Hafiz Mawlana Md. Nazmuddin: The only means of attaining welfare and salvation in both this world and the Hereafter is Islam. The gateway to the house called Islam is Iman (Faith), and its main exit gate is Kufr (Disbelief). The essential component of Iman is Aqidah (Belief). In other words, the totality of one’s Aqidah constitutes one’s Iman. Therefore, if Aqidah is not purified, Iman cannot be pure. For a person to have pure Iman, his Aqidah must be correct and purified, since Aqidah forms the very foundation of faith and religion.
If Aqidah is incorrect, then no matter how many righteous deeds a person performs, their ultimate destination will be Hell. Hence, it is essential for every Muslim to possess correct knowledge of Aqidah. Unfortunately, in our society today, various sects and distorted beliefs are spreading rapidly, confusing ordinary people about what the true Aqidah is. Some perform good deeds but lack correct belief, while others desire to hold the right belief but are unaware of what authentic Aqidah truly is. Thus, acquiring basic knowledge of Aqidah is obligatory for every Muslim.
The Five Fundamental Components of Shariah
The Shariah (Islamic Law) is composed of five fundamental components:
1. Itikadat (Beliefs / Aqidah)
2. Ibadat (Acts of Worship)
3. Akhlaqiyat (Morals and Ethics)
4. Muasharat (Social Conduct)
5. Muamalat (Transactions and Dealings)
Among these, the most important is Itikadat, i.e., Aqidah (Belief).
Definition of Aqidah
The plural of Aqidah is Aqaid. Aqidah refers to a set of firm beliefs upon which Allah’s pleasure and the final determination of Paradise or Hell depend.
Benefits of Correct Aqidah
Benefit 1: Authentic Aqidah is known as Islamic Aqidah.
Benefit 2: Through correct Aqidah, Allah’s pleasure and the judgment of Paradise are attained; whereas, false or corrupted Aqidah leads to Allah’s displeasure and the judgment of Hell.
The Importance of Correct Aqidah
Every Muslim must know what beliefs to hold. Otherwise, even if we engage in acts of worship, they will not be accepted if our Aqidah is incorrect. Correct Aqidah must be maintained in the following essential areas:
Aqidah related to Allah (SWT)
Aqidah related to Qadar (Divine Decree)
Aqidah related to Prophets (Ambiya)
Aqidah related to Angels (Malaika)
Aqidah related to Divine Books (Kutub)
Aqidah related to Companions (Sahaba)
Aqidah related to Death and the Grave (Barzakh)
Aqidah related to Signs of the Day of Judgment
Aqidah related to the Hereafter
Aqidah related to Paradise and Hell
Aqidah related to Faith and Disbelief
It is essential to have correct understanding in all these matters so that our deeds may be accepted by Allah. Otherwise, regardless of how many acts of worship we perform, they will not be accepted.
Sources of Learning Aqidah
To acquire this vital knowledge, one must seek guidance from authentic scholars (Ulama) and study reliable books written by trustworthy authors. Though there are many books available in Bengali, it is necessary to identify and study the authentic ones.
May Allah grant us the ability to hold fast to the correct Aqidah and live by it. Ameen.
Writer:
Hafiz Mawlana Md. Nazmuddin
Student, Jamia-tul-Qasim, Saudi Arabia
