Aqidah
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Aqidah (Arabic: عقيدة) is an Arabic Islamic term meaning creed. Any religious belief system, or creed, can be considered an example of aqidah. In Islam, Aqidah refers to the Islamic creed, or the six articles of faith, which consist of the belief in God, Angels, Messengers and Prophets, Scriptures, the Day of Judgement, and Destiny.
In the Hadith Sahih Al-Muslim and Sahih Al-Bukhari, Muhammad (final prophet of Islam) explains, "It (Al-Iman/faith) is to affirm your faith in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day, and to believe in the Divine Destiny whether it be good or bad."
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Six articles of belief
The six articles of belief shared by all Muslims:
- Belief in God (Allah), the one and only one worthy of all worship (tawhid).
- Belief in all the Prophets (nabi) and Messengers (rusul) sent by God.
- Belief in the Books (kutub) sent by God (including the Qur'an).
- Belief in the Angels (mala'ika).
- Belief in the Day of Judgement (qiyama) and in the Resurrection (life after death).
- Belief in Destiny (Fate) (qadar).
Sectarian differences
Sectarian differences between Shias and Sunnis are often expressed in differences in aqidah [1]. Differences in aqidah among Muslims consists of differences in belief regarding the various aspects of the six articles of faith. For example, Muslims may have different ideas regarding the concept of God or about the purpose of angels. The fundamentals of Shia Islamic Creed is better known as Usūl al-Dīn. See also Divisions of Islam.
Sunni beliefs and practices
The Five Pillars of Islam is the term given to the five most fundamental aspects of Sunni Islam. All Islamic beliefs, such as the Five Pillars of Islam, are a part of Aqidah. For example, Muslims believe that God sent messengers with scripture in order to give guidance and warning of the Day of Judgment. Shahada is an expression of belief in God.
The Five Pillars of Islam
- The profession of faith in Allah (Shahadah) - the declaration that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is his messenger.
- Prayer (Salat) - establishing of the five daily Prayers.
- The paying of alms (Zakât) - which is generally 2.5% of the total savings for a rich man working in trade or industry, and 10% or 20% of the annual produce for agriculturists. This money or produce is distributed among the poor. Also, one may give 25% of found treasure such as money won in a non-gambling lottery.
- Fasting (Sawm) - refraining from eating, drinking or satisfying sexual needs from dawn to dusk in the month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
- The Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) - this is done during the month of Zul Hijjah, and is compulsory once in a lifetime for one who has the ability to do it.
Shi'a beliefs and practices
Roots of Religion (Usūl al-Dīn)
- Tawhīd (Oneness): The Oneness of God
- Adalah (Justice): The Justice of God
- Nubuwwah (Prophethood): God has appointed perfect and infallible prophets and messengers to teach mankind the religion (i.e. a perfect system on how to live in "peace".)
- Imamah (Leadership): God has appointed specific leaders to lead and guide mankind — a prophet appoints a custodian of the religion before his demise.
- Qiyamah (The Day of Judgment): God will raise mankind for Judgment
Branches of Religion (Furū al-Dīn)
- Shahadah (Declaration) – the declaration that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is his messenger.
- Salat- called "Namaaz" in Persian (Prayer) - performing the five daily prayers
- Sawm (Fast) - fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan
- Hajj (Pilgrimage) - performing the pilgrimage to Mecca
- Zakaat (Poor-rate) - paying money to the poor
- Khums (One-fifth) - paying the tax of 20%, levied on untaxed, annual profit
- Jihad (Struggle) - struggling to please God. The greater, or internal Jihad is the struggle against the evil within one's own soul in every aspect of life. The lesser, or external, Jihad is the struggle against the evil of one's environment in every aspect of life.
- Amr-Bil-Ma'rūf (Enjoin what is good)
- Nahi-Anil-Munkar (Forbid what is evil)
- Tawalla (To love the Ahl al-Bayt and their followers)
- Tabarra (To disassociate oneself from the enemies of the Ahl al-Bayt)
Literature
Many Muslim scholars have attempted to explain Islamic creed in general, or specific aspects of aqidah. The following list contains some of the most well-known literature.
Sunni Literature
Aqidah al-Tahawiyya by Imam al-Tahawi
One such example is the book Aqidah al-Tahawiyya[2], aka The Fundamentals of Islamic Creed, by Imam Abu Ja'far al-Tahawi al-Hanafi. Al-Tahawi was a follower of Imam Abu Hanifa, founder of the Hanafi madhhab, one of the four central sharia schools in Sunni thought.
Others
- "The Islamic Creed (Al-'Aqaa'id)" by Hasan al-Banna
- "Glimpse of Faith" by Ghalib Ahmad Masri
- "The Signs before the Day of Judgment" by Ibn Kathir
- "Towards Understanding the Qur'an" by Syed Abul 'Ala Maududi
- "The Authentic Creed" by Shaikh Ibn Baz
- "The Foundations of Islamic Belief" by Hamid Al-Ghazali
Shia Literature
"Shi'a Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai" Translated by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
"Root and branches of faith" by Maqbul Hussein Rahim
"Shi'ism Doctrines, Thought, and Spirituality" by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
External links
Categories: Islam | Islamic law | Aqidah