WHAT IS AQEEDAH and Basic Aqeedah of Islam

A MUST BOOK FOR ALL MUSLIMS
All About Aqeedah In Islam   Aqeedatut Tahawi Arabic and English Translation with a brief note on how to save yourself from any confusion on the name of Aqeedah
 (AQEEDAH OF AHLE SUNNAT WAL JAMAAT WITH SAHABA SCHOLARS OF SUNNAH & SALAFUS SALEHIN POSITION IN AQEEDAH) With chapter on What General Muslim Must Know Should Know and Need Not to Know about Aqeedah
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AQEEDAH MEANING

What is Aqeedah. Its Definition and Importance. 

The Linguistic Meaning of Aqeedah: Literally, the word `aqidah is derived from the triconsonantal root"`A-Q-D", which means to tie or knot. al-Aqad, which is to 'tie something (firmly). 

The Meaning and importance of Aqeedah in Islam:  Correct Aqeeda is the most important thing in islam. It is what a person takes as a religion . It is said, 'he has a good Aqeedah' meaning, having right beliefs. Aqeedah is an action of the heart, which is to believe and affirm something in the heart. It is also called as Iman or articles of Iman or Article of faith.

ISLAMIC AQEEDAH
As Aqeedah is most important part of Islam and of a muslim life, it has been dealt very clearly in quranic Ayats and ahadith.

Six Articles of Faith


There are six basic Aqeeda or article of faith (Iman) and these are to believe in
1.    Allah,
2.    His angels,
3.    His Books,
4.    His Messengers,
5.     In coming to life after death (resurrection) the Day of Judgment,
6.    And in that the fate good and bad is predetermined by Allah
(Some books have separated life after death and Day of Judgment as separate number and it makes total number to seven)

These six articles of belief has been described in clear words in Quranic Ayats and has been sum up in the Hadith of Jibraeel that is in Bukhari and Muslim shareef both.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 48:  
Narrated Abu Huraira:
One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Apostle replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further asked, "What is Islam?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan." Then he further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you." Then he further asked, "When will the Hour be established?" Allah's Apostle replied, "The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents.
1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.
2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.
The Prophet then recited: "Verily, with Allah (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour--." (31. 34) Then that man (Gabriel) left and the Prophet asked his companions to call him back, but they could not see him. Then the Prophet said, "That was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion." Abu 'Abdullah said: He (the Prophet) considered all that as a part of faith.



Below is the ARABIC WORDS AND English translation of the kalimah tauheed and Iman mufassal and mujma from the famous book Taleemul Islam by Mufti Kifayatullah (R.A).It is in question and answer form and is being written as it is.

Q. What is KALIMAH (the basic Creed) of Islam?
Ans. The KALIMAH of Islam is:       
LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAHU MUHAMMADUR-RASULUL-LAH.
(None but Allah is worthy of worship. Muhammad is His Messenger).
 This is also  called KALIMAH TAY-YIBAH (the good word) or KALIMAH TAUHID (the creed of the Oneness of Allah). 
Q. What is KALIMAH SHAHADAH (the word of Testimony.)
Ans. KALIMAH SHAHADAH IS:
ASH-HADU A(N)L-LAILAHA IL-LAL-LAHU WA ASH-HADU AN-NA MUHAMM-MADAN'ABDUHU WA RASULUH.
(I bear testimony that none is worthy of worship but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allah.)
Q. What is IMAN MUJMAL (Iman in brief)?
Ans. IMAN MUJMAL is:
AMANTUBIL-LAHI KAMA HUWA BIASMA'IHI WA SIFATIHI WA QABILTU JAMI'A AHKAMIHI.            (I affirm my faith in Allah as He is with all His Names and Attributes and I accept all of His Commands.)

 
Q. What is IMAN MUFASSAL (Iman in detail)?
Ans. IMAN MUFASSAL is:
AMANTU BIL-LAHI WA MALA'IKATIHI WA KUTUBIHI WA RUSULIHI WALYAUKIL-AKHIR' WAL-QADRI KHAIRIHI WA SHAR-RIHI MINAL-LAHI TA'ALA WAL-BA'THI, BA'DAL-MAUT.  
(I affirm my faith in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the day of judgment, in that the fate good and bad is predetermined by Allah and in coming to life after death (resurrection).
In summary the Muslims believe in Allah, in His Angels, Holy Scriptures (Quran, true bible and Torah etc.), the Prophets, believe in the life after death, including interrogation in the grave, punishment in the grave, Distraction of this Universe one day (doom day) resurrection, the Day of Judgement, rendering account of ones deeds, and passing over the Siraat Bridge, believe in the existence of Paradise, and the believers will live in it for ever, believe in the existence of Hell, with its severest punishments, and that it will last for ever. 
JAZAKALLAH

All the points of Aqeeda has been further detailed by other Verses of the Holy Quran and Ahadith. 
JAZAKALLAH