Islamic Aqidah

Slides for subject Islamic Aqidah at IIUM ( International Islamic University of Malaysia)

1. The Definition of ‘AqidahThe Definition of ‘Aqidah
According to Hans Wehr’s dictionary: According to Hans Wehr’s dictionary:
Article of faith, Tenet, doctrine; Article of faith, Tenet, doctrine;
Dogma; Dogma;
Creed, faith, belief; Creed, faith, belief;
Conviction (Wehr, 1986: 628). Conviction (Wehr, 1986: 628).
According to al-Fayyumi (p. 160) in his According to al-Fayyumi (p. 160) in his Misbah al-Misbah al-
munirmunir: :
mÉ yadÊnu al-insÉn bi-h mÉ yadÊnu al-insÉn bi-h ((
هبناسنلانيديام

هبناسنلانيديام
))
““A doctrine which one is firmly settled or determined and to A doctrine which one is firmly settled or determined and to
which one holds and adheres” (Lane, 1984:2107). which one holds and adheres” (Lane, 1984:2107).

2. ‘‘Aqidah is a firm and unwavering belief which is Aqidah is a firm and unwavering belief which is
not open to any doubt with its beholder.not open to any doubt with its beholder.
‘‘Aqidah linguistically is derived from the term Aqidah linguistically is derived from the term
‘aqada-‘aqada-
--to tie the cord, or rope, to knit it; to tie the cord, or rope, to knit it;
-to complicate it so as to form a knot or knots; -to complicate it so as to form a knot or knots;
-to tie it in a knot or knots; -to tie it in a knot or knots;
-to tie it firmly, fast, or strongly.-to tie it firmly, fast, or strongly.
-The sayings: -The sayings: ‘aqada al-bay‘‘aqada al-bay‘ or or ‘aqada al-‘ahd‘aqada al-‘ahd or ‘ or ‘aqada aqada
al-yam n
ī
al-yam n
ī
mean “he concluded, settled, confirmed mean “he concluded, settled, confirmed
or ratified the sale, or bargain, and the contract, or ratified the sale, or bargain, and the contract,
compact, covenant, agreement or league”.compact, covenant, agreement or league”.

3. Root Word: ‘Root Word: ‘aqada qalba-hu f
ī
aqada qalba-hu f
ī
kadhɔkadhɔ
•Here means a firm determination of the heart Here means a firm determination of the heart
and mind upon something.and mind upon something.
In a specific sense, ‘aqidah is a doctrine of faith. In a specific sense, ‘aqidah is a doctrine of faith.
Its plural is ‘aqaid which imply things that need Its plural is ‘aqaid which imply things that need
to be believed in within the scopes of Islamic to be believed in within the scopes of Islamic
principles.principles.
‘‘Aqidah Islamiyyah (Islamic ‘aqidah) refers to the Aqidah Islamiyyah (Islamic ‘aqidah) refers to the
belief in the articles of faith. belief in the articles of faith.
Islamic ‘aqidah is a very strong tieIslamic ‘aqidah is a very strong tie

4. •Two literal meanings of ‘aqidah:Two literal meanings of ‘aqidah:
•1. External (1. External (hissihissi) : “a strong knot, contract and ) : “a strong knot, contract and
the like (a compact, a covenant, an agreement, a the like (a compact, a covenant, an agreement, a
league, a treaty or an engagement).”league, a treaty or an engagement).”
•2. Internal (2. Internal (ma‘nawima‘nawi):):
•((1) A firm contract, covenant and first principle 1) A firm contract, covenant and first principle
that will never change; that will never change;
•(2) Principle, value and emotional tie, which (2) Principle, value and emotional tie, which
become a mover for a personal feeling towards become a mover for a personal feeling towards
others, tying and binding them together; others, tying and binding them together;
•(3) Natural disposition, sound nature, method (3) Natural disposition, sound nature, method
and a strong bond which unite the hearts; and and a strong bond which unite the hearts; and
•(4) Firm ties and commitment made on the basis (4) Firm ties and commitment made on the basis
of reason and heart (Darwish, 1992:7-8). of reason and heart (Darwish, 1992:7-8).

5. TECHNICAL MEANINGS OF ‘AQIDAHTECHNICAL MEANINGS OF ‘AQIDAH
Shaykh Abd al-Rahman HabannÉkah (1983:33): Shaykh Abd al-Rahman HabannÉkah (1983:33):
““The arrival of consciousness at the thing to the extent The arrival of consciousness at the thing to the extent
that it moves our sentiments, and controls our that it moves our sentiments, and controls our
attitudes.”attitudes.”
Sa‘id Ramadan al-Buti (1402H:70-71):Sa‘id Ramadan al-Buti (1402H:70-71):
““A perfect conviction and recognition of [the article of] A perfect conviction and recognition of [the article of]
faith without any change and omission as well as a faith without any change and omission as well as a
complete submission to all pillars of Islam.”complete submission to all pillars of Islam.”

6. Dr. ‘AbdullDr. ‘AbdullÉÉh ‘Azzh ‘AzzÉÉm (n.d:20):m (n.d:20):
““A firm agreement and strong handhold which are A firm agreement and strong handhold which are
established in the heart, and deeply rooted in the established in the heart, and deeply rooted in the
bottoms [of the heart].”bottoms [of the heart].”
Dr. SulaymDr. SulaymÉÉn al-Ashqar (1995:11):n al-Ashqar (1995:11):
““Matters in which individual believed and accepted Matters in which individual believed and accepted
as truth, and the heart also repose in them. Its as truth, and the heart also repose in them. Its
beholders are fully certain with them without any beholders are fully certain with them without any
mixture of doubt and suspicion.”mixture of doubt and suspicion.”

7. Dr. Mahmud al-Khalidī (1985:18):Dr. Mahmud al-Khalidī (1985:18):
““AqAqīīdahdah as “conviction” ( as “conviction” (al-al-īīmÉnmÉn). For him, ). For him,
Islamic Islamic ‘aq‘aqīīdahdah is synonymous with is synonymous with al-al-īīmÉnmÉn, ,
and he defines it as “a firm conviction which is and he defines it as “a firm conviction which is
in agreement with the reality arising out of in agreement with the reality arising out of
evidence.”evidence.”
-Evidence is derived from two sources, namely -Evidence is derived from two sources, namely
traditional (traditional (naqlnaqlīī) and rational () and rational (‘aql‘aqlīī))

8. •Many definitions of Islamic Many definitions of Islamic ‘aqdah
ī
‘aqdah
ī
, but the , but the
intended meaning is always the same:  intended meaning is always the same:  
•(1) Doctrine which Allah has made it as the (1) Doctrine which Allah has made it as the
foundation of religion, and Allah also has made foundation of religion, and Allah also has made
it obligatory for his servant to believe in it. If not it obligatory for his servant to believe in it. If not
they become unbeliever. they become unbeliever.
•(2) A conviction ((2) A conviction (al-Êm n
ā
al-Êm n
ā
): “ a firm, ): “ a firm,
unwavering belief which is not open to any unwavering belief which is not open to any
doubt with its beholders”. “It is absolutely free doubt with its beholders”. “It is absolutely free
of doubt of probability, of guessing and of doubt of probability, of guessing and
uncertainty.” (Faruqi, 1992: 40).uncertainty.” (Faruqi, 1992: 40).

9. The Difference between ‘Aqidah and The Difference between ‘Aqidah and
Shari’ahShari’ah
•‘‘Aqidah is equivalent Aqidah is equivalent
to iman (belief).to iman (belief).
•‘‘aqidah will never aqidah will never
change.change.
•Shari’ah is equivalent Shari’ah is equivalent
to ‘ibadah (deeds).to ‘ibadah (deeds).
•Shari’ah differs in Shari’ah differs in
teaching of each teaching of each
prophet.prophet.

10. ‘‘Aqidah comprises of three major important Aqidah comprises of three major important
elements:elements:
Metaphysical teachings in IslamMetaphysical teachings in Islam
Doctrinal teaching in IslamDoctrinal teaching in Islam
Philosophical teachings in Islam.Philosophical teachings in Islam.
All these elements become part and parcel of All these elements become part and parcel of
Islamic ‘aqidahIslamic ‘aqidah

11. Other Terms for Islamic Other Terms for Islamic ‘aqidah‘aqidah
•al-Imanal-Iman
•al-Urwat al-wuthqaal-Urwat al-wuthqa
•al-Tawhidal-Tawhid
•Usul al-dinUsul al-din
•Ilm al-kalamIlm al-kalam
•al-Tasawwur al-al-Tasawwur al-
IslamiIslami or Islamic or Islamic
worldviewworldview

12. al-imanal-iman (Belief or Conviction) (Belief or Conviction)
•The term The term imaniman refers to the hadith of Jibril refers to the hadith of Jibril
whereby Jibril comes to the Prophet whereby Jibril comes to the Prophet
(SAW), and asks him about (SAW), and asks him about IslamIslam, , imaniman
and and ihsanihsan. .
•The Prophet answered that The Prophet answered that imaniman is “that is “that
you believe in Allah and His angels and you believe in Allah and His angels and
His Books and His messengers and in the His Books and His messengers and in the
Last Day, and in predestination (Last Day, and in predestination (qadrqadr), ),
both in its good and in its evil.” (Nawawi, both in its good and in its evil.” (Nawawi,
1996:4). 1996:4).

13. al-Urwat al-wuthqaal-Urwat al-wuthqa (The strong and (The strong and
Trustworthy Handhold):Trustworthy Handhold):
•It is the testimony (It is the testimony (shahadahshahadah) there is no god but ) there is no god but
Allah (Yasin, n.d: 232). Allah (Yasin, n.d: 232).
•Referred to as Referred to as al-urwat al-wuthqaal-urwat al-wuthqa to show the to show the
value of firmness and surety the word has value of firmness and surety the word has
substantiated. substantiated.
•““There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right
Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever
disbelieves in taghut and believes in Allah then he has disbelieves in taghut and believes in Allah then he has
grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never
breakbreak” (Q 2:256). ” (Q 2:256).

14. al-Tawhidal-Tawhid
•Oneness or the Conviction and Witnessing that is Oneness or the Conviction and Witnessing that is
no god but Allah. no god but Allah.
•It is the main part and the key to the study of It is the main part and the key to the study of
Islamic Islamic ‘aqidah‘aqidah. .
•““Say: He is Allah, (the) One. Allah – the Self-Say: He is Allah, (the) One. Allah – the Self-
Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither
eats nor drinks). He begets not nor was He begotten. And eats nor drinks). He begets not nor was He begotten. And
there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.”there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.” (Q 114: (Q 114:
1-4). 1-4).
•Al-Taw^idAl-Taw^id is the basis for believing in angels, is the basis for believing in angels,
books, prophets, the Last Day and books, prophets, the Last Day and
predestination. predestination.

15. Usul al-dinUsul al-din
•Roots or foundation of ReligionRoots or foundation of Religion
•The term describes that Islamic The term describes that Islamic ‘aqidah‘aqidah is the is the
basis and foundation of the religion of Islam. basis and foundation of the religion of Islam.
•Three main roots: Divinity, prophethood and Three main roots: Divinity, prophethood and
unseen matters. unseen matters.
•To be a Muslim, he must believe and accept To be a Muslim, he must believe and accept
Islamic Islamic ‘aqidah‘aqidah

16. ‘‘Ilm al-kalamIlm al-kalam (Speculative theology): (Speculative theology):
•It is a rational elaboration of Islamic It is a rational elaboration of Islamic ‘aqidah‘aqidah
and a mechanism of defending it from the and a mechanism of defending it from the
doubters.doubters.
al-Tasawwur al-Islamial-Tasawwur al-Islami (Islamic worldview) (Islamic worldview)
• It signifies the vision of reality and truth It signifies the vision of reality and truth
based on Islam that reveals what existence based on Islam that reveals what existence
((wujudwujud) is all about. ) is all about.
•This includes the nature of God, creation, This includes the nature of God, creation,
life, and man. life, and man.

17. The Objectives of Islamic ‘AqidahThe Objectives of Islamic ‘Aqidah
•To guide man to the truth. To guide man to the truth.
–It appears that throughout history man has It appears that throughout history man has
recognized wrongly some deities and has recognized wrongly some deities and has
worshipped them. Islamic worshipped them. Islamic ‘aqidah‘aqidah then then
explained the comprehensive teachings of explained the comprehensive teachings of
Islam based on tawhid.Islam based on tawhid.

18. •To provide a single coherent value system. To provide a single coherent value system.
-this system embraces our emotional -this system embraces our emotional
attachment to the truth and moral ideals. attachment to the truth and moral ideals. By By
implication, its believer will stand implication, its believer will stand for its for its
implementation and fight for its implementation and fight for its realization in his realization in his
life as well as the life life as well as the life of societyof society..
•To guide human action to the highest moral To guide human action to the highest moral
ground. ground.
-It becomes the basis for action. The -It becomes the basis for action. The well well
being of man, therefore, depends being of man, therefore, depends upon upon ‘aqidah‘aqidah
that is accompanied by that is accompanied by good action. It is not good action. It is not
just a dogmatic just a dogmatic assertion of salvational assertion of salvational
justification of justification of Christianity.Christianity.

19. •To lead man to life of obedience and submission To lead man to life of obedience and submission
to the will of Allah. One who lives this life of to the will of Allah. One who lives this life of
submission is called Muslim.submission is called Muslim.
•To make man understand the central position that To make man understand the central position that
man occupies in the universe and the ultimate man occupies in the universe and the ultimate
purpose of his existence. This knowledge in turn purpose of his existence. This knowledge in turn
defines the role of man in the universe and the defines the role of man in the universe and the
parameters of his activities and his relation to his parameters of his activities and his relation to his
Creator.Creator.
•To define the Muslim’s way of life and the kind of To define the Muslim’s way of life and the kind of
system established by this way of life, that is to system established by this way of life, that is to
say Islam as the way of life.say Islam as the way of life.
•To initiate a special kind of To initiate a special kind of ummahummah (community) (community)
that came to lead mankind, to establish the way of that came to lead mankind, to establish the way of
Allah on earth, and to save people from the misery Allah on earth, and to save people from the misery
brought by misguided leadership, erroneous ways, brought by misguided leadership, erroneous ways,
and false concepts. and false concepts.

20. Sources of Islamic ‘AqidahSources of Islamic ‘Aqidah
Qur’an and SunnahQur’an and Sunnah
Ijma’ al ‘ulama’Ijma’ al ‘ulama’
Human nature (fitrah)Human nature (fitrah)
Reason (‘aql)Reason (‘aql)