Sat 15 Jun 2019
Introduction: Importance of Aqeedah
- What is this course about?
- Why is this important?
Understanding Aqeedah and Tawhid
- Allah, subhaanahu wata’aalaa, told us that he has sent every messenger with a specific message, what was it?
- Allah says: “And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc.i. e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah).” Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied (the truth).” [Surah An-Nahl (The Bee) verse 36]
- What does “laa ilaaha illallaah” mean?
- This statement has two components, what are they?
- Affirmation
- Negation
- Allah says:”Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful;”[Surah An-Nisa (The Women) verse 36]
- Example of the importance of affirmation and negation
- Affirmation and negation makes something special and unique
The Pre-Islamic Polytheists
- The polytheists (mushrikeen) at the time of the Prophet (ﷺ) believed in Allah
- So why were they not Muslims? Why did they oppose the Messenger of Allah?
Aspects of Tawheed
- There are different aspects of Tawheed
- Tawheed Ar-Rubuubiyya: This is to single out Allah in his actions (what he has done), what does this mean?
- Tawheed ul-Uluuhiyya: This is singling out Allah with our acts of worship, what defines “worship”?
- IMPORTANT: is dua (supplication) an act of worship? What about some muslims who ask others besides Allah or claim to make their dua through the pious predecessors, e.g. asking the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) or saying “Oh Abdulqadir Jaylani”, “Oh Ali”, or asking a shaykh, Imam,Pir etc
- Tawheed Al-Asmaa was-Sifaat: This is singling out Allah in his names and attributes. The names and attributes of allah are the most beautiful and perfect and they have no deficiency in any way. We affirm them and do not change them or give them to others besides him.
- Question: How many names does Allah have? Is it limited to 99? What are the evidences?
- IMPORTANT: how have some of the people of deviation distorted, rejected or changed the names of Allah?
- NOTE: Every name of Allah has an attribute associated with it, however there are some attributes which do not have a name connected to them, what are some examples, what are the evidences?
- 4 IMPORTANT RULES to follow with the names and attributes of Allah:
- 1. Do not Reject them
- 2. Do not Distort them (i.e. change Allah’s names and attribute)
- 3. Do not attempt to Describe the names and attributes of Allah
- 4. Do not liken the names and attributes of Allah to anything else