Islamic Creed is one of the most important branches of Islamic science, which is interested in studying religious beliefs and basic concepts embraced by Muslims, and is based on belief in the oneness of Allah and the message of his Prophet Muhammad,
and aims to clarify Islamic concepts, interpret religious beliefs, analyze religious texts and identify their sources, and study various opinions and schools of thought in this science, and Islamic Creed is one of the sciences that Muslim scientists and thinkers seek to develop and modernize, and employ to explain the modern challenges facing Islamic society in the current era.
What is the definition of the Islamic Creed in language and idiomatically?
Islamic Creed in the language, it means the contract, that is, the tightening, binding and tight bond, and the tight bond is the strength in the matter, the severity in its enforcement, and its durability and tightness,
but in the terminology, it means ratification and full and firm belief in what Allah Almighty commanded in the arbitrator of its download, so the belief in oneness is complete and absolute in the heart, such as the knot or the solid document that is not interrupted and inseparable, and The Aqida of belief, in the sense of faith in Allah alone, and assertion of what came without negligence.
The importance of The Aqida in Islam
The Aqida in Islam is the basis of faith and the essence of religiosity, and it means faith in Allah, His messengers, angels, heavenly books, and the destiny that God has destined for creation, and it can be said that the science of Islamic faith is an important basis in building the personality of a Muslim, directing his life towards the supreme goal, and promoting high human values such as tolerance, peaceful coexistence and trust in Allah.
It is one of the most important concepts that define the identity of a Muslim and guide his life. The correct Aqida plays an important role in the life of a Muslim, as it forms the basis for understanding and practicing Islam, and the most important reasons for the importance of The Aqida in Islam:
1- The Oneness of Allah
The Aqida emphasizes the true monotheism of Allah and teaches Muslims that Allah is the only Creator worthy of worship and reverence.
2- Life Guidance
The Aqida guides the life of a Muslim, as it teaches Muslims that living in this world is not the ultimate goal, but the ultimate goal is to reach paradise and gain closeness to Allah.
3- Moderation and balance
Islamic Creed urges Muslims to be moderate and balanced in their lives and warns them against indulging in the world and excessive fanaticism of any idea or sect.
4- Tolerance and peaceful coexistence
Islamic Creed teaches Muslims the necessity of tolerance and peaceful coexistence with others, regardless of different faiths and cultures.
5- Urging action
Islamic Creed calls on Muslims to work, worship Allah, forbid evil, and enjoin virtue as man is Allah’s Caliph on earth.
6- Healing
Islamic Creed promises spiritual healing for Muslims, helps them overcome sorrows and difficult experiences in life, and gives them psychological comfort and tranquility.
What are the characteristics of the Islamic Creed?
Islamic Creed has characteristics that make it unique from any other faith, including the following:
1- Inclusiveness
One of the characteristics of the Islamic Creed is that it is an integrated and comprehensive doctrine and is not limited to a specific people or people, but came to all people in the east and west of the earth, as it is suitable for every time and place, and is not limited to a specific era, Islam is not an incomplete or positive religion that meets one’s needs in a specific place, and a specific time, but came complete and comprehensive.
2- Arrest
Islamic Creed is an endowment doctrine, that is, it is from the Almighty and we reached it through legal evidence, the Sunnah of the Prophet, and pure sources, as it is derived from the Qur’an and Sunnah, and the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) stopped his nation on the principles of belief and commitment to what was stated in it.
3- Metaphysics
The occult means that Islamic Creed is based on the search for issues that are difficult for the human mind to realize or familiarize with, as they are metaphysical issues in which the Muslim believes and recognizes and adheres to what is stated in them without controversy or delving into their features, except for what is in it a statement that requires the argument.
4- Moderation
Islamic Creed is moderation that is neither negligent nor excessive, as it came to achieve balance, justice, and the preservation of charity, as it is not like the previous laws that falsely accused Allah of what he did not tell about himself, but came to clarify the facts and remove confusion.
5- Balance
From moderation, comes balance, as this, The Aqida is unique from the rest of the laws and beliefs in its moderation and moderation, where we find balance in everything, work, money, pleasures, knowledge, forces, and worship, as it is a balanced and accurate doctrine in its rulings and aspects.
What are the sources of the Islamic Creed?
Islamic Creed relies on two sources, namely:
- The Holy Quran: It is the book of Allah, from which The Aqida derived its foundations and origins.
- The Sunnah of the Prophet: It is the revelation that was revealed to the master of creation, and who showed it to his nation.
Arkan Islamic Creed
Islamic Creed requires its owner to believe and assert what is stated in the Islamic religion, by believing in the following:
- That Allah is his Lord.
- That Muhammad is his prophet.
- Belief in prophets and apostles.
- Heavenly books.
- Angels.
- Destiny is good and evil.
The Impact of Islamic Creed on the Individual and society
The correct Islamic Creed has an impact – indisputable – on the individual and the society around him in achieving success, promoting behaviors, modifying reprehensible qualities, and purifying the heart for what is good, which reflects – positively – on the environment or society in which he lives, and this is a statement of these effects:
1- The impact of the Islamic Creed on the individual
- Appealing to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet.
- Distance from dependence or laziness.
- Love of goodness and altruism.
- Good qualities.
- Self-esteem and spaciousness.
- Planning and course correction.
- Activity, effectiveness, and production.
2- The impact of the Islamic Creed on society
- Preserving and celebrating history.
- Tradition and strong ties between its members.
- Bringing the nations out of delusion to the light.
- Helping others, and standing by everyone.
- Commitment to what is stated in the correct Aqida in cases of war and peace.
- Doctrinal interdependence in solidarity, justice, and the coalition of hearts.
- Pride in lineage, pride in origin.
The most important topics of the Creed of Islam
Creed in Islam topics revolve around three main issues, and this is a statement of them:
- Allah: That is, everything related to Allah in attributes, honor, monotheism, and the right to worship.
- The Apostles: that is, everything related to them in following, permissibility, impossibility and obligation.
- metaphysical and auditory heritage: that is, what must be believed from what we hear about or from what we do not see.
The most important names of the Islamic Creed
Among the names of Creed in Islam used by scholars, even if they do not appear in the Qur’an or Sunnah, is the name (Sharia) according to Imam Al-Ajri or the name (Al-Fiqh Al-Akbar) as stated by Imam Abu Hanifa, and among the most prominent names of faith in Islam:
1- Faith
Allah Almighty said: (We also revealed to you a spirit of our command that you did not know what the Book nor faith was, but we made it a light by which we guide whoever we want from among our servants, and you are to guide to a straight path) [Ash-Shura: 52]
2- Sunnah
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “You must adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Mahdist Caliphs, and you and the hadiths of things, for every hadith, is heresy, and every innovation is misguidance” [Sahih, Muhaddith: Al-Albani, Source: Taraweeh Prayer]
He also said: “You are the ones who said such and such, but by Allah, I fear you for Allah and fear Him, but I fast and break the fast, pray and rest, and marry women, so whoever desires my Sunnah is not from me” [Saheeh, narrated: Anas bin Malik, Muhaddith: Al-Bukhari in his Sahih]
3- Monotheism
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Invite them to testify that there is no Allah but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, and if they obey that, let them know that Allah has prescribed five prayers for them every day and night, and if they obey that, then let them know that Allah has given them charity in their wealth that is taken from their rich and returned to their poor” [Saheeh, narrated by: Abdullah bin Abbas, Muhaddith: Bukhari in his Sahih]
Founded Creed in Islam
Creed in Islam is based on several foundations, the most important of which are:
- Monotheism: Believing in the oneness of Allah, and that Allah is the creator who deserves worship and is unique to him.
- Prophecy: The belief that Allah chose prophets and messengers and that our Prophet Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets.
- Book: Belief in the previous heavenly books, and that the Holy Qur’an is the word of Allah that was revealed to our Prophet.
- Angels: Belief in angels, that they are creatures of Allah’s creation, and that they work at Allah’s command in the service of believers.
- The Last Day: Belief in the Last Day, and that man will be held accountable for his deeds in this world.
- Destiny: Belief in predestination, that God has predestined everything, that He knows everything before it is.
Academy for Teaching Islamic Creed
Wahion Youha Academy is considered one of the academies specialized in teaching the Islamic Creed to the Muslim individual to work according to its provisions and abide by its orders and prohibitions away from language. The Academy also seeks to serve Islam with programs and training courses for memorizing the Holy Quran, teaching Arabic to native speakers and non-native speakers, as well as the provisions of intonation, recitation, and correct pronunciation of letter exits.
What is the difference between Aqida and Sharia?
1- Aqida: They are the religious beliefs that the Muslims believe in, and are related to trust in the oneness of God, prophecy, the book, the angels, the Last Day, and destiny. The doctrine revolves around faith in God and what He has revealed and directs the believer toward God and determines his relationship with God.
2- Sharia: It is a set of legal provisions and directives that regulate the life of Muslims in all its aspects, including worship, transactions, morals, and behaviors, determine what is halal and haram, distinguishes between right and wrong, directs the Muslim in his behavior and actions, and represents the way Muslims follow in their daily lives.
In general, it can be said that Aqida is related to faith and religious beliefs, while Sharia is about daily actions and behaviors, and it is important to understand the relationship between them, as Aqida is the basis on which Sharia is based, and Sharia represents the way in which Aqida is applied in the lives of Muslims.
Is Islam a creed or a Sharia?
Islam is a religion that combines creed and Sharia, where creed in Islam is based on Muslims’ belief in the oneness of God and the message of his Prophet Muhammad, and Sharia in Islam is determined by the legal rulings and directives that regulate the life of Muslims in all its aspects.
Belief in The Aqida is an indispensable foundation in Islam, where Muslims must believe in the oneness of God and the message of His Prophet Muhammad, and that faith determines their relationship with God. Sharia in Islam is a practical guide to achieving this relationship, as it includes the provisions and directives that regulate the lives of Muslims in worship, transactions, morals, and behaviors.
Thus, Islam cannot be classified only as a creed or sharia, but rather a religion that combines The Aqida and Sharia, and the relationship between them is integrated in achieving one goal, which is to establish a correct relationship between the believer and his Lord and to build a society that enjoys justice, equality, compassion, compassion and cooperation.