This is a brief tract concerning the fundamentals of the Creed of the ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah. It was prepared and published in response to many readers - students of knowledge and average Muslims - who have expressed the need for a concise and clear presentation of the fundamentals and rules of the Creed of the Salaf [1], while, at the same time, adhering - whenever possible - to the wording employed by the shari'ah as handed down from the scholars of the Salaf. For this reason, this discussion is free from the details, definitions, evidences, personalities, quotes and footnotes that are often necessary in a work of this nature. For the desire to achieve such an aim in a small paperback was not possible at this time. Perhaps this work - Allaah willing - may become the basis for a specialist to fill in the gaps, thereby responding to the needs of those desiring more.
I have presented this work to his eminence
Shaikh 'Abdul-Rahman ibn Nasir al-Barak, Dr. Hamzah ibn Husayn al-Fi'r,
and Dr. Safar ibn 'Abdul-Rahman al-Hawali. Each of them - may Allaah reward
them - have added their suggestions. I ask Allaah, Most High to make this
task pure for His Face and may He mention among His angels our Prophet
Muhammad - who was sent as a mercy to the worlds his family, Companions,
and all those who have followed them, preserve them from any harm, and
bless them.
1.Pious early forefathers of Islam and their followers.
