al-Mufid fi Muhimmat al-Tawhid
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- Editions
- Dar al-I'lam
al-Mufid fi Muhimmat al-Tawhid (The Useful Guide to the Essentials of Monotheism) is a contemporary treatise on Islamic creed and theology by Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhammad Ata Sufi.
Background and Composition
The book originated from a series of academic lectures delivered by the author to students at the Teachers' College (Kulliyyat al-Muallimin) for the general preparation course in Islamic Creed (Aqidah 101S). Sufi completed the manuscript in Abha on 29 Ramadan 1422 AH (December 2001 CE), noting that it was compiled from classical Sunni theological works to present core creedal topics in an accessible manner. The work was published by Dar al-I'lam in its first edition in 1422–1423 AH (2001–2002 CE).
Structure and Contents
The book is arranged as a systematic syllabus covering fundamental creedal terminology, methodological principles, and the doctrinal divisions of monotheism and related subjects:
- Terminology and Foundational Concepts: The opening section examines key theological terms, including ʿaqīdah, tawḥīd, uṣūl al-dīn, sunnah, and al-fiqh al-akbar, outlining their linguistic and technical meanings alongside representative classical works under each designation. It also defines key theological groupings and descriptors, notably Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah, the Salaf, the Khalaf, and Ahl al-Hadith.
- Sources and Characteristics of Creed: The work discusses the sources of Islamic creed, the status and scope of human reason (al-ʿaql), and the resolution of apparent conflicts between sound reason and explicit revelation (darʾ taʿāruḍ al-ʿaql wa-l-naql). It details the distinguishing traits of the Islamic creed, defining it as revelation-bound (tawqīfiyyah), dealing with the unseen (ghaybiyyah), comprehensive (shumūliyyah), and moderate (wasaṭiyyah), both among world religions and among divergent Islamic sects.
- The Testimonies and Pillars of Worship: It outlines the eight conditions of the testimony of faith (lā ilāha illā Allāh)—knowledge, certainty, acceptance, submission, truthfulness, sincerity, love, and disavowal of false deities—along with the ten major nullifiers of Islam (nawāqiḍ al-Islām). It defines worship (ʿibādah) and its three core pillars: love (maḥabbah), hope (rajāʾ), and fear (khawf).
- Polytheism and Avenues to It: The book analyzes major polytheism (al-shirk al-akbar) across lordship, divine names and attributes, and divinity/worship (including invocation, intercession, obedience, and intent), as well as minor polytheism (al-shirk al-aṣghar), such as ostentation (riyāʾ), seeking worldly gain through religious acts, swearing by other than God, amulets (tamāʾim), incantations (ruqā), and omens (tiyarah). It addresses means leading to polytheism, such as excessive reverence (ghuluww) for prophets and righteous people, taking graves as places of worship, making images and statues, seeking illegitimate blessings (tabarruk), and celebrating innovated festivals.
- Disbelief, Hypocrisy, and Allegiance: The final chapters define the categories and types of major and minor disbelief (kufr), encompassing sorcery (siḥr), divination (kihānah), and astrology (tanjīm); major and minor hypocrisy (nifāq); and the theological doctrine of loyalty and disavowal (al-walāʾ wa-l-barāʾ), including its scriptural basis, scope, and legal rulings.
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