Questions
- What does the term Aqeedah mean in Islam?
- What is Tawheed?
- What are the three categories of Tawheed?
- What is Shirk and why is it considered a major sin?
- What are the six pillars of Iman (faith)?
- What does belief in Qadar (divine decree) entail?
- Who are the angels and what is their role in Islam?
- What is meant by belief in the unseen (al-Ghayb)?
- Why is belief in the Day of Judgment essential in Islam?
- What is the significance of believing in the Prophets?
Answers
- Aqeedah refers to the Islamic creed or set of core beliefs that a Muslim holds regarding faith, particularly in Allah, His attributes, and other fundamentals of Iman.
- Tawheed is the belief in the absolute oneness and uniqueness of Allah in His Lordship, Worship, and Names & Attributes.
- The three categories of Tawheed are:
- Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah (Oneness of Lordship)
- Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah (Oneness of Worship)
- Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (Oneness in Names and Attributes)
- Shirk is associating partners with Allah in any way. It is considered the gravest sin because it violates the essence of Tawheed. Allah does not forgive Shirk if one dies without repenting from it.
- The six pillars of Iman are:
- Belief in Allah
- Belief in the Angels
- Belief in the Books
- Belief in the Prophets
- Belief in the Last Day
- Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar), both good and bad
- Belief in Qadar means believing that Allah has full knowledge and control over everything that happens, and that everything occurs according to His divine will and wisdom.
- Angels are created beings made of light. They obey Allah completely, have no free will, and carry out specific duties (e.g., recording deeds, delivering revelation, etc.).
- Belief in the unseen (al-Ghayb) includes believing in things not visible to us such as angels, Jannah (Paradise), Jahannam (Hellfire), the grave, and Allah’s attributes — all based on authentic sources.
- Belief in the Day of Judgment is essential as it instills accountability. Every soul will be judged and rewarded or punished based on their deeds.
- Believing in the Prophets means accepting that Allah sent messengers to guide humanity, the last of whom is Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. They conveyed Allah’s message truthfully and are to be obeyed and respected.