This booklet is part
of the Arabic book
'Sharh Hadeeth Jibra'eel' by Shaikh Muhammad ibn Saleh al-Uthaimeen
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Foreword
(adapted from the book, 'Aqeedah
at-Tawheed' by Shaikh Saleh ibn Fawzan ibn Abdullah al-Fawzan)
‘Al-Aqeedah (faith)'
is what a person
takes as a religion. It is said, 'He has a good Aqeedah' meaning,' He is
protected from doubts.’
Aqeedah is an action of the
heart – which is
to believe and affirm something in the heart.
"The Sharee'ah is divided into two parts; Beliefs and Actions.
(a) Beliefs are issues that are not related to how an act is performed
such as belief in the Lordship of Allah, the obligation to worship Allah
(alone) and belief in the other afore-mentioned pillars of Eeman (faith).
These are called Asliyah
- the basic
foundation.
(b) The latter part consists of issues related to how actions are
performed like Salaat (prayer), Zakaat (charity), Sawm (fasting) and other
rulings with regards to actions. These are termed as
Far'eyyah
- the branches, because
their soundness or corruption is based upon the beliefs.
The correct Aqeedah is thus the
foundation
upon which the religion is based. It is the correct Aqeedah with which the
actions are set aright as the Most High said, "So, whoever hopes for
the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none
as a partner in the worship of his Lord." [Soorah al-Kahf (18): 110]
"Indeed, it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) as it was to those (Prophets) before you, 'If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers." [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 65]
"So, worship Allah
(alone) by performing religious deeds sincerely for His sake. Surely, the
religion is for Allah only." [Soorah Zumar (39): 2]
These verses and numerous other narrations that have been related in this
regard confirm that actions are not accepted unless they are free from Shirk
(polytheism/associating partners with Allah).
It was therefore the main concern of the Messengers (alaihimus-salaam) to
rectify the beliefs first.
Sole worship of Allah and
abandonment of worship to anything other than Him was their primary call as
the Most High says, "Verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community,
nation) a Messenger (proclaiming), 'Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid the
Taghoot (everything that is worshiped other than Allah)." [Soorah An-Nahl
(16): 36]
The first issue addressed by every Prophet was, "Worship Allah! You have
no other Ilah (deity worthy of being worshiped) but Him." [Soorah al-A'raf
(7): 59, 65, 73, 85]
It was said by Nuh, Hood, Saleh, Suhaib (alaihimus-salaam) and all the other
Prophets (alaihimus-salaam) to their nations. After being bestowed with
Prophethood, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahi alaihi wa-sallam) stayed in
Mecca for thirteen years calling people to Tawheed and rectifying their
Aqeedah because Aqeedah is the foundation upon which the entire structure of
the Deen stands.
The Duaat (callers to the religion of Allah) and those who seek to guide
others during every age followed the example of the Messengers and the
Prophets who initiated their call with Tawheed (Oneness of Allah’s worship)
and correction of Aqeedah, and subsequently focusing upon the remaining
commandments of the Deen (religion)."
..........................................................................................
This book comprehensively explains Tawheed in the words of
Shaikh ibn Saleh al-Uthaimeen
(rahimahullah) from the
book, 'Sharh Hadeeth Jibra'eel'.
Appendix adapted from the book,
'Aqeedah at-Tawheed'
by
Shaikh Saleh ibn Fawzan ibn Abdullah al-Fawzan
(hafidhhullah)
