Aqeedah

 "Aqeedah" (also spelled "aqida" or "aqidah") is an Arabic word that is commonly translated as "creed" or "belief system". In Islamic theology, aqeedah refers to the set of fundamental beliefs that are considered essential to the Muslim faith. These beliefs include the oneness of God (tawheed), the belief in the prophets and messengers of God (nubuwwah), the belief in the holy books revealed by God (kutub), belief in the Day of Judgment (yawm al-qiyamah), and belief in the divine decree and destiny (qadar). These beliefs serve as the foundation of Islamic faith and practice, and are considered essential for Muslims to understand and adhere to.

Aqeedah encompasses the fundamental beliefs and principles of Islam that are essential for a Muslim's faith and practice. Aqeedah is derived from the Arabic word "aqada," which means "to affirm" or "to hold as true."

In Islam, aqeedah includes the belief in one God (Allah) and the acceptance of His oneness (Tawheed), the belief in the prophets and messengers of God (including Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad), the belief in the angels, the belief in the divine books (including the Quran and the previous scriptures), the belief in the Day of Judgment, and the belief in divine destiny (Qadr).

Aqeedah is considered an essential part of Islamic education, and Muslims are encouraged to learn about and understand their beliefs in order to strengthen their faith and practice. Islamic scholars have written extensively on the subject of aqeedah, and there are many books and resources available that explore the fundamental principles of Islam.

Here are some examples of the fundamental beliefs and principles of Aqeedah in Islam:

1. Belief in the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed): Muslims believe that there is only one God (Allah) who is the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign of the universe. This principle includes the belief in Allah's attributes, such as His Mercy, Justice, and Knowledge, and the rejection of any association of partners or intermediaries with Allah.

2. Belief in the Prophets and Messengers: Muslims believe in the prophets and messengers of Allah, including Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. They are considered to be chosen by Allah to convey His message to humanity and guide them towards righteousness and submission to Allah.

3. Belief in the Angels: Muslims believe in the existence of angels, who are created by Allah to carry out His commands and assist in the management of the universe. They are considered to be pure and obedient beings that worship Allah and carry out His will.

4. Belief in the Divine Books: Muslims believe in the divine books that were revealed to the prophets, including the Quran, the Torah, the Gospel, and the Psalms. The Quran is considered to be the final and complete revelation from Allah to humanity, and it contains guidance for all aspects of life.

5. Belief in the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment, where all souls will be resurrected and held accountable for their deeds in this life. The righteous will be rewarded with paradise, while the sinful will be punished in hellfire.

6. Belief in Divine Destiny (Qadr): Muslims believe in the concept of divine destiny, which refers to Allah's knowledge and control over all things. This includes the belief that Allah has decreed everything that will happen in the universe, including human actions and choices, while still giving humans free will to make their own choices and be accountable for their actions.

These are some of the key principles of Aqeedah in Islam, and they form the foundation of a Muslim's faith and practice.

According to Quran

The principles of Aqeedah in Islam are based on the teachings of the Quran, which is considered to be the final and complete revelation from Allah to humanity. The Quran contains numerous verses that affirm the key principles of Aqeedah, including the belief in the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed), the belief in the prophets and messengers of Allah, the belief in the angels, the belief in the divine books, the belief in the Day of Judgment, and the belief in divine destiny (Qadr).

For example, in Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112), which is known as the chapter of Tawheed, Allah says:

"Say, He is Allah, [who is] One,

Allah, the Eternal Refuge.

He neither begets nor is born,

Nor is there to Him any equivalent."

This verse affirms the Oneness of Allah and rejects the notion of any partners or intermediaries with Allah.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Allah says:

"Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to discriminate between Allah and His messengers and say, 'We believe in some and disbelieve in others,' and wish to adopt a way in between - Those are the disbelievers, truly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment."

This verse affirms the belief in the prophets and messengers of Allah and warns against rejecting any of them or adopting a middle way between belief and disbelief.

These are just a few examples of the Quranic verses that affirm the principles of Aqeedah in Islam. The Quran is considered the primary source of Islamic teachings, and Muslims turn to it for guidance and understanding of their faith.

According to Hadith

Here are some Hadiths (narrations of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) that support the principles of Aqeedah in Islam:

On the belief in the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed), the Prophet Muhammad said in a Hadith narrated by Muslim:

"Whoever testifies that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, and that Jesus is the servant of Allah and His messenger, and a word which He bestowed upon Mary and a spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true and Hellfire is true, Allah will admit him into Paradise, whatever his deeds may be." (Muslim 1/33)

On the belief in the prophets and messengers, the Prophet Muhammad said in a Hadith narrated by Bukhari:

"Every Prophet was given miracles because of which people believed, but what I have been given is Divine Inspiration which Allah has revealed to me. So I hope that my followers will outnumber the followers of the other Prophets on the Day of Resurrection." (Bukhari 4/734)

On the belief in the angels, the Prophet Muhammad said in a Hadith narrated by Bukhari:

"Angels do not enter a house where there is a dog or a picture." (Bukhari 4/448)

On the belief in the divine books, the Prophet Muhammad said in a Hadith narrated by Tirmidhi:

"I leave among you two things, the Quran and the Sunnah (the Prophet's tradition), if you hold fast to them, you will never go astray." (Tirmidhi 2676)

On the belief in the Day of Judgment, the Prophet Muhammad said in a Hadith narrated by Muslim:

"The Hour (Day of Judgment) will not come until the sun rises from the west. When the people see it they will all believe, but that is when no good will it do to believe then, if one believed not before." (Muslim 1/118)

On the belief in Divine Destiny (Qadr), the Prophet Muhammad said in a Hadith narrated by Muslim:

"Nothing can change the Divine Decree except Dua (supplication). And nothing can increase the age of a person except good deeds." (Muslim 4/2044)

These are just a few examples of the Hadiths that support the principles of Aqeedah in Islam. There are many more Hadiths that affirm these principles and provide guidance and understanding to Muslims about their faith.