al-Iman wa al-Radd ala Ahl al-Bida (Matbu ضمن Majmuat al-Rasail wa al-Masail al-Najdiyya li-Bad al-Ulama Najd al-Alam, al-Juz al-Thani)

al-Iman wa al-Radd ala Ahl al-Bida (Faith and the Refutation of Innovators) is a theological treatise compiled from the doctrinal determinations and writings of the Najdi scholar Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan Al al-Shaykh (1193–1285 AH / 1779–1868 CE) Majmuat al-Rasail wal-Mas…+1. It addresses core tenets of Islamic belief, defining faith and submission, the requirements of the declaration of monotheism, and the communal obligations of adhering to the Muslim body and its leadership Majmuat al-Rasail wal-Mas…+1.

Overview and Publication

The work is arranged as a collection of instructive benefits (fawa'id) and determinations (taqrirat) along with related appendices (mulhaqat) by Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan Majmuat al-Rasail wal-Mas…. It was published as the opening section of the second volume of Majmuat al-Rasail wa al-Masail al-Najdiyya (Compendium of Najdi Treatises and Rulings), printed at al-Manar Press in Cairo under the patronage of King Abd al-Aziz Al Saud Majmuat al-Rasail wal-Mas….

Structure and Core Themes

The text is organized into numbered points of instruction (al-fawa'id):

• The Nature of Islam and Iman: The first benefit explores the definitions of Islam and iman (faith), analyzing the hadith of Gabriel (hadith Jibril). It explicates that when mentioned together, Islam refers to outward actions and iman signifies inward beliefs, whereas when iman is mentioned alone, it encompasses both inward and outward deeds al-Iman wa al-Radd ala Ah…. The text draws a distinction between unrestricted faith (al-iman al-mutlaq), which belongs to those who perform their obligations and avoid major persistence in sin, and basic faith (mutlaq al-iman), which describes a believer possessing the foundation of faith despite falling into disobedience al-Iman wa al-Radd ala Ah….
• The Declaration of Faith (La ilaha illa Allah): The second benefit details the meaning and prerequisites of the testimony of faith, asserting that pronouncing it is only valid when coupled with an understanding of its meaning—the negation of divinity for all else and the singular devotion of worship to God alone al-Iman wa al-Radd ala Ah…. It outlines essential conditions including knowledge, acceptance (al-qabul), sincerity (al-ikhlas), love (al-mahabba), submission (al-inqiyad), certainty (al-yaqin), and truthfulness (al-sidq) al-Iman wa al-Radd ala Ah…+1.
• Adherence to the Community and Political Authority: The third benefit addresses the obligation of unity and the prohibition of breaking away from the collective body of Muslims (al-nahy 'an mufaraqat al-jama'ah), citing scriptural proofs for obedience to established rulers and outlining the prohibition of rebellion and breaking allegiance al-Iman wa al-Radd ala Ah…+1.
• Subsequent Rulings: Later sections and appendices address practical legal and doctrinal questions, including answers on defective commercial contracts (al-'uqud al-fasida) and marital oaths al-Iman wa al-Radd ala Ah…+1.