecessors)

They are the leaders of this Ummah, (who are) the SaHaabah, their followers and the Imams of guidance in the (first) three favoured generations.  And it is said about anyone who imitates these people and follows their method in all other generations - a Salafi - linked to them (the first three generations).

Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'a

They are upon what the Prophet SAW and his Companions were upon. They are called Ahl-us-Sunnah - because of their sticking to and following the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW. They are called al-Jamaa'ah (Group/gathering) - because they gather upon the truth and do not divide in the Deen.  They gather upon the correct Imams and do not rebel against them, and follow whatever has been unanimously agreed upon by the Salaf of this Ummah. Since they are the followers of the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW, the followers of the al-Athar (traditions), they are known as - Ahl-ul-Hadeeth (people of Hadeeth), Ahl-ul-Athar and Ahl-ul-Ittiba' (People of Adherence), and they are called "at-Taa'ifa-tul-Mansoorah" i.e. The Victorious Group) and "al-Firqa-tun-Naajiyah" (The Saved Sect).

Chapter 1 --- The Foundations and The Principles in the Method of Acceptance and Deduction:

1.  The Source of 'Aqeedah is the Book of Allah (i.e. The Qur'an), the Authenticated (SaHiH) Sunnah of His Messenger SAW and the consensus of the Salaf as-SaaliH

2.  All that has been proven authentic from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah SAW, its acceptance is an obligation even if it is AHad (Singularly transmitted narration).

3.  The authoritative reference in understanding The Book and The Sunnah are the clear texts for it (Qur'an and the Sunnah), and the understanding of the Salaf SaaliH, and whoever follows their methodology from the scholars.  Then whatever has been correctly understood according to the language of the Arabs, but (at the same time) not obstructing that which has been established, by linguistic possibilities.

4.  All the Principles of the Deen have been explained by the Prophet SAW, and no one has the right to invent something, claiming that it is from the Deen.

5.  (Total) Submission to Allah, His Messenger SAW, outwardly and inwardly, without obstructing anything from The Book of Allah or the Authentic Sunnah, with Qiyaas (Analytical Deduction), or perceptively, or (so-called) Kashf (illumination) or saying of some Sheikh, or Imam or else.

6.  The Pure Intellect is in accordance with Naqal as-SaHiH (i.e. Qur'an and Sunnah), and their certainties never contradict each other.  If there is a possibility of contradiction, then an-Naqal (i.e. Qur'an & Sunnah) is given precedence.

7.  It is necessary to adhere to Islamic terminology in 'Aqeedah and to abstain from Innovative terms. Concise terms that can be wrong or right, their explanation is sought concerning their meanings whatever is true affirmed by its Shar'ee term - and whatever is false is refuted.

8.  Sinlessness of the Messenger SAW is a proven fact.  The Ummah as a whole is innocent of being united upon misguidance.  As for individuals, then there is no claim of sinlessness amongst them.  Whatever the scholars or others besides them differ in, then the reference is to The Book and The Sunnah.  While at the same time making accuses for the one mistaken from the Mujtahids of the Ummah.

9.  In the Ummah there are people that are inspired.  The Good Dreams are true and they are a portion of Prophethood.  Al-Firaasatus-Saadiqa (i.e. intuitive knowledge about human nature is true, and these are miracles and glad tidings - as long as they are in accordance with the Shar' (Revelation of Allah i.e. The Book and The Sunnah) - and are not the source of 'Aqeedah or legislation.

10. Argumentation in the Deen is reprehensible, and discussion in a good manner is sanctioned (by Allah).  Whatever prohibition has been authentically na , about diving into a particular issue, then it is obligatory to follow it.  It is also obligatory not to plunge into matters about which a Muslim has no knowledge, and the knowledge of that matter is entrusted to The Knower (i.e. Allah) of that matter, Glory be to Him.

11.  It is necessary to stick to the Revelation (i.e. The Book and the Sunnah) in Refutations, like it is necessary in the matters of beliefs and decisions.  Therefore, an innovation is not refuted with (another) innovation, nor negligence is replaced with extremism or vice-versa.

12.  Every newly invented matter in the Deen is a Bid'ah (an innovation), and every innovation is a misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hell-Fire.

Chapter 2 At-TawHeed (Oneness of Allah) in knowledge and beliefs:


1.  The Principle regarding the Names of Allah and His Attributes is:

To affirm whatever He has affirmed regarding Himself, or whatever has been affirmed by His Messenger regarding Him - Without making Tamtheel (likening to His creation) or Takyeef (asking "HOW?").  To deny whatever He has denied concerning Himself, or whatever has been denied by His Messenger SAW regarding Him without TaHreef (substituting the literal meaning with another meaning) or Ta'Teel (total denial), as the All-Mighty has said (which means): :

"There is nothing like unto Him - and - amee' (All-Hearing) and al-Baseer (All-Seeing)".

With the belief in the meaning of the text and what they are referring to.

2.  At-Tamtheel and at-Ta'Teel in the Names of Allah and His Attributes are Kufr (Disbelief). As for at-TaHreef, which the people of innovation call "Ta'weel" (explaining away) - then some of it amounts to Kufr, like the Ta'weel of the Baatiniyah (who claimed that the Qur'an has a hidden meaning).  Some of it amounts to misguided innovation, like the Ta'weel that results in the denial of the Attributes (of Allah), and some of it only amounts to mistakes.

3.  The Unity of Existence, and the belief of Allah incarnating into anything from His creation, or uniting with it, is all Kufr, which takes a person outside the Millah (Muslim Nation).

4.  Faith in the noble angels in general.  As for the details, then whatever has been authentically proven from the evidences, regarding their names, attributes and their actions depending on the knowledge of an individual.

5.  Faith in all the books that were sent, and that the Noble Qur'an is the Best of them and abrogating all of them.  And that what came before it has been changed (by the people), and for this reason it is compulsory to obey it (The Qur'an) and not the books that came earlier.

6.  Faith in the Prophets of Allah and His Messengers - May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon them - and that they are the most noble of Mankind, and whoever claims otherwise then he has committed Kufr (i.e. rejected faith).

Whatever has been proven to be authentic about an individual from them (the Prophets) it is obligatory to have faith in that specific matter.  It is obligatory to believe in all of them generally.  And that Muhammad SAW is the best of them and the last of them and that Allah sent him to the whole of Mankind.

7.  Faith in cessation of the revelation after Muhammad SAW, and that he is the seal of the prophets and the messengers.  Whoever believes anything contrary to it, has committed Kufr (rejected faith).

8.  Faith in the Last Day, and whatever knowledge has been proven authentically concerning it - and all that will precede it from the signs and the portents (before the Day of Judgement).

9.  Faith in al-Qadr (Divine Destiny), the good and the bad thereof from Allah the All-Mighty. That is to have faith that Allah All-Mighty knows what will happen before it happens, has written in al-LawH al-MaHfoodh (The Preserved Tablet).  And that whatever Allah wills it happens and whatever He does not will, does not happen except if He wills, and Allah is All-Powerful over everything.  And He is the Creator of everything and the Doer of what he wishes.

10.  Faith in whatever has been proven authentically concerning the unseen, like al-'Arsh (The Throne of Allah) and al-Kursee (The Foot-Stool of Allah).  The Jannah (Paradise) and an-Naar (The Hell-Fire).  The comfort in the grave and the punishment.  The Siraat (The Bridge Path over the Hell-Fire) and the Mizaan (The scales of good/bad deeds), and others besides them without making Ta'weel (explaining away) anything from them.

11.  Faith in the intercession of the Prophet SAW.  The intercession of the Prophets, the angels, the righteous, and others besides them on the Day of Resurrection.  As its details have come in authentic evidences.

12.  The Believers seeing Allah on the day of Resurrection, in the Paradise and in the Resurrection place is true.  Whoever denies it or makes Ta'weel (explains it away), then he is a misguided deviant, and this (seeing Allah) is not possible for anyone in this world.

13.  The miracles of al-Awliya' and as-SaaliHeen (i.e. the righteous people who are close to Allah) is true.  Not every extraordinary incident is a miracle.  Sometimes it just comes about by itself, and sometimes it occurs by the affects of the devils and the people of falsehood.  Its status (i.e. whether right or wrong) depends whether it is in accordance with The Book and the Sunnah or against it.

14.  All the believers (who perform all the obligatory acts and abstain from all the prohibited) are Awliya' of ar-RaHmaan (The One Possesses Mercy), and every believer is closer to Allah depending on the level of his/her Iman.