THE MUSLIM'S BELIEF

BY
ShaikhMuhammadas-Silehat-Uthaimin

Translatedby
Dr. ManehHammadal-Johani
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Translator'sForeward
- ShaikhIbn Baz'sPreface
- Author's Introduction

ChapterI - Beliefin Allah's Lordship,Oneness,

and
Attributes
Allah's Will: Universaland Legal
More of Allah's Artributes
DescribingAllah by His Revelation
chapterrl
: il::::;.::#'o.lll,-, contradi.
tions
ChapterIII - Angel'sFunctions
ChapterIV - Beliefin Allah'sBooks
- Booksknown
- The Qur'a-nProtectedfrom Change
- PreviousScriptures
Changed.
ChapterV - Beliefin l\,lessengers
- The Firstend LastMessengers
- The BestMessengers
 - Messengers
are Human beings
- Islam:The Universaland Final Message
- RightlyGuidedcaliphs
- Prophet'sCompanions

ChapterVI - Beliefin the Angels

- Beliefin Resurrection
- Beliefin Recordsand Scales
- The Prophet'sIntercession
- The StraightPath
Beliefin Paradiseand Hell
- Beliefin What Happensin the Grave
ChapterVII - Belief in Fateand Divine Decree
- Levelsof Beliefin Fate
- Man's FreeWill
- Fate No Excusefor Sinners
- Evil Not Attributablero Allah
ChapterVIII - Virtuesof Beliefin Allah
- Virtuesof Beliefin Angels
- Virtuesof Beliefin Books
- Virtuesof Beliefin Messengers
- Virtuesof Beliefin Day of Judgement
- Virtuesof Beliefin Fate.
 TRANSLATOR'SFOREWARD
ln the Name of Allah. Mosl Grgcious, Most Merciful

I found this treatise of the Muslim's creed a conciseand useful pre-

sentation of a very important topic. The need for this treatise,especially
among the non-Arabic speakingreaders.cannot be over-estimated.The-
refore, I decidedto transalte it and make it accessableto English readers.
I would like to draw the attention of the readersto the following
points:
l. I gave the book the title THE MUSLIM'S BELIEF insteadof the
author's'Agidat Ahl rs Sunnahwe-l-Jami.ah which may be trans-
lated as The Creed of the Peopleof Sunnahand Mejority. I think
my preferenceis justified by:
a) The title I preferredis shorter
b) The two titles mean almost the same
c) The original title containssometechnicalterms that are not only
difficult to translate,but also difficult to understandby many rea-
ders.
d) The original title may antogonizesome readerswho are misin-
formed about the true designationsof the words in the original
title.
2. I provided, in parentheses after every Qur'dnic verse,the numbers
cf chaptersand versesquoted by the author without giving their
proper reference. This I deemed useful for readers who do not
know the Qur'an by heart and would like to check any of these
verses.
3. Becausethe author, in most cases,quotes or paraphrasessome of
the Prophetic traditions without indicating them to the readers.I
tried, wheneverI could recognizethesetraditions, to put them in
quotations and to cite in parenthesesthe Prophetic collectionsin
which they are reporred.In most casesI limited myself to Bukhari
and Muslim collections,wheneverthe sayingis quoted in them. If it
is not in thesetwo collections,'l mention one or two of the other
collectionsthat contain the quoted saying.

4 . I p r o v i d e dt h e a r r a n g e m e not f t h e t e x t i n t o c h a p t e r sa n d h e a d l i n e s
for easeof reading and understanding.I also provided a table of
contentsfor easeof reference.

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 5. ln translatingthe Qur'6nic versesquoted in this treatise,I did not
follow any specific translation of the Qur'in. I benefited from
more than one, but followed my own preference.
It is my sinceredesireand hope that this book would be of greathelp
to thosewho consult it. Pleaseinclude in your prayer all those who con-
tributed to its presentshape.

M.J.

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 PREFACEBY SHAIKH ABD AL.AZIZ IBN BAZ
In the Name of Allah. Most Gracious.l\fost l\lerciful.

P r a i s eb e l o n g st o A l l a h a r o n e ;p c a c ea n d b r c . ' r i r r o
, rn t h e l a s t p r o -
p h e t ,h i s f a m i l v a n d h i s c o m p a n i o n s .
I w a s i n t r o d u c c dt o r h el a l u a b l ea n c lc o n c i s ct r c a t i s ro. n t h e M u r l i m . s
belief preparcd b1' our brorher. rhe -ereatschotar. shaikh N{uhanrrnad
a s - s d l e ha l - U r h a i m i n .I l i s r c n c .tct lr i t a l l a n d t ' o u n d; h a r i r c o v e r st h e
crccd
o f t h e S u n n i r c sa n d t h e m a i ' s t r c a n lm a j o r i t yo f l l r c i l u s l i m s , i n t h c
arca
o f t h e o n e n e s so f A l l a h . H i s A , r r r i b u t e st ,h c b c r i c f i n r h e A n g e r s .t h c
B o o k s a n d r h e \ l c s s c n - c c r si l.: c D a 1 ' o f J u d g e m e n a r nd in the bcliefof
F a t e a n c !D i ' i n c D e c r e e .H e ' s u c c c c d c d i n c o l l c c t i n gu h a r r h c s e c k c ro f
k n o r r ' l c d gacn d L ' \ ' c r )\ t u s l i m n c c d i n h i s b e l i c . t ' i nA I l a h . H i r , \ n g e l , . H i s
S c r i p t u r e sH . i s m e s s c ' n g e rt sh,e D a 1 . o l ' J u d g c n r . ' a nn r c iF u t c .H c i n c l t r r l c < l
i n h i s t r c a t i s eu s c f u li n t o r m a t i o nr c l a r e crlo t h c l r t u s l i m , sb e l i c f sr h a r
are
n o t r e a d i l ya ' a i l a b l c i n m a n y o f t h e b o o k s w r i r r e no n r h e s et o p i c s .M a y
Allah re'*'ardrhc aurhor, incrcasehim in knouredgcand guidance,ancl
make this book and his othcr books mosr uselul. i\lay-Allah the Hcarer
and the Close, blessus and him and all our brothersanclmake us among
thosewho are guiding and righrly guidedto call peopleto Allah uirh surc
knowledge.

D i c t a t c db v ' A b d a l - A z i z i h n B a z . n r l y A l l a h f o r g i v c
h i n t u n d s h o w e rp e a c ca n d b l e s s i n go n
< r u rP r o p h c r l \ t u h a m n r a d ,h i s l ' : r m i 1 1a. .n d h i s
companions.

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 AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION

I n t h e N a m e o f A l l a h , M o s t G r a c i o u s ,M o s l M e r c i f u l .
P r a i s eb e t o t h e L o r d o f t h e u n i v e r s ew h o g i r e st h e b e s tr e w a r dt o t l r c
godfearingand the great lossto the transgressor.I bear witnessthat there
is no God but Allah; He has no partner and possesses real sovereignty.I
bear witnessthat Muhammad is His servantand messenger;the seal of
the Prophetsand the leaderof the godfearing.May Allah blesshim and
blesshis family, companionsand those who follow them till the Day of
Judgement.
Allah has sent His messenger Muhammad, peacebe upon him' with
the real guidance and the true religion as a mercyto mankind, a model for
those who do good, and Allah's argument against mankind. Through
Mumhammad and what was revealed to him, namely,the Qur'6n and the
Prophetic sayings,Allah showedmankind all meansof reforming them-
selves and straighterring their religious and mundane affairs in sound
beliefs,right conducts,fine morals, and laudablemanners.The Prophet,
peacebe upon him, 'left his followers' on a clear straight path, only the
doomed will deviatefrom it." (lbn Mdjah & Ahmad) His followers,the
companiorrs,their followers and those who faithfully followed them are
the best of mankind. They establishedhis law, upheld his way and held
fast to it as a belief and piactice,a moral and manner. By this, "They are
consideredthe party who are victorious, on the straight path, unharmed
by those who are against them till the end of the world." (Bukhiri &
Muslirl).
We, thanks to Allah, are following their footstepsand guided by
their exampleswhich are supported by the Qur'dn and the Prophetic tra-
ditions. We are sayingthis only as an announcementof Allah's blessings
and clarificationof what every Muslim should believe.We pray to Allah
that He may keep us and our brotherson the straightpath in this life and
in the Hereafter and give us mercy from Him, He is the Giver.
It is beeauseof the importance ol this topic and the difference of
opinions about it, that I want to briefly explain our creed - the belief of
the Sunnites and the main stream Muslims (Ahl as-Sunneh
wr-l-Jami'ah). This creedis the belief in Allah, His Angels, His Books,
His Messengers,the Day of Judgement,and Fate whether good or bad. I
prav to Allah to make this effort sincerefor His sake, in agreementwith
Hrs wish, and useful for His people.
M.S.U.

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 CHAPTER I
OUR CREED
Our creedis to believein Allah, His Angels,His Books,His Mes-
sengers,the Day of Judgertrent,
and Fatewhethergood or bad.
Belief in Allah's Lordship,Oneness,
snd Attributes
- We believein Allah'sDivinity,thatis He is theLord, theCreator,the
Sovereign,and the Managerof all affairs.
- We believein Allah's Codship;that is, He is theTrue God andevery
other deity is false.
- We believein His Namesand Attributes, that is He has the mosr
magnificentNamesand the sublimeperfectAttributes.
- We believein His Onenessin all this, that is, He hasno associatein
His Divinity,His Godship,His Names,or His Attributes.Allah says
in the Qur'6n: "He is the Lord of the Heavensand the Earth and all
that is in betweenthem, so worship Him and be patient in His
worship,do you know any equalto Him." (19:65)
- We believethat He is "Allah thereis no Cod but He, the Living the
Everlasting.Slumber does not seizeHim, neither sleep;to Him
belongsall that is in the Heavensand the Earth. Who is therethat
shallintercedewith Him exceptby His permission? He knowswhat is
beforethem and what is behindthem, and they do not emcompass
anythingof His knowledgeexceptwhat He wills. His Throneextends
over the Heavensand the Earth; the preservation of them doesnot
burdenHim; He is the High, the Great." (2:255)
- We believethat "He is Allah, thereis no god but He - the Knower
of the Unseenand the Visible,He is the Most Gracious,Most Mer-
ciful. He is Allah, thereis no God but He, the King, the Holy One,
the Source of Peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the
Almighty, the Subduer,the Sublime.Glory be to Allah abovewhat
they associatewith Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the
Shaper,His arethe mostbeautifulNames.All that is in the Heavens
and the Earth glorfies Him. He is the Almighty, the Wise."
t59:22-4)
- We believethat to Him belongsthe kingdomof the Heavensand the
Earth: "He createswhat He pleases.He gives,to whom He wills,
females,and He gives,to whom He wills, males,. or He couplesthem,
malesand females;and He makeswhom He wills barren.Surely,Hc
is the Knowing.the Powerful." (42:49-50).

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We believethat "There is nothing whateverlike unto Him, He is thc
All-Hearing, the AII-Seeing.To Him belongsthe keys of the Hea-
v e n s a n d t h e E a r t h . H e e n l a r g e sa n d r e s t r i c t sp r o v i s i o n st o w h o m
He wills. Surely He has knowledgeof everything." (42:l l-12).
We believethat "There is no creaturethat movesin the Earth but its
provision dependson Allah. He knows its dwelling and its resting
place. AII is recordedin a clear Book." (l l:6)
We believethat "With Him are the keys of the Unseen;none knows
them but He. He knows what is in land and sea;not a leaf falls, but
He knows it. Not a grain in the deep darknessof the Earth, not a
thing greenor dry but it is in a clear Book." (6:59).
We believethat "Allah alone has the knowledgeof the Hour, sends
down rain, and knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it
shall earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it shall die.
Surely, Allah is All-knowing, All-aware." (31:34)
We believe that Allah speaks wbatever He pleaseswhenever [{e
pleases"And Allah spoke to Moses directly." Q:164) "And when
Moses came at Our appointed place, and his Lord spoke to him."
(7:143) "We called to him from the right side of the Mount (Sinai),
and We brought him near in communion." (19-52)
We believethat "If the oceanbecameink for the words of my Lord,
the ocean would be finished before the words of my Lord came lo
a n e n d . " ( 1 8 : 1 0 9 )" A n d i f a l l t h e t r e e st h a t a r e i n t h e e a r t h w e r e
pens, and the ocean (were ink), with sevenoceansswellingit there-
fore, the words of Allah would not be exhausted.Surely, Allah is
M i g h t y , W i s e . " ( 3 1: 2 7 ) .
We believe that Allah's words are the most truthfirl in conveying
information, the most just in ruling, and the fairest in conversation.
He said, "The word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and
justice." (6:l15) "And who is more truthful in his word than
Allah?" (4:74).
We believethat the Qur'an is Alllh's words. He literally spoke it to
Gabriel who conveyedit to the Prophet, peacebe upon him: "Say
(O Muhammad) the Holy Spirit has brought it down from your
Lord in truth." (16:102) "Truly it is the revelationof the Lord of
the worlds brought down upon your heart by the Faithful Spirit sc
that you may be one of the warners,in a clear Arabic tongue."
(26:192-5)
We believethat Allah is well above his creaturesin His person and
His Attributes, becauseHe says, "He is the High, lhe Great."

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 (2:255)"He is Supremeover His servants, and He is the Wise.the
All-aware."(6:l8).
- We believethat He "createdthe Heavens and the Earthin six days,
then He settledHimselfon the Throne;He manages everything."
(i0:3) His "settling on the Throne" meansthat He is sitting in
personon His Thronein a way that is becomingto His Majestyand
greatness. NobodybxceptHe knowsexactlyhow He is sitting.
- We believethat He is with His crearures while He is still on His
Throne.He knowstheir conditions,hearstheir sayings,seestheir
deedsand manages their affairs.He providesfor the poor'andthe
broken.He givessovereignty to whom He pleases and takesaway
sovereig,ntyfrom whom He pleases;He exaltswhom He wills and
He abaseswhom He wills. In His hand is all good and He is
powerful over everything.Whoever possesses these qualitites is
literallywith His creaturesevenif He is literallyaboverhemon His
Throne. "There is nothing whatsoever like unto Him; He is the
All-hearing,the All-seeing." (42:lll
- We do not say as the Incarnationists among the Jahomitesand
otherssay, that is, Allah is living with His creatureson Earth. We
considerwhoeversaysthis a non-believeror strayingawaybecause
he attributedto Allah that doesnot becomeHim of defects.
- We believein what His Messenger told us that He descends to the
nearsky beforethe lastthird of everynight and says:"Who prays
to Me and I will answerhis prayers?Who asksfMeand I will give
him? Who asksmy forgiveness and I will forgivehim? (Bukhari&
Muslim).
- We believethat He will comeat the Day of Judgement to judge
amongHis people because He said,"No indeed!whenthe Earth is
crushedto powder,and your Lord comesdown with the angelsin
rowsafter rows,and Hell is broughtour that day. On that day man
will remember, but what will rememberanceavail him?"
(89:21-23)
- We believethat He is the Doerof what He wills.

- 1'l-
ALLAH'S WILL: UNIVERSAL AND LEGAL
- We believe that His will is of two kinds:
Universal will: through which His intention is carried out. It is not
necessarythat what is carried out is liked by Him. This type of will means
permission,as Allah said, "Had Allah willed, they would not have fought
one againstthe other, but Allah doeswhateverHe desires," (2:253)and
"If Allah desiresto lead you astray, He is your Lord." (ll:34).
Legal will: which does not necessarilyentail that the execution of His
desire.The will, in this case,cannot be but what He likes, as He said,
"Allah wants to forgive you." (4:21)

- We believethat His universal and legal wills are part of His wisdom.
Every thing He performs in the universe or requires legally from His
creatures is for a good reason and according to His wisdom, whe-
ther we grasp it or it escapesour reasons: "ls not Allah the best of
Judges?" (95-9), "And who is better than Allah in judgement for
a peoplewho have firm faith." (5:50)
- We believethat Allah loves His selectservantsand they love Him:
"Say if you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you," (3:31)
"Allah will bring a people whom He will love and who will love
Him", (5:45) "Allah loves the steadfast," (3:146) "And act justly,
surely, Allah loves the just," (49:9) and "Do good; Allah loves
those who do good." (5:93)
- We believe that Allah likes what He prescribed of good deeds and
sayingsand He dislikeswhat He prohibited of bad deedsand
sayings:"If you disbelieve,surely Allah does not need you, yet He
does not like disbelief for His servants;if you are thankful, this
pleasesHim," (39:7), "But Allah disliked their marching forth. So
He kept them back, and it was said to them: "Stay with the weak-
lings." (9:aQ.
- We believethat Allah is pleasedwith those who believein Him and
do good deeds: "Allah is well pleasedwith them and they are well
pleasedwith Him. That is for him who fears his Lord." (98:8)
- We believe that Allah is angry with those who deserveHis anger
among the non-believersand others; "And those who think evil
thoughts of Allah, against them shall be the evil turn of fortune.
Allah is angry with them." (48:6) "But whoever opens his heart to
disbelief, on them is Allah's wrath and they shall have a severe
p "rnishment." (16:106).

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 MORE OF ALLAH'S ATTRIBUTES
- We believethat Allah has a glorious and dignified face: "There will
reinain the face of your Lord, majesticand splendid." (55:27)
- We believe that Allah has two generous hands: "No, both His
hands are wide open; He spendshow He pleases,"(5:64) "They do
not esteemAllah with the esteemthat is due to Him. The whole
Earth will be His handful on the Day of Resurrection,and the
Heavenswill be rolled up in His right hand. Glory be to Him and
exaltedis He above that which they associatewith Him." (39-67)
- We believe that Allah possesses two real eyes, becauseHe said,
" A n d b u i l d t h e a r k u n d e r O u r e y e sa s W e r e v e a l . " ( l l : 3 7 ) T h e
Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "His veil is light. Had He
removed it, the sublimity of His countenancewould have burnt all
that His sight reached." (Muslim & Ibn Mijah) The Sunnitesuna-
nimously have agreedthat His eyes are two. This is supported by
the Prophet's saying about rhe Dajjdl (the anri-Christ) that "he is
one-eyedand your Lord is not one-eyed." (Bukhiri & Muslim)
- We believethat "Eyes cannot perceiveHim, but He perceivesthe
e y e s ,H e i s t h e I n c o m p r e h e n s i b l teh, e A l l - a w a r e . " ( 6 : 1 0 3 )
- We believe that the believerswill see their Lord on the Day of
Resurrection:"Upon that day some faces shall be radiant, gazing
upon their Lord." (15:22-3)
- We believethat Allah has no equal becauseHis Attributes are per-
f e c t : " T h e r e i s n o t h i n g w h a t s o e v e lri k e u n t o H i m . H e i s t h e A l l -
H e a r i n g ,t h e A l l - S e e i n g . "( 4 2 : l l )
- We believethat "No slumber or sleepseizesHim," (2:255)because
His life is perfect and eternal.
- We believethat He does not do injustice to anybody becauseHis
fairnessis perfect.
- We believethat He is not unawareof His servants'deedsbecauseof
His perfect supervisionand comprehensiveknowledge.
- We believethat He is capableof doing anything in the Heavensor
in the Earth becauseof His perfect knor.rledgeand power: "lndeed
His command, when He desiresa thing, is only to say to it 'Be' and
it is." (36:82)
- We believe that He is free from wearinessand weaknessbecauseof
His super-power:"Surely, We created the Heavensand the Earth
and all that is betweenthem in six days, and no wearinesstouched
U s . "( 5 0 : 3 8 ) .

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DESCRIBINGALLAH B Y H I S R E V E L A T I O I \
We believein all that H e a s s i g n e dt o H i m s e l l ' o r w h a t H i s M e s s e n g : r
describedHim with. of names and attributes; but we reject two
concepts:
l) To say or believethat Allah's Attributes are similar to those of
His creatures:
2) To say or believethat Allah's Attributes are like such and such.

We negateall what He negatedabout Himself or what His Messenger

negatedabout Him. We believethat negation implies the affirmation
of a perfect opposite. We do not discusswhat He or His Messenger
did not mention about Him.
We believe that following this apprach is a must becausewhat Allah
affirmed or negated concerning Himself is a statement He made
about Himself. He knows Himself best, His words are most just and
trustful and people cannot know everything about Him. What
Aliah's Messengeraffirmed or negatedabout Him is a statementhe
made about Allah. Besidesknowing Allah bettcr than anyone, he is
the most truthful, sincereand eloquentamong people.Thus, in what
Allah said and what His prophet said concerning His Names and
Attributes is truth, knowledge,and clarification. Therefore,we have
no execuseto reject or even hesitate in accepting it.

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 PART II

T H E Q U R ( A N A N I ) S U N N A H : S O U R C E SO F H I S A T T R I B U T E S
All that we mentionedabout Allah's Altributes whetherbriefly or in
detail, affirmalively or negatively,is basedon the Book of our Lord and
the traditions of our Prophet. lt also agreeswith the practiceof the pre-
vious generationsof Muslims and the rightly guided scholarswho gnms
a f t e rt h e m .
We believeit is obligator;-to take the texts of the Qur'an and the
ProphetictraditionsconcerningAllah's Attributes at their face valueand
interpret them in a way that is suitableto Almighty Allah. We reject the
practiceof thosewho twistedthe meaningsof thesetextsand understood
t h e m i n a w a y .l h a t w a s n o t i n t e n d e db y A l l a h a n d H i s m e s s e n g e r .
We also reject the practiceof thosewho made them devoid of their
meaningsas conveyedby Allah and His Messenger.We finally reject the
approachof the exaggerationists who gavethem a pnysicalinterpretation
t h a t m a k e sA l l a h s i m i l a rt o s o m eo f H i s c r e a t u r e s .
T H U Q U R ' A N A N D S U N N A I I : S O U R C U SO I H t S A T T R I B U T E S

W e k n o r v f o r s u r et h a t w h a t i s r e v e a l e di n A l l a h ' s B o o k a n d i n t h e
t r a d i t i o n so f H i s M e s s e n g ei rs t h e t r u t h . l t d o e sn o t c o n t a i na n y c o n t r a -
d i c t i o n : " D o t h e y n o t p o n d e ro v e r t h e Q u r ' d n ? I f i t h a d b e e nf r o m o t h e r
t h a n A l l a h , s u r e l yt h e y w o u l d h a v e f o t r n d i n i t a l o t o f d i f f e r e n c e s . "
(4:82)
C o n t r a d i c t i o n si n s t a t e m e n t fsa l s i f y l h e m , a n d t h i s i s i m p o s s i b l ei n
t h o s es t a t e m e r r trse v e a l e df r o m A l l a h a n d s a i d b y l { i s M e s s e n g e rp,e a c e
b e u p o n h i m . \ \ / l r o o ' e rc l a i m st h a t t h e r ea r c c o n t r a d i c l i o n isn t h e Q u r ' a n ,
t h t ' l ' r o n h e t i ct r a d i t i o n so r b e t u e e nt h e t r r ' om u s t h a v eu i c k c d i n t e n t i o n
a n d a m i s g u i d e dh e a r t .S o h e s h o u l dr e p e n ta n d q u i t h i s s i t r . l l ' s o n r e o n e
i n r a g i n etsh a t t h c r ca r c \ o r n ec o t t t r i t d i c t i t t itlrrst h e Q u r ' a n ,t l r es a y i n g o sf
t h e P r o p h c to r b c l w e e nl h e s el r v < ,trh, i s m u s t b e a r e s u l to f h i s l i t t l e k n o w -
l e d g e ,i n a d e q u a t eu n d e r s t a n d i nogr l a c k o l d e e pt h i n k i n g .T h e r e f o r e ,h e
s h o u l ds e e kk n o r v l e d g a e n d d o h i s b e s t ' i nr e f l e c t i o nu n t i l t h e t r u t h i s c l e a r
t o h i m . l f a f t e r a l l t h e s ee f f o r t s , t h e t r u t h i s n o t c l e a rt o h i m , h e s h o u l d
l e a v et h e w h o l e m a t t e rl o t h e O n e w h o k n o w si t a n d s h o u l dq u i t h i s i m a -
g i n a t i o na n d s a ya s t h o s ef i r m l y r o o t e di n k n o w l e d g es a y : " W e b e l i e v ei n
i t . a l l i s f r o m o r r rI o r d " ( l : 7 ) H e m u s l k n o r r t h a t t h e r ea r e n e i t h e cr o n -
t r a d i c t i o n sn o r d i f f e r e n c e isn t h e O u r ' a n , t h e S u n n a ho r b e t u e e nt h e t w o .

- ll -
 CHAPTER III

BELIEF IN ANGELS
- We believein the existenceof the angelsof Allah and that they are
,,honouredservants.They do not speakbeforeHe does,and theyact
only by His command." (2l.26l Allah createdthem and they wors-
hippedand obeyedHim. Thosewho are at His presencedo not disdain
to worshipHim, nor do theyweary." (21:19)
- Angclsare concealedfrom us, we cannotseethem' Allah may show
them to someof His servants.The ProphetMuhammadsawcabriel
in his reat shapewith six hundredwings that coveredthe horizons
(Bukhlri & Muslim). Gabrieltook the form of a handsomehuman
beingwho met Mary and exchanged conversation with her. He came
to the Prophet while he was among his companions in the appea-
ranceof an unknownman who did not show any trace of long travel,
with very white clothesand very black hair. He sat facing the Pro-
phet: his kneesto the Prophet's knees, peace be upon him, and his
patmsontheProphet'sthighsandtalkedwiththeProphet.The
-Prophet
latr told his companionsthat the man theysawwasGabriel
(Brrkhiri& Muslim).
ANGEL'S FUNCTIONS
- We believetbat the angelsare assigned certainfunctions.Among the
angelsis Gabrielwho is entrustectwith revelation. He bringsit down
rrom nttatr to whomeverHe wishesamong His Prophets and Mes-
sengers.
Among them is Michaelwho is in chargeof rain and plantation.
Among them also is tsraftLwhois in chargeof blowingthe Horn at the
time oi Thunderbolringand ftesurreclion,Among them is the Angel of
death,who takesar"af people'ssoulsat the time of death'Amongthe
angeliis the onewho is in chargeof mountain;and Malik, the keeperof
Hell.
Someangelsareinchargeofembryosinwombs,othersareresp
siblefor protectingthe humanbeingsand otherangelsare busyin recor-
ding men's deeds:two angelsfor everyperson,"when the two angels
word
,"..iu. (hisdeeds),onesittingon the right and oneon theleft, not a
ready."
hf utteri but by him is an observer (50:18) Some other are
angels
put in his last abode.Two
in chargeof questioningthe deedafter he is
his
angelscometo him and ask him abouthis Lord, his Religion,and

-16-
Prophet.There"Allah confirmsthosewho believewith the firm say,in
the presentlife and the Hereafter,and Allah leadsastraythe evildoers
and Allah doeswhat He wills." (14:27)
Someof the angelsare in chargeof the dwellersof Paradise:"The
angelsenterto them from everygate,saying'peacebe upon you for that
you werepatient.How excellentis your final home." (13:24)
The Prophet, peacebe upon him, told us that seventythousand
angelsenteror pray in the PopulousHousein Heaveneveryday. They
nevercomebackto it aslong asthey live." (because
their turn will never
come)(Bukhiri & Muslim).

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 CHAPTER IV
BELIEF IN ALLAH'S BOOKS
- We believe that Allah revealed Books to His Messengcrsas pr'oof
against nankind and a guidance for the righteous workers. They
purified nd taught them wisdom by these Books.
- We be e that Allah sent down a Book with every Messenger
becaur He says "lndeed We sent down our Messengerswith the
clear signs, and We sent down with them the Book and the
Ilalanceso that people may uphold justice." (57:25)

BOOKS XNOWN
Among theseBooks we know the following:
I The Torrh which was revealedto Moses,peacebe upon him. lt is the
grealcst among the lsraelites' books. "Surely, \f,'e sclrt down the
Torah, whercin is guidanceand light; by its laws tltc Jcrrs have beerr
judged by the Prophets who surrenderedthemselveslo Allah, the
rabbis and the doctors of law becau:;elhey were entrustedthe pro-
tection of Allah's book and were witnessesthereto." (5:44)
2. The GospelrvhichAllah revealedto Jesus,peacebe uporr him. lt is a
confirrnation of the T0rah and a complementto it. "And we gave
him the Gospel, *'herein is guidance and light and confirming the
Torah before it, as a guidance and an admonition to th,
godfearing." (5:46) "And to make lawful to you certairrthings that,
trefore,were forbidden to you." (3:50)
3. The Psalmswhich Allah gave to David, peacebe upon ltitlr.
4. Tablels of Abraham lnd Moses, peacebe upon them.
5. The Glorious Qur'an which was revealed to l{is Prophet
Itlulrammad, the Seal of the Prophets. ll is "a guidance to the
pcoplc and clear signs of guidanceand criterion bet\\'cct.l
right and
u rong." ( 2 :I85)
TI{E QIJR'AN lS PROTECTED ['ROM CHANGII
Ihe Qur'an is "confirming the scripture that was bcfore it and
standsas a guardianover it." Thus, by the Qur'an Allah ablogatedall the
pt cvi6n5Books. Allah hasalso guaranteedits protectionlrotn any play or
nriscnievous distortion. "lndeed, We sent dorvn the messagcand We will
g t r a r di t . " ( 1 5 : 9 )T h a t i s b e c a u s et h e Q u r ' a n i s a p r o o f a g a i n s tm a n k i n d
till the f)ay of Judgement.

.-18-
PREVIOUS SCRIPTURES CHANGEI.)
The previousscripturrs were meant for a limited period that ended
with the revelationof what abrogatedthcm and exposedwhat had takcn
place in them of distortion and change.That is why they were not pro-
tected from corruption. They underwentdistortion, addition and omis-
sion. "Some of the Jewspervertwords from their meanings." (4:46)"So
'This is
woe to thosewho write the Book with their hands, and then say,
from Allah,' that they may sel. it for a little price. So woe to them for
what their hands have written, and woe to them for their earnings."
(2:79)"Say, who sentdown the Book that Mosesbrought as a light and a
guidanceto people?You put it into sheetsof papershowingsomeof thent
and concealingmuch." (6:91) "And there is a group among them who
twist their tongueswith the Book, that you may think it is a part of the
'lt
Book, but it is not part of the Book. And they say is from Atlah,' yet it
is not from Allah, and they tell a lie againstAllah and they know it. lt is
not for any human beingto whom Allah hasgiven the Book, the Wisdom
and the Prophethood to say to men "Worship me intead of Allah,"
(3:J8-70) "People of the Book! Our Messengerhas come to you,
making clear to you many things you have beenconcealingof the Book
and forgive you much. A light has come to you from Allah and a glorious
Book, with u'hich He will guide whoeverfollows His pleasurein the way
of peace,and bringsthem forth from darknessinto the light by His will."
( 5 :I 5 - l 6 )

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 CHAPTER V
BELIEF IN MESSENGERS
- We believethat Allah has sent to His people messengers who were
"bringing good tidings and warning, so that mankind might have
no argument against Allah after the messengers.Allah is All-
mighty, All-wise." (4: 165)
THE FIRST AND LAST MESSENGERS
- We believe that the first among the Messengersis Noah and the
last is Muhammad, peacebe upon them all. "We revealedto you
as We revealed to Noah and the Prophets after hiin." (a:163)
"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but the Mes-
sengerof Allah and the Sealof the Prophets." (33:40)
THE BEST MESSENGERS
- We believe that the best among the messengersis Muhammad,
then Abraham, then Moses, then Noah and then Jesus, son of
Mary. It is they who are meant by the following Qur'inic verse:
"And when We took compact from the Prophets, and from you,
and from Noah. and Abraham, Moses, and Jesus,son of Mary.
We took from them a solemn compact." (33:7)
- W e b e l i e v e t h a t M u h a m m a d ' s m e s s a g e ,p e a c eb e u p o n h i m ,
includes all the merits of the messagesof those dignified messen-
gers becauseAllah says, "He ordained for you that He enjoined
on Noah and what He revealedto you and what He enjoined on
Abraham Moses and Jesus,namely, establishedthis faith and be
u n i t e di n i t . " ( 4 2 : 1 3 )
MESSENGERS ARE HUMAN BEINGS
- We believe that all messenSersare created human beings who
have none of the divine qualities of Allah. Allah, the Exalted.
said about Noah. who was the first among them, "l do not say to
y o u , ' l p o s s e s st h e t r e a s u r e so f A l l a h , ' I d o n o t k n o w t h e u n s e e n ,
'l am an angel'." (ll:31) Allah directed
and I do not say:
Muhammad who is the last among them to say: "I do not say to
you I possessthe treasures of Allah, nor do I know the unseen,
'l am an angel." (6:50) And to say: "l
and I do not say to you
have no power to bring profit or hurt for myself, but as Allah

-20-
 wills." (7:188) And also to say: "1 have no power to hurt or
benefit you. Say none can protect me from Allah, nor can I find
any refuge besidesHim." (72:21-2)
- we believe that the messengersare among
Allah's servants. He
blessedthem with the messageand describedthem as servants,in
the context of praising and honouring them. So, He says about
Noah, the first among them: .,you.,are the descendantsof those
whom We carried with Noah, he was a truly thankful servant."
(l7:3)
Allah said about the last among them, Muhammad, peacebe upon
him: "Blessed be He who sent down the eur'dn to His servant,that he
may warn mankind." (25: I ) He said about someother messengers: , ,And
mention our servantsAbraham, Isaac, and Jacob men of might and
vision." (38:45) "And rememberour servantsDavid who was a mighty
a n d p e n i t e n tm a n . " ( 3 8 :l 7 ) " A n d t o D a v i d , w e g a v eS o l o m a n ,h e w a s a n
excellentand penitent servant." (38:30)
Allah said about Jesus,son of Mary: ,,He is only a servantwhom We
blessedand we made him an exampleto the children of Isreal." (63:59)
- we believethat Allah concludedall messageswith
the messageof
Muhammad, peacebe upon him, to all people becauseAllah said:
" S a y , ' O m a n k i n d , I a m A l l a h ' s m e s s e n g etro y o u a l l . T o H i m
belongs the Kingdom of the Heavensand the Earth; There is no
god but He. He ordains life and death. So believe in Allah and
His messenger,the unlettered prophet who believesin Allah and
His words. Follow him so that you may be rightly guided."
( 7 :I 5 8 )

ISLAM: THE UNIVERSAL AND FINAL MESSAGE

- we believe that rhe Sharijah of
the prophet Muhammad, peace
be upon him, is the religion of Isram which Ailah has chosen for
His servants and does not accept from anyone other rerigion,
b e c a u s eA l l a h , t h e E x a l t e d , s a i d , , , S u r e l y , r h e t r u e r e l i g i o - ni n
A l l a h ' s s i g h t i s I s l a m , " ( 3 : 1 9 )a n d . H e a l s o s a i d , . . T o d a y I
have
perfectedyour religion for you and I have completed my
favour
u p o n y o u , a n d I h a v e c h o s e nl s l a m t o b e y o u r r e l i g i o n . , , ( 5 : 3 )
And "whoever desiresa religion other than Isram, it wilr never
be
acceptedfrom Him, and in rhe Hereafrer he will be among
the
l o s e r s . "( 3 : 8 5 )

-21 -
- lt is our opinion that whoeverclaims the acceptabilityof any
existingreligiontoday - other than lslam - such as Judaisnt,
Christianityand so forth, is a non-believer.l{e shouldbe askedto
repent,if he doesnot, he must be killed as an apostatebecausehe
is rejectingthe Qur'an.
It is alsoour opinionthat whoeverrejectsthe universalmessage of
Nluhamntad,peacebe upon him, is rejedtingthe message of all messen-
gers,evenif he claimsthat he believesand followshis messenge . Allah,
the Exalted,said: "Noah's peoplerejectedthe messengers." (26:105)
Thus, Allah considered despitethe fact
them rejectingall the messengers
that therewasno messenger beforeNoah. This is alsoclearfrom the fol-
lowing verses:
"Those who disbelievein Allah and His messengers, and wish to
makcdivisionbetweenAllah and His messengers, and say:'We believein
someand disbelievein others,'wishingto take a midwaycourse.Those
indeedare the unbelievers,and We have.prepared for the unbelieversa
humiliatingpunishment."(4:150-l)
- We believethat thereis no prophetafter Muhammad,Allah's Mes-
senger,peacebe upon him. Whoever claims prophethoodafter
him, or believes because
in anyoneclaimingit, is a disbeliever he is
and the Muslims'consensus'
rejectingAllah, [Iis messenger,
TIIE RICHTLY GUIDED CALIPHS
- We believethat the Prophet, peace be upon him, had rightly-
guidedsuccessors who carriedout his Sunnrh in spreadingknow-
ledge, calling to Islam and managingthe Muslims' affairs. We
believethat the best among them and the most entitled to Cali-
phate was Abii Bakr as-Siddiq,then 'Umar lbn al-Khattab,then
'Urhman lbn 'Affan, then 'Ali lbn Abi TAlib, may Allah be
pleasedwith them all. Thus their succession to the Caliphatewas
accordingto their virtues. Allah, the Exalted, who possesses the
infinite wisdom, would not appoint a ruler over the best of gene-
ratiorrsunlesshe was the most superioramong them and had the
bestclairnto Cdiphate.
- We believethat the inferior among those rightly guided compa-
nions can be superiorin a specificvirtue to thosewho are better
than him, but he doesnot deserveabsolutesuperioritybecausethe
Slements constitutingsuperiorityare variedand numerous.
- We believethat the Muslim Ummahis the bestamongnations,and

-22--
 Allah, the Dignified and Exalted, has blessedit becauseHe said,
"You are the best nation ever brought forth for mankind, enjoi-
n i n g w h a t i s r i g h t a n d f o r b i d d i n g w h a t i s w r o n g , a n d b e l i e v i n gi n
A l l a h . " ( 3 :I l 0 )
IHE PROPHET'S COMPANIONS
- - W e b e l i e v et h a t t h e b e s t a m o n g t h e M u s l i m U m m a h a r e t h e P r o .
p h e t ' s C o m p a n i o n s ,t h e n t h e i r f o l l o w e r s ,a n d t h o s e w h o f o l l o w e d
them.
- W e a l s o b e l i e v et h a t a g r o u p o f t h i s U m m a h w i l l a l w a y s r e m a i n
v i c t o r i o u so n t h e r i g h t p a t h , u n h a r m e d b y t h o s e r v h o l e t t h e m
d o w n o r t h o s ew h o o p p o s et h e m , u n t i l t h e D a y o f J u d g e m e n t .
- We believethat the disputesthat took place among the Prophet's
Companionswere the result of sincere interpretationsthey rvorked
hard to reach. Whoever was right among them would be rervarded
twice, and whoever was wrong among them would be rervarded
once and his mistake would be forgiven.
- lt is our opinion that we shouldstop talking about thcir nristakes
and mention what they deserve of beautiful praise. \\re should
purify our hearts from hatred and malice against any of them,
becauseAllah said about them, "They are nol equal: those among
you who spent and who fought before the conquest of N,lakkah.
Those are higher in rank than those who spent and fought after-
w a r d s . B u t t o a l l A l l a h h a s p r o m i s e da E r e a tr e w a r d . " ( 5 7 ; 1 0 )A n d
Allah said about us, "And those who came after them say: our
Lord, forgive us and our brotherswho precededus in faith, and do
not put in our hearts any malice against those who have believed.
Our Lord, You arethe most Kind, most Merciful." (59:10)

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 CHAPTER VI

BELIEF IN THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT

- We believein the Final Day, which is the Day of Judgement,when
peoplewill be resurrectedalive to remain in the abodeof enjoy-
ment or in the abodeof severepunishment.
BELIEF IN RESURRECTION
- We believein Resurrectionwhich is Allah's bringingto life all the
dead when Israfil blows the Horn for the secondtime, "And the
Trumpet shall be blown and all who are in the Heavensand who
are in the Earth shall fall down fainting exceptthose that Allah
shall spare.Then, it shall be blown againand they shall risegazing
around them." (39:68) People will stand up from their graves,
answeringthe call of the Lord of the Universe.They are going to
be bare-footed,naked, and uncircumcised,"As We started the
first creation,so We shall bring it back again. This is a promise
from Us, so We shallassuredly fulfil it." (21:104)
BELIEF IN RECORDS& SCALES
- We believein the recordsof deedsthat will be given to peoplein
their right handsor behindtheir backs,in the left hands:"As for
him who is givenhis book in his right hand, he shall surelyreceive
an easyreckoningand he will return to his family rejoicing.But as
for him who is given his book behind his back, he shall call for
destruction on himself and will burn in a Blazing Fire."
(84:.7-12) "Everyman'swork We have fastenedon his own neck,
and on the Day of JudgementWe shall bring out for him a book
which he will see spread open, saying, fRead your own bookf
Enough for you this day that your own soul should call you to
account."(17:l3-14)
- We believethat scalesof deedswill be set up on the Day of Jud-
gementand no soul shall be wronged. "Whoever has done an
atom's weightof good shall seeit." (9:70E) "Those whosescales
arl heavy.theyaie the successful;but thosewhosescalesare light,
they are the ones who have I'st their souls in Hell dwelling
forever. The Fire will burn their faces, and there they will be
gloomy with lips displaced." (23:102-al "He that does a good
deed shall be rewardedten times the like of it, and he that does

-24-
 evil shall only be rewardedthe like of it, and they shall not be
wronged."(6:160)
THE PROPI{ET'SINTERCESSION
- We believe in the special great prophet
.Intercessionof the
Muhammad,peacebe upon him. He will pleadwith Allah, after
His permissionand on behalf of mankind,to judge among His
servantswhen they suffer from worries and troubleswhich they
cannotbear.They will go to Adam, then Noah, then Abraham,
then to Moses,then to Jesusand finally to ProphetMuhammad,
peacebe upon him.
- We believein the intercession which concenrssomebelieverswho
were to be taken out from the Fire. This mediationis grantedto
the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and to others
amongthe Prophets,the believers, and the angels.
- We believealso that Allah will savefrom Hell somepeopleamong
the believerswithout the intercession
of any one, but by His grace
and mercy,
TI{E PROPHET'SPOOL
- We believein the Pool of the Prophet, peacebe upon him, the
water of which is whiter than milk and sweeterthan honey and
betterin fragrancethan musk. Each of its lengthand width is the
distanceof a month-travel.Its glassesare as stars in beautyand
number. The believersamong the Prophet's followers come to
take from this greatcisterna drink after which they will neverbe
thirsty.
THE STRAIGHT PATH
- We believein the Straight Path isiret) set uD over Hell. people
passover it accordingto their deeds:the first of them as fast as
lighting, then as fast as wind, then as fast as birds, and then as
running men. The Prophet will be standingon the Path, saying,
"Lord, Save!Save!" Somepeople'sdeedswill fall short. Someof
them will come crawling. At both sides of the Path there are
hooks that are designedto take whom Allah wills: someare saved
but bruised;othersare thrown into Hell. (Bukhiri & Muslim).
- We believein all that is mentionedin the Qur'in or the Prophetic
sayingsconcerningthat day and its horrors, may Allah saveus
from them.

-25-
- (shef6'sh)of ProphetMuhammad,
We believein the intercession
peacebe upon him, for the peopleof Paradiseto enter therein.
This intercession is exclusively limited to the Prophet
Muhammad,peacebe upon him.

BELIEF IN PARADISE & HELL

- We believein Paradiseand Hell. Paradiseis the abodeof enjoyment
which Allah, the Exalted,preparedfor the righteous.The blessing
theyenjoy there,no eyehaseverseen,no ear haseverheardof, and
no humanbcinghaseverthoughtof: "No soul knowswhat comfort
is kept hiddenfor them,as a rewardfor their deeds."(32:17)Hell is
the abodeof punishmentwhich Allah has preparedfor the unbelie-
vers and the evildoers.The torture and horror in it clnnot be ima-
gined. "Surely, We have preparedfor the evildoersa fire, whose
pavilionencompasses them. If they call for help, they will be helped
with water like molten copper which will scald their faces.How
dreadfula drink and how evil a resting-place!"(18:29)
- Both Paradiseand Hell are existingnow and they will neverperish.
"Whoever believesin Allah and doesrighteousness, He will admit
to
him Gardensbeneath which riversflow, to dwell therein for ever.
Allah had indeed m.adefor him an excellentprovision." (65:ll)
"Certainly, Allah hascursedthe unbelievers and preparedfor them
a blazing Fire to dwell therein forever, they shall find neither pro-
tector nor helper.On the day when their facesare turned about in
the Fire, they shall say "Would that we had obeyedAl\ah and
obcyedthe Messenger!"(33:64-6)
- We confirm Paradiseto whom it is confirmedin the Qur'6n or the
Prophetictraditions either by name or desciption. Among those
who are grantedParadiseand mentionedby namesare Ab0 Bakr,
'Umar, 'Uthmiln, 'Ali and otherswho were specifiedby the Pro-
phet, peacebe upon him (Bukh?lriand Muslim). Among those
whom we confirm to enterParadisebecausethey fit the description
are the faithful and the pious.
- We likewiseconfirm Hell to whom it is confirmedin the Qur'an and
the sayingsof the Prophet,whetherin nameor description.Among
those who are meirtionedby namesto be in Hell are Ab'il Lahab,
'Amr lbn Luhai Al-Khuza'i and others(Bukhfri & MuSlim).Con-
firmation of Hell which is ba3ed on description includes every
unbcliever,polytheistor hypocrite.

-26-
 BELIT,FIN \+'HATHAPPENSIN THE GRAVE
- we believein the Triar of the Grave,which
is the questioning of the
dead personin his graveabout his Lord, his relijion and iis pro-
phet.There"Allah confirmsthosewho believewith
tne firm say,in
the presentrife and the Hereafter."(14:27)The believerwilr
say:
"Allah is my Lord,_.lslam is my religion,and Muhammadis my
Prophet."The unbeliever or the hypocritewill say,.,I don,t know,
I heardthe peoplesayingsomething and I saidit.,,
- we believein the comfort of the grave
for the berievers.,,Those
whoselivesthe angelstake in stateof purity, saying,peace
be on
you; enterParadise for what you weredoing'.,,(t6:31)
- we believein the punishment
of the grave for the transgressing
unbelievers: "rf you courdonry seewhen the evirdoersare-in rhe
agoniesof death and the angersare stretchingout their
hands,
saying,'Give up your souls!Today you shall be rewardedwith
the
punishmentof humiriationfor what you usedto
say untrury about
Allah, and for scornfullyrejectingHis signs.,,(6:93iThe
sayingsof
the Prophetare numerousand welr-knownin this area.
e vusri.
must believein ail that is reportedin the
eur'6n and prophetictra-
ditions concerningthe unseenmatters.He shourdnot contradict
it
by his worldly experiencebecausethe affairs of the
Hereafter
cannot be measuredby the affairs of this life. The difference
bet-
weenthem is very great.Allah is the sourceof help.
BEI,TEFIN FATN AND DIVINE DECREE
- we believein Fate,whethergood or bad, which
Alrah hasmeasured
and ordainedfor all creaturesaccordingto His previousknowredge
and as deemedsuitablebv His wisdom.
LEVELS OF BELIEF IN FATE
- Beliefin Fatehas four levels:
The first level is knowledge:We believethat Allah, may He be
exalted,knows everything.He knew what had happenedand what
will happenand how it will happen.His knowledgeis eternal.He
does not acquire a new knowledgenor does he forget what He
Knows.
The secondlevel is Recording:we believethat Altah has recorded
in the SecuredTablet (el-Lrwlr el-Mahfodh)whateveris going ro
happenuntil the Day of Judgement."Did you not know that Allah
knows all that is in Heavenand Earth? Surerythat is in a Book.
Surelythat for AIIah is an easymatter." e2.n\

- zt -
 The third level is Will: We believe that Allah has willed everything
in the Heaven and Earth. Nothing happens except by His will; wha-
tever He wills, will take place; and whatever He does not wish, will
not take place.
The fourth level is Creation: We believe that "Allah is the Creator
of all things; He is the Guardian over all things, and to Him belong
the keys of the Heavens and the Earth." (39:62-3)

The fourth level include whatever Allah Himself does and whatever
His creaturesdo. So, all that people perform of sayings,deeds,or
omissions are known to Allah and He has recorded them, willed
them and created them, "To those among you who will to be
upright. But you shall not will exceptas Allah wills, the Lord of the
Worlds." (81:28-9) "And has Allah willed they would not have
fought one againstthe other; but Allah does whateverHe desires."
(2:253) "Had Allah willed, they would not have done so, but leave
them alone and their false inventions." (6:137)"And Allah created
you and what you do." (37:96)

MEN'S FREEWILL
- We believe,however, that Allah has granted man a power and a
freewill by which he performs his action. That man's deeds are by
his power and freewill can be proven by the following points:
Firstly, Allah's saying, "So approach your fields (wives)when and
how you will." (2:223) "Had they desired to go forth, they would
have made some preparation for it." (9:46) In these'versesAllah
affirmed for man "a going forth" by his will and "a preparation"
by his desire.
Secondly,directing man to do or not to do. If man has no freewill
and power, these directions mean that Allah is asking man to do
that which he cannot. This proposition is rejected by Allah's
wisdom, His mercy and His truthful statementin the verse "Allah
does not charge a soul beyond its capacity." (2:286)
Thirdly, Praising the virtuous for his deedsand blaming the evil-
doer for his actions and rewarding each of them with what he
deserves.If the action is not done by the individual's freewill, then
praising the virtuous is a joke and punishing the evildoer is an
injustice, and Allah is, of course, free from joking and being
unjust.

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 Fourthly, Allah has sent messengers who are "bearing good
tidings, and warning, so that mankind might have no argument
against Allah after the messengers."(40:165) If the individual's
action is not performed by his freewill, his argument is not invali-
dated by the sen{ing of messengers.
Fifthly, every doer of actions feels that he does or does not do a
thing without any coercion. He stands up and sits; comes in and
goes out; travels and stays by his own freewill without feeling any-
body forcing him to do any of theseactions. In fact, he clearly dis-
tinguishes between doing something of his own freewill and
someoneelse forcing him to do that action. The Islamic law also
wisely distinguishesbetween these states of affairs. It does not
punish a wrong-doer for an action done under compulsion.
NO EXCUSEIN FATE TOR SINNI,RS
- We believethat the sinner has no excusein Allah's Divine Decree
begausehe commits his sin by his freewill, without knowing that
Allah has decreedit on him. That is. becauseno one knows Allah's
decree before it takes place: "No soul knows what it will earn
tomorrow." (31:34) How can it be possible, then, to present an
excusethat is not known to the personwho is advancingit when he
commits his offence? Altah invalidated this type of argument in
His saying: "The idolaters will say 'Had Allah willed, we would
not have been idolaters, neither our fathers, nor would we have
forbidden anything.'So did the people before rhem cry lies until
they tasted our might. Say: 'Have you any proofs that you can
show us? You follow nothing but assumption,and you are lying."
(6:148) We say to the sinner who is using Divine Decree as an
excuse: 'Why did not you perform deeds of obedience assuming
that Allah has decreed them upon you since there is no difference
between them and sins in being unknown before they happened
from you? That is why when Prophet Muhammad told his com-
panions that everyone'sposition in Paradiseor Hell has been assi-
gned, they said: "Should not we rely on this and stop working?"
He said: "No, work and every one will be directed to what he is
createdfor," (Bukhdri & Muslim)
We may say to the sinner who is trying to find excusein Divine
Decree:"Suppose, you want to travel to Makkah. There are two roads
that may take you there. You are told by a truthful person that one of
theseroads is dangerousand difficult, the other is easyand safe.You will

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take the secondone. You will not take the first road and say it is decreed
upon me. If you did, peoplewould consideryou crazy.
We may also say to him: "lf you are offered two jobs, one of them is
h i g h e ri n s a l a r y .Y o u w i l l c e r t a i n l yt a k e t h e o n e w i t h t h e h i g h e rs a l a r y .
How come do you choosdwhat is lower in rhe Hereafterand use Divine
Decreeas an excuse?"
We may further say to him: "We seeyou when you are inflicted with
a disease,you knock every phy'sician'sdoor looking for treatment and
bearing whateverpain that may result from surgicaloperationsand the
bitterneso s f m e d i c i n e .W h y d o n o t y o u d o t h e s a m ew h e n y o u r h e a r t i s
s p i r i t u a l l ys i c k w i t h s i n s ? "

EVII, NOT ATTRIBUT},D T0 ALI,AH

- W e b e l i e v et h a t e v i l s h o u l dn o t b e a t t r i b u t e dt o A l l a h b e c a u s eo f H i s
perfect mercy and wisdom. The Prophet said: "And cvil is not
a t t r i b u t a b l et o Y o u . " ( M u s l i m ) T h u s , A l l a h ' s d e c r e eb y i t s e l f h a s
no evil whatsoeverbecauseit is coming from mercy and wisdom.
E v i l m a y , h o w e v e r ,r e s u l t l r o m s o m e o f H i s d e c r c c s ,b e c a u s et h e
P r o p h c t s a i d i n t h e s u p p l i c i l l i o nf o r g u n I l w h i c h h c t a u g h t t o
al-Hasan: "And protect us from the evil of what You decreed"
( T i r m i t h i & O t h e r s ) H e r e , t h c P r o p l r c t a t t r i b u t e do ' i l t o w h a t H c
d e c r e e d .D e s p i t et h i s , e v i l i n H i s d e c r e ei s n o t p u r e e v i l . l t i s r a t h e r
evil in one respect,good in anothcr or it is cvil in onc case,and good
i n a n o t h e r . T h u s , c o r r u p t i o n i n t h e l a n d r e s u l t i n gf r o m d r o u g h t ,
disease,poverty and fear is evil, but it is good in another rcspccl.
A l l a h , t h e E x a l t e ds a i d : " C o r r u p t i o n h a s a p p e a r c do n t h c l a n d a n d
sea for what men's hands have earned. Allah has ordained this for
men, so that they may taste some o[ what they have done, in ordcr
t h a t t h e y m a y r u r n b a c k ( f r o r n e v i l ) . " ( 3 0 : 4 1 )C u t t i n g o f f t h e t h i e f ' s
h a n d o r s t o n i n gt h e a d u l t e r e ri s a n e v i l t h i n g f o r t h e t h i e f a n d t h e
adulterer,but it is good for them in one respectbecauseit is a puri-
ficatidn for them so that the punishment of this life and thc
Hereafter are not combined for them. lt is also good in anothe!'
respect. The application of these punishment is a protection ol'
property, honors, and relationships.

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 CHAPTER VIII
TRUITSOT'FAITH
f'his rublirnc'bclief which includesthose great principlesbears
numcrousand usefultypesof fruits for whoeverbelievesin it.
Virtuesof Beliefin Allsh:
. Beliefin Allah,His NamesandHis Attributesinstilsin theindividual
Allah's love and His glorificationthat resultin performingAllah's ins'
tructionsand avoidingHis proscriptionswhich are the meansof achiev'
ing ultimat,'happiness in this life and the Hereafterfor the individualas
asthe society."Whoever,maleor female,doesrighteousdeed,while
r.r'ell
believing,We shallassuredly granthim a goodlylife, and We shall'reward
themaccordingto the bestof theirrleeds."(16:97)
I'irluesof Beliefin the Angels:
Firstly.appreciating theDignityof Allah,His mightandHis sovereignty.
Secondh.uratitudetoward Allah because He puts someof the angelr
in chargeof His servantsr recordingtheir deedsand other thingsthat
benefitthem.
'thirdll of what they are
. lorc and admirationfor the angelsbecause
doing, namely, *orshipping Allah in the best possiblemanner and
prayingfor the believers.
Virtuesof Beliefin the Books:
Allah'smercyandcarefor His peoplein that He sent
I irsttl, appreciating
dou'na Book to everynationfor theirguidance.
Secondll'.appreciatingAllah's Wisdom becauseHe revealedin these
Booksto everynationwhat suit them.The gloriousQur'6n is the final
amongtheseBooksandit is suitableto all peopleat all tiinesuntilthe Day
of Judgement.
Thirdly, showinggratitudefor Allah'smercyin revealing theseBooks.
I'irtues of Beliefin Messengers:
finitly. apprc'ciatingAllah's mercyand carefor His proplefor sending
themthose great mcssengers to guidethemto the straightPath'
Secondll,thankingAllah for thisgreatfavour.
Thirdly. lovingand respectingthe Prophetsand praisingthem in what
theydeserve becausetheyare Atlah'smessengersand His choiceamong

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His people.They worshippedAllah accordingto the bestof their.ability,
conveyedHis message to mankind,gavesincereadviseto themand bore
patientlywhateverhurt they received.
Virtuesof Belief in the Day of Judgement:
Fintly, endeavorto obeyAllah to gettherewardof that day and to avoid
His disobediencefor fear of His punishment.
Secondly,a consolationfor the believerfor whateverhemissesof worldly
enjoymentby what he hopesto gain of blessingsand reward of the
Hereafter.
Virlues of Belief in Fate end Divine l)ecree:
Firstly, dependence
on Allah when doing any action becauseboth the
causeand effectare the resultof Allah's decree.
Secondly,easeof mind and comfort because whenthe individualknows
that everythingis by Allah's decreeand'that mishapsare going to take
placeanyway,his soul will be at easeand his heartwill be satisfiedwith
Allah's decree.No one has more comforiablelife, worry-freesoul, and
strongerconfidencethan a believerin Fate.
Thlrdly, freedomfrom arrogancewhena goalis achievedbecause this is a
blessingfrom Allah throughwhat He decreedof the causesof good and
success.The individualshouldthank Allah for that and freehimselffrom
arrogance.
}'ourthly, freedomfrom worry and boredomin caseof failureor mishap
becausethat is by Allah's decreewho possesses the Heavensand the
Earth. Sincethat is going to happenanywa)',the individual shouldbe
patientand hope for the rewardfrom Allah.
Allah poins to the last two virtuesby the following verse:
"No misfortunecanhappenon earthor in yourselves but is recorded
in a decreebeforeWe bring it into existence, that is reallyeasyfor Allah;
that you may not grievefor what escapes you, nor rejoicein what has
cometo you..Allah doesnot love any vaingloriousboaster." (57:22-3)
We prayto Allah, the Exalted,lo rewardus I'orthisbeliel',to realize
to keepus on the Right Path to
for us its fruits, to increaseour blessings,
which He hasguidedus, and to bestowon us a blessingfrom Him, He is
indeedthe Giver. Praiseand gratitudebe to Allah, the Lord of the
Worlds and peaceand blessingsbe on the Prophet Muhammad, his
family, his Companions,and thosewho rightly follow them.

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