al-Irshad ila Sahih al-Itiqad wa al-Radd ala Ahl al-Shirk wa al-Ilhad

al-Irshad ila Sahih al-I'tiqad wa-l-Radd 'ala Ahl al-Shirk wa-l-Ilhad (Guidance to the Sound Creed and Refutation of the People of Polytheism and Atheism) is a book on Islamic theology by the Saudi scholar Salih al-Fawzan (b. 1363 AH / 1944 CE), focusing on foundational Sunni creed (aqidah), monotheism (tawhid), and the refutation of polytheistic practices and ideological deviations al-Irshad ila Sahih al-It…+1.

Origin and Purpose

The material for the book originally comprised a series of educational radio lectures broadcast across Saudi Arabia on the Holy Quran Radio (Idha'at al-Quran al-Karim) al-Irshad ila Sahih al-It…. The author noted in his introduction that he had not initially intended to publish these talks as a printed work, but he undertook compiling, organizing, and editing them after peers suggested doing so to ensure their enduring utility al-Irshad ila Sahih al-It….

In setting out the purpose of the work, al-Fawzan highlighted the necessity of prioritizing sound belief in Islamic outreach (da'wah) al-Irshad ila Sahih al-It…. He argued against preachers who neglect creedal correction or who advocate setting aside theological differences in the name of political or social unity, maintaining that genuine communal cohesion is unattainable without adherence to the Quran and the Sunnah, especially regarding core theological doctrines al-Irshad ila Sahih al-It….

Scope and Themes

The book addresses the essential matters of Islamic doctrine, defining sound creed as adherence to that which was conveyed by the prophets and revealed scriptures al-Irshad ila Sahih al-It…+1. It examines the following subjects:

• The Foundations and Impact of Sound Belief: Expounding that correct faith validates righteous deeds, secures spiritual salvation in the afterlife, and establishes the inviolability of life and property in this world al-Irshad ila Sahih al-It….
• Refutation of Polytheism and Grave Veneration: Warning against major and minor polytheism (shirk), religious innovations (bid'ah), superstition, and practices surrounding shrines and tombs al-Irshad ila Sahih al-It….
• Allegiance and Dissociation (al-Wala wa-l-Bara): Detailing the rules concerning the imitation of non-Muslims in their distinctive practices and appearance, as well as the juristic regulations governing residence in and travel to non-Muslim lands Mawqi al-Islam Su'al wa J…+1.

Editions

The work has been issued in single-volume format across numerous editions by several publishing houses, including:

• Dar Ibn Khuzaymah (second edition, 1417 AH) al-Athar al-Warida an al-….
• Dar Ibn al-Jawzi in Dammam (including editions in 1422 AH and a fifth edition) al-Daawa al-Muasira al-Mu…+1.
• Maktabat al-Hidayah in Casablanca (second edition, 1423 AH / 2002 CE) Ihya al-Athar Dirasa Aqdi….
• General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta in Saudi Arabia (third edition, 1430 AH) al-Tansir abr al-Khadamat….
• Maktabat al-Minhaj in Riyadh Nawat al-Maktaba.