Aqeedah

Meaning Aqeedah (ar. العقيدة) in Sunni Orthodoxy refers to the foundational beliefs of the religion understood and transmitted from the Prophet ﷺ, his family, his companions, and the first three generations of Muslims (as-Salaf). These beliefs are what a Muslim holds with certainty in the heart, affirms with the tongue, and does not accept doubt regarding. In Sunni Orthodoxy, it primarily concerns belief in Allah, His attributes, His messengers, revelation, the unseen, and the matters of the Hereafter. In a modern sense, it also refers to the science of aqeedah which has been codified by the scholars of the aforementioned periods.

"Ahl as-Sunnati wal-Jama'ah" Ahl as-Sunnati wal-Jama'ah refers to the majority of the Muslim community who adhere to the Qu'ran, the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and the understanding of his companions, family, and those generations after which followed them in excellence. In matters of belief, they represent the mainstream orthodox position transmitted and codified by classical scholars of theology and creed.

Purpose Aqidah forms the foundation of worship, ethics, and spirituality in Islam. Correct belief governs how Allah is understood, how acts of worship are directed, and how verses of the Qur'an and Hadith (prophetic narrations) are interpreted. As The Proof of Islam said "Worship is not valid until you know whom you are worshipping" Template:Cite book

While differences of methodology, and arrival of interpretations differ amongst Sunni scholars, they remain united upon essential principles of faith in the religion and only differ where difference is possible.