Aqeedah What It Means and Which Belief Is Correct

Question

What is Aqeedah, which is the correct one, and why is it the foundation of a Muslim’s life?

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Crash Course: Aqeedah in Islam

(Based on Thalaathatul-Usool and its Commentaries)

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Bottom Line

Aqeedah is the Muslim’s belief system. It starts with knowledge, finds its strength in Tawheed, and is safeguarded by rejecting Shirk. The only correct Aqeedah is that of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah . Aqeedah means the core truths a believer holds with certainty, convictions anchored in the heart and soul, free from doubt, confusion, or hesitation.

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Quick Answer

Aqeedah is the creed of Islam, grounded in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Its pillars are clear: belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree. At its core is Tawheed, the oneness of Allah, while its greatest threat is Shirk, giving His rights to others. Without sound Aqeedah, even worship and good deeds lose their foundation.

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What is sound `Aqidah?

The Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) clearly indicate that sound belief may be summed up as: believing in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, the Last Day, and the divine decree, both good and bad. These six matters form the basis of sound belief with which the Book of Allah was sent down and with which Allah sent His Messenger Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).

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Key Points

• Knowledge comes before speech and action. “Know that there is no god but Allah.” (Qur’an 47:19)
• The Three Fundamental Principles every believer must answer: Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your Prophet?
• Tawheed has three parts: Ruboobiyyah (Allah alone creates, sustains, and controls), Uloohiyyah (Allah alone deserves worship), and Asma wa Sifaat (Allah’s perfect names and attributes, affirmed without denial or distortion).
• Shirk appears in different forms: major, minor, and hidden.
• The proofs for Aqeedah are rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
• Scholars warned against false ideas, grave worship, and superstitions that corrupt belief.
• Aqeedah is not abstract philosophy; it is clarity, conviction, and submission to Allah.

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Core Questions & Answers

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Tawheed vs Shirk

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Categories of Shirk

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Knowledge Before Speech & Action

Islam begins with knowledge before action. Allah says:

“So know that there is no deity except Allah, and ask forgiveness for your sin.” (Qur’an 47:19)

Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“Knowledge without action is arrogance; action without knowledge is misguidance.”

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From the Qur’an

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1. Tawheed (Oneness of Allah)

• Definition: To single out Allah in His Lordship, Worship, and Names & Attributes. It is the foundation of Islam.

• Evidence: “Say: He is Allah, One. Allah, the Self-Sufficient. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there anything equal to Him.” (Surah al-Ikhlas 112:1–4)
  This surah summarizes Tawheed: Allah is unique, independent, and without a partner.

2. Shirk Forbidden

• Definition: To give Allah’s exclusive rights to others. The opposite of Tawheed and the gravest sin.

• Evidence: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” (Surah an-Nisa 4:48)
  This verse shows that shirk is unforgivable if someone dies without repentance.

3. Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ

• Definition: Belief that Muhammad ﷺ is Allah’s Messenger and the final Prophet. Following him is a condition of sound Aqeedah.

• Evidence: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.” (Surah al-Ahzab 33:40)
  This confirms both his Prophethood and the finality of revelation.

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From the Sunnah

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• Hadith of Mu‘adh (Bukhari & Muslim):
  “The right of Allah over His servants is that they worship Him alone and do not associate anything with Him. The right of the servants over Allah is that He will not punish those who avoid shirk.”
  This hadith captures the essence of Tawheed.

• Hadith in Muslim (26):
  “Whoever dies knowing there is no god but Allah will enter Paradise.”
  This shows salvation is tied to correct Aqeedah.

Note: While there is general agreement across Islamic sects regarding the conceptual definition of Sunnah, as the traditions, practices, and approvals of the Prophet Muḥammad  (ﷺ), the point of divergence is in the identification and authentication of what constitutes the Sunnah. Specifically, the Jafari (Shi‘a) and Ahl al-Sunnah (Sunni) schools differ significantly regarding the scope and sources of the Sunnah.

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Refutations of Innovators & Grave Worshippers

• No Intermediaries: Islam rejects the idea of anyone standing between a believer and Allah (Qur’an 10:18). Asking saints, angels, or the dead is shirk.

• Grave Worship: Acts like sacrificing at graves, making vows to the dead, or praying to them are major shirk. The Prophet ﷺ cursed those who turn graves into places of worship (Bukhari 1330, Muslim 529).

• Innovations: Denying Qadar, distorting Allah’s attributes, or adding beliefs not rooted in Qur’an and Sunnah are deviations. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever introduces into this matter what is not from it, it is rejected.” (Bukhari 2697, Muslim 1718).

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Types of Aqeedah Approaches

The only correct Aqeedah is that of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah all other approaches deviate in some way, especially regarding Allah’s attributes, Qadar, and definitions of Iman.

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✅ Do’s & ❌ Don’ts

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What That Means for You

Aqeedah is not an abstract theory. It directly shapes how you worship, how you live, and how you prepare for the Hereafter. Sound Aqeedah gives clear purpose, sincerity, and security from shirk. Weak or corrupted Aqeedah leaves deeds wasted, hearts confused, and salvation at risk.

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And Allah knows best

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References

Primary Sources:

• Surah al-Baqarah (2:163)
• Surah al-Baqarah (2:255)
• Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:19)
• Surah an-Nisa (4:48)
• Surah Yunus (10:18)
• Surah al-Ahzab (33:40)
• Surah Muhammad (47:19)
• Surah al-Ikhlas (112:1-4)
• Bukhari, Hadith 2856; Muslim, Hadith 30 
• Muslim, Hadith 26 
• Bukhari, Hadith 1330
• Bukhari, Hadith 2697 
• Abu Dawud, Hadith 3207 

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Secondary Sources:

• Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab — The Three Fundamental Principles and Their Evidences (Al-Usul al-Thalathah).
• Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen — Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles (Sharh Thalathatul-Usool).
• Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan — Beneficial Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles.
• Ibn Taymiyyah — Al-‘Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah.
• Ibn al-Qayyim — I‘lam al-Muwaqqi‘in and Madarij al-Salikin.
• Imam al-Tahawi — Al-‘Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah (with Ahl al-Sunnah commentaries).