What is Islamic aqidah? Islamic Aqidah, also known as Islamic creed or belief, refers to the set of fundamental beliefs and doctrines that are central to Islam. Aqidah is derived from the Arabic word “aqd,” which means “to bind” or “to hold firmly.” Therefore, Aqidah represents the core tenets that Muslims are expected to firmly hold and believe in. These beliefs form the foundation of Islamic theology and guide the understanding of the nature of God (Allah), the universe, and the relationship between God and human beings.
The key elements of Islamic Aqidah include:
Belief in Allah (God):
Monotheism is a central tenet of Islam. Muslims believe in the oneness of Allah, that there is no god but Allah, and that Allah is eternal, self-sufficient, and possesses attributes such as mercy, knowledge, and power.
Belief in Angels:
Muslims believe in the existence of angels as spiritual beings created by Allah to carry out specific tasks. Some well-known angels include Jibril (Gabriel), who delivered revelations to prophets, and Mika’il (Michael), who is responsible for providing sustenance.
Belief in Divine Books:
Muslims believe in the divine books revealed by Allah to various prophets, including the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, and the Quran. The Holy Quran is considered as the final and complete revelation.
Belief in Prophets:
Muslims believe in the prophethood and messenger ship of individuals chosen by Allah to convey His guidance to humanity. This includes well-known prophets such as Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and the final prophet, Muhammad.
Belief in the Day of Judgment:
Muslims believe in the afterlife and the Day of Judgment when all individuals will be resurrected and held accountable for their deeds. Depending on their actions, individuals will either be rewarded with paradise or punished in hell.
Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar):
Muslims believe in Allah’s predestination and divine will. This includes the concept that everything that happens, whether good or bad, occurs by the will of Allah.
Islamic Aqidah serves as a unifying framework for Muslims, providing a common set of beliefs that transcend cultural and ethnic differences. It is articulated through statements of creed, such as the Shahada (the declaration of faith) and is often studied and discussed in Islamic theology and jurisprudence. Different Islamic scholars and schools of thought may have nuanced interpretations of certain aspects of Aqidah, but the core beliefs are generally shared across the Muslim community.
