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. Aqeedah is an obligation upon every morally responsible person (Mukallaf).
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>
The scholars mention that true honor in seeking knowledge lies in understanding the **object of knowledge itself**, for until one knows what he is learning about, he cannot grasp its value.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Know that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah, and seek forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and women.”
(Qur’an 47:19)
The scholars mention that this verse indicates the superiority of the knowledge of belief over the knowledge of action, since Allah begins with the command to know before commanding action.
Knowledge and Rank
Allah تعالى says:
“Say, O Prophet, are those who know equal to those who do not know?”
(Qur’an 39:9)
This indicates that those who possess knowledge have a higher station with Allah than those who do not.
Allah also says:
“Allah will elevate those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge in rank.”
(Qur’an 58:11)
This shows that sound belief and beneficial knowledge are means of elevation, both in this world and the Hereafter, where every degree of knowledge becomes a rank in Paradise for the one who dies upon īmān.
Virtue of Seeking Knowledge
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whomever Allah wills good for, He grants him understanding of the religion.”
<ref> Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, ḥadīth no. 71; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, ḥadīth no. 1037. </ref>
This is an honor and a sign of divine favor. Whoever finds himself on the path of seeking knowledge should recognize that Allah has chosen him for goodness and distinction.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”
<ref>Sunan Ibn Mājah, ḥadīth no. 224</ref>
The scholars clarify that the Prophet ﷺ was referring to religious knowledge. There is a portion of knowledge that is individually obligatory upon every Muslim to learn. If this referred to all types of knowledge, it would be impossible, which is not from the Sharī‘ah.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said:
“Whoever travels a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.”
<ref>Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Dhikr wa’l-Du‘ā’, ḥadīth no. 2699.</ref>
This indicates that the one who leaves his home seeking knowledge is granted the reward similar to one striving in the path of Allah. The reward of a Mujāhid is great — one hundred ranks in Paradise — and the distance between each rank is like the distance between the heavens and the earth.
<ref>Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Jihād wa’l-Siyar, ḥadīth no. 2790.</ref>
The Importance of Conveying Knowledge
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Convey from me, even if it is one verse.”
<ref>Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Anbiyā’, ḥadīth no. 3461.</ref>
Our teachers mention that whoever Allah grants knowledge of faith and then believes others possess something better than that knowledge has belittled what Allah has made great. Allah gives wealth to those He loves and those He does not love, but He only grants knowledge and faith to those He loves.
Imām ʿAbdullāh al-Ḥaddād رحمه الله said:
“Whoever knows even one religious ruling is a scholar with respect to that ruling.”
<ref>ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAlawī al-Ḥaddād, Al-Naṣā’iḥ al-Dīniyyah.</ref>
Obligatory Knowledge (Farḍ al-ʿIlm)
There is a portion of knowledge that is obligatory upon every Muslim, and no one is excused from learning it. This knowledge relates to:
- Belief (ʿAqeedah)
- Practice (ʿIbādah)
- Spiritual refinement (Tazkiyah / Akhlāq)
The scholars divide obligatory knowledge into two categories:
- Farḍ ʿAyn – Knowledge that is an individual obligation upon every Muslim.
- Farḍ Kifāyah – Knowledge that is a communal obligation. If some fulfill it, the obligation is lifted from the rest.
Thus, learning the foundations of belief, the rulings of worship, and the essentials of spirituality is a duty upon every believer, and no one is excused from this responsibility.
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.
Pursuing Knowledge
Following the correct etiquette in pursuing knowledge is the first step before traversing the path.
Sincere Intentions
In all affairs, a student on the path (or "salik" [traveler]) should intend to:
1. Draw close to Allah in status
2. Seek the reward for it
3. Seek the pleasure (Arabic: رضوان) of Allah.
4. Seek Allah
Core Beliefs
The essential beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamā‘ah are derived from the six pillars of īmān.
Articles of Faith
Belief in Allah
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Belief in Angels
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Belief in Scriptures
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Belief in Prophets
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Resurrection and Judgment
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Divine Predestination
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