Aqidah
Encyclopedia : A : AQ : AQI : Aqidah
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Aqidah.Sometimes spelt as Aqeeda,Aqida or Aqeedah.(Arabic: عقيدة) is an Arabic Islamic term meaning creed. Any religious belief system, or creed, can be considered an example of aqidah.
Contents
Introduction
Sunnis have two sets of enumerated creeds, the Five Pillars of Islam and the Six articles of belief. On the other hand, Shi'a Twelvers have the Roots of Religion and the Branches of Religion. Other denominations have different enumerations of creeds, although this does not necessarily mean that one denomination rejects creeds not enumerated. For example, Shi'a enumerate Jihad, while Sunnis do not, but both agree that it's an indispensable creed.Sectarian differences between Shias and Sunnis are often expressed in differences in creed (aqidah) [link]. For example, Muslims may have different ideas regarding the concept of God or about the purpose of angels. Even the views of how to conduct prayer (salat) may differ.
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 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.. This money is distributed among the poor.
- 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.
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."
The six Sunni articles of belief are:
- 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).
Shi'a beliefs and practices
- 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
- 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)
Ismaili beliefs
The branch of Islam known as Isma'ili is the second largest Shi'a community. They observe the following seven pillars of Islam:
Druze beliefs
- 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)
Ismaili beliefs
The branch of Islam known as Isma'ili is the second largest Shi'a community. They observe the following seven pillars of Islam:
Druze beliefs
The Druze are a small Islamic sect residing mainly in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Turkey and Jordan. They observe the following eight pillars:
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 Tahawi, aka The Fundamentals of Islamic Creed.
- Aqidah al-Waasittiyah [link] by Ibn Taymiya. Accepted by Salfis only.
- Khalq Af'aal al-Ibad (The Creation of the acts of Servants) by Bukhari. It shows the opinion of early scholars (Salaf) but it does not cover all topics.
- Ulu by al-Dhahabi. Dhahabi tried to give the opinion of early scholars only rather than his opinion.
- Ibaanah by Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari. Accepted by early Ash'aris and most Salafis.
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
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