al-Qadaya al-Kulliya lil-Itiqad fi al-Kitab wa al-Sunna
- Author died
- 1442 AH
- Editions
- The book is published on the website of the Saudi Ministry of Awqaf without publication details
al-Qadaya al-Kulliya lil-Itiqad fi al-Kitab wa al-Sunna (Universal Propositions of Creed in the Book and the Sunna) is a concise treatise on Islamic doctrine composed by the Salafi scholar Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd al-Khaliq (d. 1442 AH / 2020 CE), summarizing the core tenets of Sunni creed, methodology, and legal principles in a numbered format .
Context and Purpose
The author composed the treatise to present the comprehensive principles (kulliyyat) of the Islamic creed in an accessible manner for the general Muslim public, following the tradition of classical scholars who authored concise creedal texts . In compiling its rules, he drew upon classical creedal summaries, specifically the statements of Ibn Taymiyya from his Fatawa and al-Aqida al-Wasitiyya, the Tahawiyya creed, and the creed of Abu Zayd al-Qayrawani (Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani) .
The work was also intended to provide conceptual safeguards against contemporary intellectual confusion, theological deviations, and newly emergent controversies, addressing how secondary legal disputes historically evolved into major sectarian schisms . In a preface dated 27 Dhu al-Qada 1402 AH (15 September 1982 CE) in Kuwait, the author noted that approximately a decade had passed since the first edition appeared .
Structure and Contents
The treatise is organized into 158 sequentially numbered propositions divided across five major thematic headings:
- Faith (al-Iman): Comprises propositions 1 to 66, outlining belief in God's existence, oneness, transcendence above the Throne, and eternal names and attributes without anthropomorphism or denial; the purpose of creation; monotheism in worship (tawhid al-uluhiyya); the divine scriptures, with the Quran being the uncreated word of God; the messengers, their human nature, infallibility in conveying revelation, and the finality, miracles, and intercession of Muhammad ﷺ; the events of the Last Day, including the signs of the Hour, the questioning and life of the grave, Paradise, Hell, the Scale (al-Mizan), the Bridge (al-Sirat), and the Basin (al-Hawd); and divine decree and destiny (al-qada wa al-qadar), affirming human choice while rejecting both the fatalism of the Jabriyya and the denial of divine predetermination by the Qadariyya .
- The Islamic Ummah (al-Umma al-Islamiyya): Comprises propositions 67 to 86, detailing the brotherhood of believers across all eras; love and loyalty for the Companions, with precedence given to Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talib; refraining from disparaging the Companions over their disputes; defining faith as encompassing varied degrees; prohibiting the excommunication (takfir) of Muslims for sins unless deemed permissible; and affirming the validity of prayer behind both righteous and sinful rulers .
- Principles of Islamic Propagation (Usul al-Dawa ila Allah): Comprises propositions 87 to 104, defining the goals and fruits of dawa; the conditions for commanding right and forbidding wrong; methods of inviting to Islam; the permissibility of forming organizational groups for propagation provided they preserve Muslim brotherhood and do not claim to be the exclusive body of Muslims; and the enduring obligation and purposes of jihad .
- Stance toward Non-Muslims (al-Mawqif min Ghayr al-Muslimin): Comprises propositions 105 to 119, establishing the common origin of humanity from Adam; distinguishing the Ummah of invitation (ummat al-dawa) from the Ummah of response (ummat al-ijaba); guidelines on war, treaties, truces, and alliances; prohibiting religious concessions or taking warring non-Muslims as allies; and recommending benevolence toward non-combatants .
- Principles of Jurisprudence (Usul al-Fiqh): Comprises propositions 120 to 158, affirming that legislation belongs to God; the Quran and authentic Sunna (both mutawatir and ahad) as primary legal authorities; the authority of the consensus of the Companions; following the understanding of the righteous predecessors (al-Salaf al-Salih); obedience to rulers in non-sinful matters and the duty of consultation (shura); the legal maxims of worship and customary transactions; legal analogy (qiyas); the prerequisites and categories of ijtihad and taqlid; and returning disputes to the text of revelation .
Commentary and Dissemination
Following its initial publication, the text was reprinted multiple times across different regions of the Muslim world . Although pressing writing commitments delayed the author from authoring an immediate written commentary, he delivered an oral exposition of the work spanning approximately forty-five audio-recorded lectures that circulated widely among students of Islamic knowledge .
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