Aqeedah

Meaning

Aqeedah (Arabic: العقيدة) in Sunni Orthodoxy refers to the foundational beliefs of the religion as 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, aqeedah primarily concerns belief in Allah, His Attributes, His messengers, revelation, the unseen, and the matters of the Hereafter. In a technical sense, it also refers to the science of aqeedah, which was later systematized and codified by classical Sunni scholars.

Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamā‘ah

Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamā‘ah refers to the majority of the Muslim community who adhere to the Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and the understanding of his companions, his 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 of Aqeedah

Aqeedah 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 are interpreted.

As Imām al-Ghazālī رحمه الله states in Iḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn:

“Worship is not valid until you know whom you are worshipping.”

<ref>Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī, Iḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn, Kitāb al-‘Ilm.</ref>

Sunni Unity in Creed

While Sunni scholars may differ in their methodologies and modes of theological expression, they remain united upon the essential principles of faith, differing only where legitimate interpretive variation is possible.