Risala fi Usus al-Aqida
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'wah and Guidance - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Risala fi Usus al-Aqida (A Treatise on the Fundamentals of Creed) is a concise work on Islamic theology written by Muhammad bin Awdah al-Saawi . The treatise presents a summary of Islamic dogma and the fundamentals of belief according to the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunna wa-l-Jama'a .
Structure and Scope
The author organized the work into an introduction followed by three core thematic divisions :
- Introduction (Muqaddima): Defines the term ʿaqīda and its related nomenclature, outlines the foundations of Islamic belief, discusses the status and primacy of the science of creed, specifies its authoritative sources, presents the methodology of Ahl al-Sunna in establishing and proving theological tenets, and explains what is obligatory upon the legally accountable individual (al-mukallaf) .
- The Six Pillars of Faith (Usul al-Iman al-Sitta): Provides an exposition of the six foundational articles of faith: belief in Allah (His existence, lordship, exclusive right to worship, and divine names and attributes), His angels, His revealed scriptures, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree (al-qadar), both good and bad .
- The Doctrinal Issues of Faith (Masa'il al-Iman): Explores the theological definition and designation of īmān, its increase and decrease with righteous deeds and sins, and the ruling regarding the perpetrator of a major sin (murtakib al-kabīra) .
- The Rights of the Household and the Companions: Details the status and rights of the Prophet's household (Ahl al-Bayt) and his Companions (al-Sahaba) .
Methodological Approach
The treatise establishes that the primary sources for deriving Islamic creed are exclusively the Quran and the authentic prophetic Sunna . In interpreting revelation, the author emphasizes reliance on the reports and understanding of the Companions and the Successors (al-Tabi'un), alongside the conventions of the Arabic language .
Regarding epistemology, the work maintains that authentic textual transmission (al-naql al-sahih) and sound, uncorrupted intellect (al-aql al-sarih) do not conflict . In cases of apparent contradiction, textual revelation takes precedence because revelation is fixed and established, whereas human intellect is subject to variation and shift .
Answer updated