Aqidat al-Tawhid wa Bayan ma Yudaduha min al-Shirk al-Akbar wa al-Asghar wa al-Tatil wa al-Bida wa Ghayr Dhalik
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- Aqidat al-Tawhid wa Bayan ma Yudaduha min al-Shirk al-Akbar wa al-Asghar wa al-Tatil wa al-Bida wa Ghayr Dhalik
Aqidat al-Tawhid wa Bayan ma Yudaduha min al-Shirk al-Akbar wa al-Asghar wa al-Tatil wa al-Bida wa Ghayr Dhalik (The Creed of Monotheism and an Exposition of What Opposes It of Major and Minor Polytheism, Nullification, Innovations, and Other Matters) is a concise theological treatise on Islamic monotheism (tawhid) and creed (aqidah) by the contemporary Saudi scholar Salih al-Fawzan .
Composition and Sources
Al-Fawzan composed the book as an accessible, abridged manual on Islamic creed designed for learning and teaching . He noted in his introduction that sound creed is the foundation upon which all deeds depend for their validity and divine acceptance . The author drew its material from classical scholarly works, particularly the writings of Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, and the scholars of the Najdi reform movement .
Al-Fawzan framed the work as a response to contemporary intellectual and religious currents that he identified as deviating from Islamic orthodoxy, including atheism (al-ilhad), monastic and deviant forms of Sufism (al-tasawwuf wa-l-rahbaniyyah), idolatrous grave-worship (al-quburiyyah al-wathaniyyah), and religious innovations (al-bida') .
Structure and Contents
The book addresses the essential topics of Athari creed and the tripartite classification of tawhid, contrasting them with doctrines and practices that undermine or nullify monotheism .
- Introduction to Creed (Madkhal li-Dirasat al-Aqidah): Defines aqidah linguistically and legally as firm belief in the six pillars of faith: God, His angels, His revealed scriptures, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree (qadar) . It divides religious law into fundamental beliefs (i'tiqadiyyat) and practical branches (amaliyyat) . It establishes that creed is non-speculative and strictly revelation-based (tawqifiyyah), limited to the Quran, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the early generations (al-Salaf al-Salih) . It also outlines the causes of doctrinal deviation—such as ignorance, blind traditionalism, following groups like the Jahmiyyah, Mu'tazilah, and Ash'aris, exaggeration regarding saints (al-ghuluww fi-l-awliya), and secularization in education and media—and sets forth means of safeguarding belief .
- The Classification of Monotheism: Covers the three categories of tawhid:
- Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (Monotheism of Lordship): Affirming God's absolute uniqueness in creation, sustenance, sovereignty, and cosmic governance, showing that polytheists historically acknowledged this level of lordship .
- Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Monotheism of Worship): Singling out God alone in all acts of devotion—such as supplication, sacrifice, and vows—and explaining that this was the central message of the prophets .
- Tawhid al-Asma wa-l-Sifat (Monotheism of Names and Attributes): Affirming all divine names and attributes mentioned in the Quran and authentic Sunnah without distortion (tahrif), negation (ta'til), speculation on their modality (takyif), or likening them to creation (tamthil) .
- Nullifiers and Opposing Doctrines: Details major and minor polytheism (al-shirk al-akbar wa-l-asghar), disbelief (kufr), hypocrisy (nifaq), theological negation (ta'til), and various heretical innovations and superstitions that violate or diminish the perfection of monotheism .
Editions
The work has been published in multiple editions, including a first edition by Dar al-Asimah in Riyadh (1420 AH / 1999–2000 CE), an edition by Jam'iyyat Ihya al-Turath al-Islami in Kuwait, and various independently sponsored charitable prints .
Answer updated