A Summary of the Fundamentals of the Creed
of Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama'ah
By Dr.Nasir ibn 'Abdul-Karim al-'Aql
Translation by Ali ibn Mehdi ibn Mutlak al-Timimi
Introduction:
Aqeedah
Linguistically, the word aqeedah
means, "to know, bind, fasten tightly, fortify, consolidate and cement."
By convention, the word
aqeedah means, "a firm, unwavering belief
which is not open to any doubt with its beholder."
The Islaamic Creed (Aqeedah)
The Islaamic Creed therefore refers to a
firm, unwavering faith (imaan) in the following:
-
Allaah, Most High, and what is due to Him
from tawheed in one's belief and worship and obedience to Him.
-
His Angels,
-
His Scriptures,
-
His Messengers,
-
The Last Day,
-
Allaah's Decree (qadr),
-
What is confirmed from the remaining matters
of the Unseen and reports concerning the previous nations,
-
All absolute issues - whether pertaining
to matters of knowledge or action.
The Salaf
The Salaf are the initial era of
the Muslim nation (ummah): the Companions of the Prophet
,
their Followers, and the scholars of guidance among the initial three chosen
generations of this nation (ummah).
The appellation "Salafi", in
reference to them, is designated upon all those who follow them and traverse
their path from the remaining eras of this nation.
Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah
Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah are all
those who are upon that which the Prophet
and his Companions were upon. They are named "Ahl al-Sunnah" due
to their adherence and following of the Sunnah of the Prophet.
They are named the
"Jamaah" because they are those who have gathered
upon the Truth and have not divided into sects in the religion among themselves;
they have gathered around the lawful rulers and have not revolted against
them; and they have followed that which the Salaf of this nation
have unanimously agreed upon. As they alone in exclusion to all others
are the followers of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah,
following his path, they are also known as "ahl al-Hadeeth", "ahl al-Athar"
and "ahl al-Ittiba". *1
They are in this world "the Victorious
Group" and in the hereafter "the Saved Sect".
*1 "The people who follow
the hadeeth", "The people who follow the narrated reports" and "the people
who follow [the Prophet]"
