Creed Of Islam (Aqeeda)

Edited by Paul Salahuddin Armstrong

To think according to principle, to possess true faith, to believe and accept the teachings of Islam is known as the Creed Of Islam or “Aqeeda”. This is understood as one’s intention, concept and path one follows. We should understand that the basis of one’s action is one’s faith (Iman) and that the basis of one’s faith is one’s creed. If one’s creed is corrupt, then one’s faith is affected, and if one’s faith is defective, then what of one’s deeds (Amal)? In other words, our creed is the soul, our faith is the body and our deeds are the dressing.

To have good and strong faith, one must have the right creed. It is for this reason that we have quoted some incorrect beliefs together with the traditional Islamic understanding, so that we may, after reading about them, check our own beliefs and correct any errors therein. Hence, we may recognise the true Islam and hold firmly to the right creed. A false creed naturally leads to disbelief (Kufr), whereas the right creed will strengthen us.

False Beliefs Of The Founders Of Deviant Sects

The following incorrect beliefs, which we have quoted below are quotations from individuals who possessed such beliefs and by quoting them here, we have no intention of disbelief.

FALSE BELIEF 1: “Allah can speak lies”. (“Barahine Qaatia” by Khaleel Ambetwi; “Yakrozi” by Ismaeel Dehlwi; “Fatawa Rasheedia” by Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi).

PROPER BELIEF 1: To Lie is a defect which is not worthy of the nature of Almighty God and is totally impossible. Our Lord is free from all shortages and defects.

FALSE BELIEF 2: To say that Allah is free from place, space, direction and time, etc. is to be misled. (“Izaahul Haq” by Ismaeel Dehlwi)

PROPER BELIEF 2: Time and space have been created and will be eventually destroyed. Almighty Allah is Qadeem (Always Is and Always Will Be). If one believes God to be in a fixed place and in a fixed time zone, then they are suggesting that God is a creation and can be destroyed, whereas it is well known that, that which is non-Eternal and can be destroyed can never be Allah. God, Most High is Eternal and anything that is non-Eternal cannot be God. It is, thus, necessary to accept God Almighty to be free from time and place.

FALSE BELIEF 3: The Prophet (PBUH) had died and is mixed in the sand. (“Taqweeyat-ul Imaan” by Ismaeel Dehlwi)

PROPER BELIEF 3: It has been stated in a narration of The Prophet (Hadith) : “Verily, Almighty Allah has made it forbidden upon the earth to eat the bodies of the the prophets (Ambiya)“. It has also been stated that the prophets are alive and are blessed with Sustenance from God Almighty.

FALSE BELIEF 4: Every creation, no matter how big or small, is equivalent to a cobbler before Allah. (“Taqweeyat-ul Imaan” by Ismaeel Dehlwi)

PROPER BELIEF 4: The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the most beloved prophet of God Almighty. God, Most Kind took oath even on the city of the Prophet (PBUH). He is the greatest of the creations of God. His every word is accepted in the Court of God. He is a perfection in the Attributes of Almighty God and He has not created any unique being besides our beloved Muhammad (PBUH).

FALSE BELIEF 5: Prophets are not totally free from lies. To say that it is not possible for prophets to lie or to say that they are totally sinless is false. (“Tasfiyatul Aqaa’id” by Qasim Nanothwi)

PROPER BELIEF 5: Prophets and Angels are sinless. It is impossible for them to commit sin. Committing a sin is not a quality of the prophets. The prophets are free from all small and big sins and all defects even before and after their prophethood.

FALSE BELIEF 6: The community (Ummah) sometimes supercede the prophets in good deeds. (“Tahzeerun Naas” by Qasim Nanotwi)

PROPER BELIEF 6: A disbeliever can never be equal to a Muslim. An ordinary Muslim is not equal to a practising Muslim. A practising Muslim can never be equal to a non-scholar, who is not equal to a scholar. A scholar is never equal to a saint (Wali), a saint can never be equal to a Taba‘ at-Tabi‘i (a contemporary of the Tabi‘i). A Taba‘ at-Tabi‘i can never be equal to a Tabi‘i (a contemporary of the Sahaba). A Tabi‘i can never be equal to a Sahaba (companion of The Prophet). A Sahaba can never be equal to the Khulafa-e-Arbaa (Rightly Guided Caliph). None from the Khulafa-e-Arbaa can be equal to Abu Bakr Siddique. He in turn can never be equal to a prophet. No prophet can be equal in any way to the King of Prophets, Muhammad Mustapha (PBUH). How then can a community of believers supersede Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in good deeds?

FALSE BELIEF 7: To think of an ox and donkey in Salaah (daily prayers) is permissible, but to think of the Prophet (PBUH) in Salaah is idolatry (shirk). (“Seerate Mustaqeem” by Ismaeel Dehlwi)

PROPER BELIEF 7: For a Muslim to perform any act of worship accepting that it is a noble action of The Prophet (PBUH) is the true sense of worship. If one reads their daily prayers (Salaah/Namaaz) thinking of it as the way (Sunnah) of The Prophet (PBUH), then, without doubt, one will think of the Prophet (PBUH). This belief creates in the mind of the performer the thought of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Not only is the thought of the Prophet in prayer permissible, it is also the demand of religious law (Shari’ah) that one must remember the Holy Prophet (PBUH) at the time of Tashahud (kneeling in the prayer). According to the Jurists it is strongly urged (Waajib) to believe that the Prophet (PBUH) is observing you and that he is aware of your actions.

FALSE BELIEF 8: Any person who says The Prophet to be Present (Haazir) and Witnessing (Naazir) is an infidel (Kafir). (“Jawaahirul Quraan” by Ghulaamullah Khan)

PROPER BELIEF 8: Until and unless we accept The Prophet (PBUH) as being present and witnessing, the concept of prophethood (Risaalat) will be incomplete. Our Prophet (PBUH) is a Witness (Shaahid), Spreader of Good News (Mubashir) and a Warner (Nazeer).

FALSE BELIEF 9: The Messenger Of God (PBUH) is our elder brother and we are his younger brothers. (“Taqweeyatul Imaan” by Ismaeel Dehlwi)

PROPER BELIEF 9: The Holy Qur’an has commanded us that The Prophet (PBUH) cannot be regarded as the father of anyone of you. How then can he be regarded as the elder brother? Then, to call him elder brother is disrespectful and against the Qur’anic command. We are the Community of Believers, he is our Prophet. We are sinners, he is sinless and most pure. We are believers, he is the source of our faith. The difference here is enormous. It must be understood, that if the husband takes his wife as his mother, then his marriage will be nullified. Likewise, if one takes The Prophet (PBUH) as the elder brother, then one’s faith will be nullified.

FALSE BELIEF 10: To respect the Prophet deeply is disbelief. (“Ad Durrun Nadheed” by Qazi Shaukani)

PROPER BELIEF 10: The respect and reverence of our Beloved Prophet (PBUH) is not only part of our faith, it is an obligation upon every Muslim. Unless a person does not love the Prophet (PBUH) more than anyone and anything in the world, his faith will not be perfected. The love of the Prophet (PBUH) is the first condition of faith.

FALSE BELIEF 11: The grave of the Prophet (PBUH) is an idol and to respect it is disbelief and idolatry. (“Ad Durrun Nadheed” by Qazi Shaukani)

PROPER BELIEF 11: Madinah is more exalted than Makkah; the Roza-e-Anwar more than the Kaaba; and the actual Qabr-e-Anwar is even more exalted than heaven. The Qabr-e-Anwar is a sign from amongst the signs of Allah and to respect it is a sign of faith and piety.

FALSE BELIEF 12: Any person who says, “As Salaatu Was Salaamu Alaika Ya Rasoolallah” (Salutations and Peace be upon you, O Messenger of God!), is a innovator and sinner. (“Akhbaar Ahle Hadith Amritsar”)

PROPER BELIEF 12: Bukhari and Muslim narrate on the authority of Uthman bin Haneef that a Sahabi who was blind by birth was once taught a special prayer (dua) by the Holy Prophet (PBUH), which he was to recite after his daily prayers. The prayer is as follows: “O Allah, I ask from you, and turn towards you through the intercession (Wasila) of Your Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who is indeed a prophet of mercy. O Muhammad (PBUH) with your intercession, I turn towards Allah for my need so that it may be bestowed. O Allah, accept the Prophet’s intercession for me”.

To say “Ya Nabi” and call to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and to send salutations upon him, is the way (Sunnah) of God Almighty, the angels, the prophets and the companions of the Prophet (PBUH). God has commanded us to send salutations upon The Prophet (PBUH) in abundance. To send Durood (blessings on the Prophet) at least once in one’s life is essential (Fard) and in the daily prayers it is strongly urged (Waajib). It is also strongly urged to send salutations at other times, especially the fist time the name of the Prophet is mentioned. Even if the name is mentioned continuously, then to send salutations is Sunnah.

FALSE BELIEF 13: To ask assistance from the Prophet (PBUH) is the work of devils (Shaitaan) and idolatry. (“Kashfush Shubhaat” by Abdul Wahab Najdi; “Taqweeyatul Imaan” by Ismaeel Dehlwi)

PROPER BELIEF 13: “Ya Rasoolallahi Unzur Haalana, Ya Habeeballahi Isma Qaalana, Innani fir Bahri Hammim Mughriqun, Khuz Yaddi Sahhil lanaa Ishkaalana”, has been the invocation (Wazeefa) of the great predecessors and is accepted as a means of asking from the Prophet (PBUH). To seek assistance from the Prophet (PBUH) and seek the intercession of prophets and pious people is permissible.

FALSE BELIEF 14: To use the prophets, saints and angels as a means of intercession (Wasila). (“Tohfa-e-Wahaabiya” by Ismaeel Dehlwi)

PROPER BELIEF 14: We did not enter this world without means, and we will not leave this world without means. With the exception of the verse of the Qur’an commanding mediation, the following verses of Sheikh Bouseeri and Sheikh Saadi are always in the prayers of Muslims: “Ya Rabbi bil Mustapha Baligh Maqasidana, Waghfirlana Ma Madaa Ya Waasi al Karami”, and “Ilahi bahaqe bani Fathima, ke Barqaul Imaan Qunni Khatima, Agar Daawatam rad Kunni War Qabool, Manno Dast Damaane Aale Rasool”.

FALSE BELIEF 15: Anyone who accepts the Prophet (PBUH) to be an intercessor for him on the Day of Judgement, is an idolater equal to Abu Jahl. (“Taqweeyatul Imaan”)

PROPER BELIEF 15: When the intercession of a Hafizul Qur’an ^[1], and of a scholar of good deeds is accepted, according to a narration of the Prophet (PBUH), then why not that of the Messenger of God (PBUH)? On the Day of Judgement, the doors of intercession will be opened by none other than the Prophet (PBUH). It is also very rewarding to recite Durood-e-Taaj.

FALSE BELIEF 16: “Mercy Unto All The Worlds” “Rahmatul Lil Alameen” is not a special title of the Prophet (PBUH), but the community are also “Mercy Unto All The Worlds”. (“Fatawa Rasheedia”)

PROPER BELIEF 16: “Mercy Unto All The Worlds” is the unique quality of The Muhammad (PBUH) as stated in the Holy Qur’an.

FALSE BELIEF 17: To say that if God and His Prophet wills, then only will a certain thing happen, is idolatry.

PROPER BELIEF 17: That which the Messenger of God (PBUH) wants, is what God wills. Almighty God will not will anything without the pleasure of the Prophet (PBUH).

FALSE BELIEF 18: Those persons whose names are “Muhammad” or “Ali” have no control over anything. (“Taqweeyatul Imaan”)

PROPER BELIEF 18: Almighty God has blessed the Prophet (PBUH) with the keys to the treasures of both the worlds and Ali’s name is the means of assistance in problems, why then can they not have any control?

FALSE BELIEF 19: To keep the names: Rasool Baksh, Nabi Baksh, Abdun Nabi, Abdul Mustapha, Abdur Rasool, Abdul Ali, Ghulam Nabi, Ghulam Mustapha, Ghulam Nabi, Ghulam Husain, Ghulam Muhiyyudeen and Ghulam Mu’eenudeen, or to like such names, is Shirk. (“Taqweeyatul Imaan”)

PROPER BELIEF 19: All these names are allowed and are very exalted and blessed names.

FALSE BELIEF 20: The knowledge of the Prophet is like children and animals. The knowledge of devils (Shaitaan) is more than the Prophet. To say that the Prophet possessed ‘Ilm-e-Ghayb or Knowledge of the Unseen, is idolatry. (“Hifzul Imaan” by Ashraf Ali Thanwi; “Barahine Qaatia”; “Fatawa Rasheedia”)

PROPER BELIEF 20: The meaning of the word “Nabi” (prophet) alone is “one who knows and shows the Unseen”. What position does the knowledge of an ordinary person hold in front of that of the Prophet (PBUH)? It is even less than a drop in front of an ocean or a grain of dust compared to all the sand in the world. The Prophet (PBUH) has been blessed with great knowledge by Almighty God.

FALSE BELIEF 21: If Allah wills, then he may create a million Muhammads. (“Taqweeyatul Imaan”) A Prophet can even come after Muhammad (PBUH). (“Tahzeerun Naas”)

PROPER BELIEF 21: The doors of Prophethood have been sealed. Muhammad (PBUH) is the Seal of the prophets. The Prophet also said that no prophet shall come after him. Any person who claims prophethood after Muhammad (PBUH) is a liar, antichrist and devil.

FALSE BELIEF 22: To commemorate the Milad is like commemorating the function of the Hindu deity. (“Baharine Qaatia” by Khaleel Ambethwi)

PROPER BELIEF 22: Milad / Mawlid, is the birthday of The Holy Prophet (PBUH). Celebrating Mawlid is a means of gaining blessings and closeness to Almighty God. It is the practice of all the great predecessors. Many sources of religious law (Shari’ah) are available to prove it’s authencity.

FALSE BELIEF 23: The illusion of illusionists are greater than the Miracles of Prophets. (“Mansab-e-Imaamat”)

PROPER BELIEF 23: The Miracles of Prophets are to show proof of their Prophethood and they are from God, whereas the illusions of magicians are tricks.

FALSE BELIEF 24: Anyone who says the Sahaba to be infidels (Kafirs) is not out of the Sunnah Jamaat. (“Fatawa Rasheedia”)

PROPER BELIEF 24: By one calling an ordinary Muslim an infidel, he himself becomes an infidel. How then can those who call the Sahaba infidels not be infidels?

FALSE BELIEF 25: To call oneself “Qaderi”, “Chishti”, “Naqshabandi”, etc. is innovation (bidat) and words of disbelief (kufr). (“Tazkeerul Ikhwaan”)

PROPER BELIEF 25: To call oneself by these titles is totally allowed and is a means of recognition of ones spiritual order. Examples of these are: Siddiqi, Alawi, Uthmaani, Farooqi, Hanafi, Shafa’i, etc.

FALSE BELIEF 26: To put lights, carpets, to give water and food, or arrange Wudhu water at the shrines of saints is idolatry.

PROPER BELIEF 26: If carrying out all the above mentioned practices at other places is permissible, then it should be a means of blessing to do so at the shrine of a saint where there is a gathering of Muslims.

FALSE BELIEF 27: To eat and drink the Tabarukaat (blessed food) of the Saints causes the heart to die (spiritually). (“Fatawa Rasheedia”)

PROPER BELIEF 27: Eating the blessed food of the saints brightens the heart and one’s life and is a means of great blessing.

FALSE BELIEF 28: To call the Prophet “Shafi’ul Muznibeen”, to recite Khatam, to imagine the blessed face and the Tomb of The Messenger Of God (PBUH), to think that he has authority – all these qualities, even with the granting of God, Most High – is all idolatry, so much like the idolatry of Abu Jahl. (Kitaabut-Tauheed by Ibne Abdul Wahab Najdi)

PROPER BELIEF 28: According to authentic sources of Islamic Shari’ah, to believe in The Prophet’s (PBUH) intercession, mercy, authority, help, and to imagine his blessed face and Tomb with respect, are regarded as a great and rewarding actions. To recite Khatam Shareef, the traditional prayers (duas) and meditations (zikr) of the Sufis, is also permissible and rewarding as well. A person who denies this, his belief is like Abu Jahl.

Note: To believe the above mentioned incorrect beliefs, especially to make out such beliefs are “Islamic” leads a person to hypocrisy and hypocrisy is a disease of the heart which takes a person out of Islam. Anyone who falsely claims to be the true Mahdi is misguided and if not insane, most likely corrupt. Any person who says that God can lie, that the Prophet’s (PBUH) knowledge are like those of animals, that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is not the Final Messenger, that swearing about the Sahaba does not make one a criminal, that the Prophet’s knowledge is less than devil, etc., holds beliefs that totally contradict the teachings of Islam.

If we know someone holds such beliefs, it’s very inadvisable to perform Salah behind them, as we cannot be sure what they’re reading is the Salah as we understand it. Thus, of what benefit would it be to read behind them? Although we may associate with anyone, we should be aware that if people with very strange beliefs or bad habits are influencing us, it may be detrimental to our own faith and general well-being.

^[1] Hafizul Qur’an: Someone who has committed to memory the whole of the Holy Qur’an.

PBUH = Peace be upon him.

Source: www.nooremadinah.net