The Aqeedah of Ahlis-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah

Author : Shaykh Salih al-Uthaimeen
Source : Aqeedah Ahlis-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah(1)
Translated by: Kashif bin Hazoor Khan As Salafi & Abu Ahmad Muhammad Rather

Introduction

Introduction by the esteemed Shaykh Abdullah ibn Baaz (rh).

On the topic of Aqeedah, I came to know about a beneficial and comprehensive book, which is written by my esteemed brother, Shaykh Salih ibn Uthaimeen. I heard the book from its beginning till its end, and I found the topics in this book such as the rulings concerning Tawheed of Allah, His Names and Attributes, Angels, Books of Allah, Messengers, Day of Judgment and the Qadr, its good and its bad, to be in agreement with the beliefs of Ahlis-Sunnah.

The writer by beautifully collecting the subjects in this book has made it beneficial, and he has also included those important points of Aqeedah that every student of Knowledge, rather every Muslim, is in need of knowing, which are not found in other writings about Aqeedah.

May Allah, the Most High, reward him with good and increase him in knowledge and guidance, and may He make this book and his other writings beneficial. And I pray to Allah that He includes the respected author, us and the Muslims as a whole, amongst those who guide to the way of truth and those who He has guided, who with knowledge take upon themselves the task of dawah to Allah. Verily He is the All Hearing and Close


Introduction by the noble Shaykh Salih al-Uthaimeen (rh).

All praise is due to Allah and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). As for what follows:

Allah has sent the messenger, Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), with guidance and the true religion so that he may be a mercy for mankind, an example for all those who do good and so that he may prove to be a proof and an evidence upon the people.

Allah has made clear through Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and the Book and Guidance which were revealed upon him, all those things which contain the good for the people and the correction of the affairs of the religion and the worldly life so that their beliefs and actions are corrected and they gain high standards of conduct and character.

So then the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) left his Ummah upon a bright and brilliant Shar’iah that which has a night, which is bright like its day. Only the one who is destroyed opposes it.

Only those people have taken this path who have chosen the obedience of Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and they are the best of mankind, the companions of the Prophet radiyallaahuAnhum and the taabi’een and those who came after them who chose to follow their way with ihsaan and sincerity. So they established the shar’iah and they acted upon the Sunnah of Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and they tried to establish their aqeedah and worship and characteristics and conduct remained steadfast upon that. And hence, they became the jamaa’ah which fulfilled the statement of the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam),”There will always be a group from my ummah which will be steadfast upon the truth, and which will receive the approval of Allah, and those who will oppose them cannot harm them until the judgment of Allah comes and they will still be upon that.”

And all praise is due to Allah, that we are also walking in their footsteps and in accordance with the Book and the Sunnah we are gaining guidance from their conditions and lives. And since Allah has blessed us with this, we say that every Muslim should also follow the same path, and we pray to Allah with humility that He grant us and all the Muslims to be steadfast and established upon the true word in this life and the next, and that He opens the doors of His Mercy and Blessings for us. Without a doubt, he is bestows without limit.

Because of the importance of this subject and the different opinions of the people concerning it, I sensed the need to compile in a short treatise the Aqeedah of Ahlis-Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah which includes the following: Allah, the Most High, His Angels, His Books, His Prophets, The Last Day and to believe in the Qadr (decree), its good and its bad is from Allah.
And Lastly, I pray to Allah that He makes this book solely for His sake and to be in accordance with His pleasure and happiness, and that He makes it beneficial for his Slaves.
Ameen, O' Lord of the Worlds.

OurAqeedah
Our Aqeedah is to believe in Allah, His Angles, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and we believe in Qadr (Pre Decree), the good and the bad of it, and that it is from Allah. We believe in the Ruboobiyyah of Allah, and that is to believe that Allah is the sustainer, the creator and the owner of all things and He is the one who runs the affairs. We believe in His Uloohiyyah, and that is that He is the only One worthy of all worship and all that which is worshipped other than him is falsehood. We also believe in his Asmaa was Sifaat (Names and Attributes), and that is to believe that His beautiful names and perfect attributes are specific only to Him. We also believe in the Tawheed of all these aspects, and that is to believe that He has no partner in any of them.

Allah the most High says:

"Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, so worship Him (Alone) and be constant and patient in His worship. Do you know of any who is similar to Him? (of course none is similar or coequal or comparable to Him, and He has none as partner with Him). [There is nothing like unto Him and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer]. Suratul Maryam 19:65

Beautiful Names of Allah

We believe that:

"Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter . And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. " Sutatul Baqarah 2:255

And we believe that:

"He is Allah the one that none has the right to be worshipped but He, the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." Suratul Hashr 59:24-24

And webelieve that the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth belong only to Allah, and the proof is contained in the following verses

"To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills. Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is the All-Knower and is Able to do all things." Suratush-Shura 42:49-50)

And we believe that following are His, the Most High’s, attributes.

"The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you mates from yourselves, and for the cattle (also) mates. By this means He creates you (in the wombs). There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth, He enlarges provision for whom He wills, and straitens (it for whom He wills). Verily! He is the All-Knower of everything." Suratush-Shura 42:11-12

And we believe that,

"And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (in the uterous, grave, etc.). all is in a Clear Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz - the Book of Decrees with Allah)." Suratul Hud 11:6

We believe that,

"And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record." Suratul-An'am 6:59

We believe that,

"Verily, Allah! With Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily, Allah is AllKnower, AllAware (of things)." Suratul Luqman 31:34

The belief in the attributes of Speech and knowledge of Allah

We believe that Allah speaks whenever, whatever and however it pleases Him. As He says:

"And Messengers We have mentioned to you before, and Messengers We have not mentioned to you, - and to Musa (Moses) Allah spoke directly." Suratun-Nisa 4:164

"And when Musa (Moses) came at the time and place appointed by Us, and his Lord spoke to him, he said: "O my Lord! Show me (Yourself), that I may look upon You." Allah said: "You cannot see Me, but look upon the mountain if it stands still in its place then you shall see Me." So when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He made it collapse to dust, and Musa (Moses) fell down unconscious. Then when he recovered his senses he said: "Glory be to You, I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers."" Suratul-A'raf 7:143

And He says:

"And We called him from the right side of the Mount, and made him draw near to Us for a talk with him [Musa (Moses)]" Surah Maryam 19:52

And we also believe that Allah is such that,

"Say (O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to mankind). "If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid."" Suratul-Kahf 18:109

And He also says:

"And if all the trees on the earth were pens and the sea (were ink wherewith to write), with seven seas behind it to add to its (supply), yet the Words of Allah would not be exhausted. Verily, Allah is AllMighty, AllWise." Surah Luqman 31:27

And our Aqeedah also includes that the truthfulness of matters, the justice in all rulings and the superiority of the manner of speech can only be found in the speech of Allah. As Allah says:

"And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can change His Words. And He is the AllHearer, the AllKnower." Suratul-An'am 6:115

And,

"And who is truer in statement than Allah?" Suratun-Nisa 4:87

And we believe that the noble Qur’an without a doubt is the speech of Allah, and indeed He gave it to Jibreel and then he took it and descended to the Messenger(sallallahu alaihi wasallam) . And Allah says:

"Say (O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)) Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibreel] has brought it (the Qur'an) down from your Lord with truth." Suratun-Nahl 16:102

And He said:

"And truly, this (the Qur'an) is a revelation from the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists), Which the trustworthy Ruh [Jibreel] has brought down; Upon your heart (O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)) that you may be (one) of the warners, In the plain Arabic language." Suratush-Shu'ara 26:192-195

The belief in the attributes of highness and ascension of Allah

We believe that Allah in His majesty is high above his slaves. And the proof for this is the following saying of Allah:

"And He is the Most High, the Most Great." Suratul Baqarah 2:255

And He says:

"And He is the Irresistible, above His slaves, and He is the All Wise, Well Acquainted with all things." Suratul-An'am 6:18

And we also believe that:

"Surely, your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then Istawaa (rose over) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty), disposing the affair of all things." Surah Yunus 10:3

And what is meant by that istawaa (to rise above) the throne is that He himself rose over the throne in a manner that befits His majesty, and no one other than Him knows how His istawaa (ascension).

And we also believe that while He is above the throne He is well acquainted with all the affairs of His slaves, He hears their speech, He sees their actions and He runs their affairs. He provides the needy, He helps who has lost all, He gives kingship to whom He wills and He takes it away from whom He wills. Whomsoever He desires, He gives honor and whomsoever He desires, He humiliates. In His hands are all the things of goodness and He has authority over all.

Verily the One who has these attributes, He truly with His knowledge and authority is with His creation every moment, even though He actually is high above His throne.

Allah says:

"There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." Suratush-Shura 42:11

The kufr in the belief that Allah resides in the world

We do not believe as the Jahmiyyah and other such deviant sects that Allah resides on this earth along with his creation, and we consider such a person, who holds such belief, a kafir or a deviant.
This is because that they have attributed to Allah such deficiencies and faults that do not befit Him, High above is He from all this.

The belief in descending of Allah to lowest Heaven

We also believe in that which we were informed by the messenger of Allah (saw), and that is that Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night and says “who is there calling Me so that I may answer him, who is there asking Me so that I may grant him, who is there asking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him.”

We also believe that on the day of Judgement Allah will come to judge between His slaves, as He says:

"Nay! When the earth is ground to powder, And your Lord comes with the angels in rows, And Hell will be brought near that Day. On that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance (then) avail him?" Suratul-Fajr 89:21-23

Our belief is that Allah “He does what He intends (or wills).” Suratul-Buruj 85:16

The categories of the will (intention) of Allah

We also believe that the will of Allah is divided into two categories:

 Iraadah Qawneeyah : That which it is necessary to happen but Allah may not be pleased with it. And it is in accordance with the will of Allah and the proof is His saying: "If Allah had willed, succeeding generations would not have fought against each other, after clear Verses of Allah had come to them, but they differed - some of them believed and others disbelieved. If Allah had willed, they would not have fought against one another, but Allah does what He likes." Suratul-Baqarah 2:253 And He says: "if Allah's Will is to keep you astray. He is your Lord! and to Him you shall return." Surah Hud 11:34

 Iraadah Shar’iyaah : The second type of the will of Allah is Iraadah Shar’iyaah , which need not necessarily happen but it is pleasing to Allah. The example of this kind is the saying of Allah: "Allah wishes to accept your repentance .." Suratun-Nisa 4:27

Allah’s will ( both types ) is established upon hikmah (wisdom)

We also believe that the will of Allah, be it Qawnee or Shar’iee, follows the wisdom of Allah. So that if Allah wills to create something or He requriers a form of worship from his creation there is always some wisdom in it, and in accordance to His wisdom it comes into existence. Even if our aql (intelligence) may not understand the wisdom behind it. As Allah says :

"Is not Allâh the Best of judges?" Suratut-Tin 95:8

"And who is better in judgement than Allâh for a people who have firm Faith." Suratul-Ma'idah 5:50

Allah’s attributes of Love, Pleasure, Dissatisfaction and Anger

We belive that Allah’s loves His awliyaa (friends) and they love Him and believe in Him. Allah says:

"Say (O Muhammad SAW to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you… " Surah Aali Imran 3:31

And He said:

"Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him;" Suratul-Ma'idah 5:54

And:

"And Allah loves As-Saabirin (the patient ones)" Surah Aali Imran 3:146

And He says:

"... and be equitable. Verily! Allâh loves those who are equitable." Suratul-Hujurat 49:9

and He says:

"..and do good. Truly, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers)." Suratul-Baqarah 2:195

and He says:

"If you disbelieve, then verily, Allâh is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you. Suratuz-Zumar 39:7

And He says:

"but Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home)."" Suratut-Tawbah 9:46

And we also believe that Allah is happy and pleased with those who believe in Him and do righteous actions. He says:

"Pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord." Suratul-Baiyinah 98:8

And we belive that Allah is severely angry with the kuffaar and those who are deserving of this anger. He says:

"And that He may punish the Munaafiqun (hypocrites), men and women, and also the Mushrikun(those who associate with Allah in worship) men and women, who think evil thoughts about Allah, for them is a disgraceful torment, and the anger of Allah is upon them…" Suratul-Fath 48:6

And He says:

"..but such as open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a great torment." Suratun-Nahl 16:106

Some attribute of Allah’s dhaat (self)

And we also believe that Allah has a face, that befits His Highness and Majesty.

"And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will abide forever." Suratur-Rahman 55:27

And we also believe that Allah has hands that are generous and which befit His Greatness. As He says:

"Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched. He spends (of His Bounty) as He wills." Suratul-Ma'idah 5:64

and He says:

"They made not a just estimate of Allah such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified is He, and High is He above all that they associate as partners with Him!" Suratuz-Zumar 39:67

And we believe that Allah has real eyes and the proof is this saying of Allah,

"And construct the ship under Our Eyes and with Our Inspiration .." Surah Hud 11:37

And the messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said : "His veil is noor(light), and if he removes it , the rays from His face will burn and be destroyed everything in the creation that His sight reaches." Muslim, kitaab ul Imaan hadeeth 293

Ahlus Sunnah are united upon the fact that Allah has two eyes, which is based on the statement of the prohet of Allah(saw) in which he said concerning the Dajjal, "verily he (the dajjal) is one eyed and your Lord is not one eyed." Saheeh al Bukhari , kitaabal Fitan, hadeeth 7127

And we believe that His greatness is such as He says :

"No vision can grasp Him, but His Grasp is over all vision. He is the Most Subtle and Courteous, WellAcquainted with all things." Suratul-An'am 6:103

The believers will see their Lord

We believe that the believers will see their Lord with their eyes.

"Some faces that Day shall be Naadirah (shining and radiant). Looking at their Lord (Allah);" Suratul-Qiyamah 75: 22-23

It is impossible for anything to be like Allah

We believe that because of Allah’s great and complete attributes nothing in the creation can be like Him, as He says:

"There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." Suratush-Shura 42:11

Allah is free from sleep, drowsiness, incapability and tiredness

We believe that Allah because of eternal life and endless existence is such that:

"Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him." Al-Baqarah 2:255

And we believe that Allah does not wrong anyone because of His complete justice and fairness. And because of His complete vision He has all knowledge of actions and conditions of His slaves.
And we believe that because Allah has all knowledge and is capable of all things, nothing in the heavens and the earth can compel Him.

And He says:

"Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, "Be!" and it is! Surah Ya-Sin 36:82

And because of the completeness of His power, He does not get tired nor does He become incapable or frustrated.

"And indeed We created the heavens and the earth and all between them in six Days and nothing of fatigue touched Us." Surah Qaf 50:38

The establishment of Allah’s attributes without Kayf (Howness) and Tamtheel ( comparison) .

We believe in all of these beautiful names and glorious attributes of Allah that He himself or His messenger (saw) have established for Him, but we do not fall into the two errors of takyeef and tamtheel.

Tamtheel : It is that, one says by his tongue or in his heart that the attribute of Allah is like an attribute of His creation.

Takyeef : It is that, one says by his by his tongue or in his heart that the atrribute of Allah is like such and such.[3]

And we negate all those things that Allah Himself or His messenger has negated for Him. And we believe that this negation affirms the completeness of the opposite for Allah.

To remain silent on that which Allah and His Messenger (saw) remained silent upon.

We choose silence on everything which Allah and His Messenger (saw) have chosen to remain silent upon.

It is mandatory to take this path because…

We believe that it is an obligation and it is mandatory to take this path because Allah has made clear these attributes, which He Himself has established or negated for Himself, and He is the most knowledgeable about Himself and He has the best of speech. And His slaves cannot comprehend Him.

And that which the Messenger of Allah (saw) has affirmed or negated for Allah, is such that he (saw) himself has informed us of it and he was most knowledgeable about his Lord. And he was the best advisor to the creation, the most truthful and most eloquent in speech.

The beauty of the clarification of Allah and His messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)

Allah and His messenger’s (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) knowledge and truthfulness and clarification are the most complete and best. Hence there should be no excuse to reject it and there should be no hesitation to accept it.

Names and Attributes of Allah with the Pious Predecessors
Whatever we mentioned[2]about the attributes of Allah, the Most High, abridged or detailed, affirmative or in negation, we presented it in the light of the Book and the Sunnah, and we followed the pious predecessors of this ummah, and those who came after them on truth and guidance.

The importance of the apparent meanings of the injunctions of the Book and the Sunnah
We consider it obligatory to take the apparent meanings of the injunctions from the Book and the sunnah and the Names and Attributes of Allah, in a manner that that befit Him.

People of Tahreef (distortion) and Ta’teel (deny) and acquittal from those who exaggerate in the commands of the Book and Sunnah.
We declare ourselves free (acquitted) from the methodology of the Muhrrafeen(those who tamper(change) the correct meaning (regarding the names and attributes and commands of Allah)), which they have accepted against the wish and intention of Allah and His Messenger (saw). Similarly, we reject this view of the Mu’atileen (those who deny the meaning), which they have adopted against the wish of Allah and His Messenger (saw). And also we reject the opinion and the way of those who ghulu (exaggerate), those who describe the “howness” (i.e. they try to describe How a matter is (to be)) of the attributes of Allah, or they attempt to bear a resemblance of those attributes with something of the creation.

The Book and the Sunnah is the truth
We have definite belief that whatever has been revealed in the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of the Prophet(saw) is the truth. And there is no kind of inconsistency or incompatibility in them. And the proof is the saying of Allah:

"Do they not then consider the Qur'an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions." An-Nisa 4:82

Even though, in reports or narrations (from other than Allah and His Messenger) it is a necessary matter that on occasions one part will contradict with another part , but those narrations which have come from Allah and His Messenger(saw) it is impossible for such to occur.

The one who supports incompatibility in Islam is misguided
The person who claims incompatibility or inconsistency in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw), then his reality is nothing except that this claim is based on an evil intention and a crooked heart. And hence, he should turn to Allah in repentance and give up this deviant idea .

And if a person has doubts or suspicions about inconsistencies or incompatibilities in the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His Messenger(saw), then its reason is only his lack of understanding, lack of knowledge or deficiency in intelligence. Accordingly he should strive in acquiring and gaining knowledge so that truth may become apparent to him. If the truth still does not become clear to him, then he should leave his affair to the one who has knowledge, and he should abandon his misgivings about this matter and should say like one who has knowledge that :

"We believe in it; the whole of it is from our Lord." Aali Imran 3:7

And he should have firm belief in the fact that there is no discrepancy or incompatibility in the Book and the Sunnah neither is there any contradiction.

Belief in the Angels
We believe in the Allah’s Angels and also that :

"They are but honoured slaves. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command." Suratul Anbiya 21:26-27

Allah created them and they are fully occupied in worshipping Him and are completely obedient to Him. As Allah says:

"..those who are near Him (i.e. the angels) are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they weary (of His worship). They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so)." Suratul Anbiya 21:19-20

Allah has kept them away from our vision, that’s why we cannot see them. But in some instances Allah has enabled some of His servants to see them. Like our Prophet (saw) saw the Angel Jibreel (as) in his real form, he had six hundred wings and he spanned the whole horizon. Similarly Jibreel (as) appeared in front of Mary in a human form and they spoke to each other.

Likewise, one day in the gathering of the sahaaba , Jibreel (as) came in the form of unfamiliar person in front of the Prophet(saw), there were no signs of travel on him, the clothes were exceptionally white and the hair extremely black. He sat keeping his knees opposite the knees of the Prophet (saw), and he kept his hands on his thighs and started speaking to him (saw). (After he departed), the prophet(saw) said that he was Jibreel (as).

Some angels are entrusted with duties
We believe that there are some angels who are entrusted with some specific duties. And among them is the Jibreel (as) to whom the task of revelation was assigned, with which he descended and which he gave to the Prophet or the Messenger of Allah whom Allah willed to receive. And among them is Mikaa’eel, who is entrusted with the task of rainfall and growth of crops. And there is Israafeel, who will blow the horn on the day of judgment when the people will fall unconscious and again when they will be brought back to life.

And among them is malak-al-maut (angel of death), who when death approaches is appointed to take possession of the soul. And there is malak-al-jabaal who is entrusted with the affairs of the mountains, and there is an angel named Maalik, who is the incharge of the Hell.

Similarly, there are some angels who protect and safeguard the unborn babies in the wombs of mothers and some are assigned to protect some men and some (angels) write their (mens') books of deeds, and for this each person is assigned two angels. As Allah says:

"(Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being ), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions) . Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)." Surah Qaf 50:17-18

And there are some angels (whom we call Munkar and Nakeer) who question the dead. When someone is taken to the grave after his death there come two angels who question him about his Lord, his Deen and his Prophet. Allah says in Holy Qur’an :

"Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who are Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), and Allah does what He wills. Surah Ibrahim 14:27

And there are some angels who are assigned the task to take care of people of Jannah, as Allah says:

"And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying): "Salaamun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you) for that you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!" Surah Ra'd 13:23 -24

Al-Baitul Ma’moor
The prophet (saw) said:

"In the heavens there is bait (house) al-Ma’moor in which enter seventy thousand angels every day." In one narration, they pray in it. "Those who enter it once will never enter it again."[2]

Belief in the Revealed Books

We believe that Allah has revealed books to His Messengers so that they can be a proof against the worlds and a guide for those who abide and live by them, and so that the Prophets can teach people the religion and guidance through them and they can purify their hearts. We also believe that Allah revealed a book to all Messengers. As Allah the Most High says:

"Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep up justice." Suratul-Hadid 57:25

Some Heavenly Books
Out of those books we know of the following:

Tauraat: which was revealed upon Prophet Musa (as) and which is a magnificient book of Bani Isra’eel. Allah says:

"Verily, We did send down the Tauraat (Torah) (to Musa ), therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's Will, judged the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests [too judged the Jews by the Tauraat (Torah) after those Prophets] for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they were witnesses thereto." Suratul-Ma'idah 5:44

Injeel: which was revealed upon Prophet Isa (as) and which was in affirmation of Torah and which its completion. Allah the most High says:

"And in their footsteps, We sent 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), confirming the Tauraat (Torah) that had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel), in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Tauraat (Torah) that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2)." Suratul-Ma'idah 5:46

And Allah says:

"And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Tauraat (Torah), and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me." Surah Aali Imran 3:50

Zuboor: This book was revealed upon Prophet Dawood (as).

Suhuf: These Scriptures were revealed upon prophet Ibraheem (as) and prophet Musa (as).

Qur’an: This book was revealed upon the last Messenger, prophet Muhammad (saw). Allah the Most High says:

" a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)." Suratul-Baqarah 2:185

Qur’an is the protector of all heavenly books and Allah is the protector of Qur’an
Allah says in Qur’an:

".. confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures)." Suratul-Ma'idah 5:48

Accordingly, Allah the Most High abrogated all the previous books through Qur’an and He took the responsibility of preserving it against the deceit and fraud of every imprudent and one who changes (from original). Allah , the Most High says:

"Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)." Suratul-Hijr 15:9

So that till the last day it remains preserved as a proof and evidence for the creation.

Some examples of change, subtraction or addition in the previously revealed books
As for the past heavenly books, they were revealed only for a limited period of time, and the newly revealed heavenly books would abrogate them. And these newly revealed books would clarify what occurred of change in the older books, because those books were not preserved form change and modification, rather there occurred in them alteration and many such deficiencies. Allah the Most High says:

"Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places .." Suratun-Nisa 4:46

And:

"Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, "This is from Allah," to purchase with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for that they earn thereby." Suratul-Baqarah 2:79

And He said:

"Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Who then sent down the Book which Musa (Moses) brought, a light and a guidance to mankind which you (the Jews) have made into (separate) papersheets, disclosing (some of it) and concealing (much).” "

And He the Most High said:

"And verily, among them is a party who distort the Book with their tongues (as they read), so that you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book, and they say: "This is from Allah," but it is not from Allâh; and they speak a lie against Allah while they know it. It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allah has given the Book and Al-Hukma (the knowledge and understanding of the laws of religion, etc.) and Prophethood to say to the people: "Be my worshippers rather than Allah's."" Surah Aali Imran 3:78-79

And He said:

"O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad SAW) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and passing over (i.e. leaving out without explaining) much. Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad SAW ) and a plain Book (this Qur'ân). Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to a Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism). Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allah is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary)." Suratul-Ma'idah 5:15-17

Belief in the Messengers
We believe that Allaah has sent Messengers (and Prophets) to His creation.

The wisdom in sending of the Messengers
Allaah, the Most High says:

"Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allaah after the Messengers. And Allaah is Ever AllPowerful, AllWise." Suratun-Nisa 4:165

The first Messenger was Nuh (alaihis Salaam) and the last is Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam)
We believe that the first Messenger was Nuh (alaihis Salaam) and the last is Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam). Allaah says:

"Verily, We have inspired you (O Muhammad) as We inspired Nuh and the Prophets after him;" Suratun-Nisa 4:163

And He said:

"Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of the Prophets." Suratul-Ahzab 33:40

A mention of Determined and Messengers of Excellence
The best amongst the group of Messengers and Prophets is Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam). And after him in rank and position are Ibrahim (alaihis Salaam), Musa (alaihis Salaam), then Nuh (alaihis Salaam) and then Isa, son of Maryam (alaihis Salaam). These are the five Messengers who exclusively are mentioned in the following verse.

"And (remember) when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you (O Muhammad ), and from Nuh , Ibrahim , Musa, and 'Iesa , son of Maryam (Mary). We took from them a strong covenant." Suratul-Ahzab 33:7

The best Shar’iah among all the Shar’iah’s
We believe that the Shar’iah that was brought by Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) was all-inclusive and all-encompassing of the qualities and excellences of the Shar’iah’s brought by the past Messengers. The proof is this statement of Allaah:

"He (Allaah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nuh , and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad ), and that which We ordained for Ibrahim , Musa and 'Iesa saying you should establish religion , and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion)." Suratush-Shura 42:13

All the Messengers were human beings, creation and slaves of Allaah
We believe that all the Messengers (and Prophets) were human beings created by Allaah. They did not possess anything from the properties of Ruboobiyyat (Lordship). [2] And Allaah ordered Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) to proclaim that:

"I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allaah, nor (that) I know the unseen; nor I tell you that I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me by inspiration." Suratul-An'am 6:50

And He said:

"Say (O Muhammad ): "I possess no power of benefit or hurt to myself except as Allaah wills. Suratul-A'raf 7:188

And He also said:

"Say: "It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to the Right Path." Say (O Muhammad ): "None can protect me from Allaah's punishment (if I were to disobey Him), nor should I find refuge except in Him. Suratul-Jinn 72:21 - 22

And it is our belief that they ( the Messengers and Prophets) are slaves of Allaah who were honored with prophethood and messengership by Allaah. And He mentioned about their virtue and merit at honored and praised places. And He said about Nuh (alaihis Salaam):

"O offspring of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Nûh (Noah)! Verily, he was a grateful slave." Suratul-Isra 17:3

And He said about the last of the Messengers, Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) :

"Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Qur'an) to His slave (Muhammad ) that he may be a warner to the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns)." Al-Furqan 25:1

And He said about other Messengers :

"And remember Our slaves, Ibrahim , Ishaque , and Ya'qub , (all) owners of strength (in worshipping Us) and (also) of religious understanding." Surah Sad 38:45

And He said about Dawood (alaihis Salaam):

"and remember Our slave Dawud , endued with power. Verily, he was ever oft-returning in all matters and in repentance (toward Allaah)." Surah Sad 38:17

"And to Dawud We gave Sulaiman . How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)! Surah Sad 38:30

And He said about Isa (alaihis Salaam),

"He ['Iesa ] was not more than a slave. We granted Our Favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel (i.e. his creation without a father)." Suratuz-Zukhruf 43:59

And we believe that Allaah, the Most High terminated the succession of Messengers and Prophets with Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) as the last Messenger and made him the Messenger for all mankind. Allaah says:

"Say (O Muhammad ): "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah - to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He); It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad ), the Prophet who can neither read nor write, who believes in Allaah and His Words [(this Qur'an), the Tauraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and also Allaah's Word: "Be!" - and he was, i.e. 'Iesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary),], and follow him so that you may be guided." Suratul-A'raf 7:158

The Shar’iah of the Messenger (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) is the religion of Islaam
We believe that the shar’iah brought by the last Messenger (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) is the religion of Islaam, which has been chosen and preferred by Allaah, the Most High for His slaves, and no other religion or Shar’iah other than this is acceptable to Allaah. Allaah, the Most High said:

"Truly, the religion with Allaah is Islam. Surah Aali Imran 3:19

And He said:

"This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. Suratul-Ma'idah 5:3

And He said:

"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." Surah Aali Imran 3:85

To accept any other religion other than Islaam is Kufr (disbelief)
We believe that if any person accepts or prefers any other religion, like Judaism or Christianity, over Islaam then he is a Kaafir (disbeliever). Accordingly it is required from him to make tawbah (repentance), if he repents then it is good or else he will be considered a murtad or the rejecter of Qur’an and should be killed.

To reject that the Messengership of the Last Prophet (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) is to reject all Messengers
We believe that a person who rejects that the last Prophet (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) was sent for whole mankind and the creation then he is the rejecter of all Messengers, rather he is even the rejecter of that Prophet whom he claims to believe in and obey. Allaah, the Most High says:

"The people of Nûh (Noah) belied the Messengers." Suratush-Shu'ara 26:105

Allaah declared the people of Nuh as rejecters of all the Messengers even though there had come no Messenger before prophet Nuh (alaihis Salaam). Allaah, the Most High says:

"Verily, those who disbelieve in Allaah and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allaah and His Messengers (by believing in Allaah and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, "We believe in some but reject others," and wish to adopt a way in between. They are in truth disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating torment." Suratunn-Nisa 4: 150-151

Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) is the last Prophet
We believe that there will come no prophet after Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam). Anyone who claims to be a prophet or affirms prophethood for anyone after prophet Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam), then without doubt he is a Kaafir (disbeliever), because he is a rejecter of Allaah, His Messenger and the Ijmaa’ (agreement) of the Muslim Ummah (nation).

Khulafaa ur-Raashideen were most deserving of the Khilaafa
We also believe that there were rightly guided Khulafaa after the Prophet (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) from this Ummah who were the truest followers of the Prophet (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) in Knowledge, Dawah and Khilaafah. The best among them and the one who rightly deserved the first Khilaafah is Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq (radiallahu anhu) and after him in order of stature and rank are Umar bin al-Khattaab (radiallahu anhu), Uthmaan bin Affaaan (radiallahu anhu) and Ali bin Abee Taalib (radiallahu anhu).

And they became the Khalifah in the same rank and order of excellence. And Allaah does not appoint a person as a ruler amongst that best generation if there existed a person who was better and more deserving of Khilaafah, because whatever He does is based on mature wisdom.

Partial excellence cannot prove Complete Excellence
We also believe that sometimes amongst these Khulafaa the succeeding Kahlifah may partially excel in excellence and rank in some matters than the one who preceeded him but it does not mean that he is entitled with complete excellence (over the preceeding Khalifah), because there are many reasons and causes for the excellence and honor.

The degrees of Excellence
We also believe that with Allaah, this ummah (of Muhmmad (sallalaahu Alaihi Wassallam) is better and higher in rank than all other ummah’s. Allaah the Most High says:

"You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allaah." Surah Aali Imraan 3:110

We also believe that the best of people in this ummah are the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) then the ta’bi’een (the following generation) and then the tab’i ta’bi’een (the generation that followed that generation).

One group will always remain steadfast on truth and will always be victorious
And one group amongst this ummah will always remain steadfast on truth and will always be victorious. No one who doesn’t help them or who opposes them can do any harm to them till the command of Allaah comes.

The differences among the companions of Prophet (sallalaahu alaihi wassallam) were based on ijtihaad (authoritative interpretation)
We believe that all the differences and disputes that arose among the companions arose because of interpretation based on ijtihaad, so whosoever was on truth will receive two rewards and the one who erred will receive one reward and his error will be forgiven.

It is waajib (obligatory) to refrain from speaking about the companions in an impudent manner
We believe it to be of great importance that one should refrain from speaking ill of them or to point out their mistakes, rather one should praise them with beautiful words that they are deserving of. And we clear our hearts of abhorrence and hatred towards them as Allaah says regarding them,:

"Not equal among you are those who spent and fought before the conquering (of Makkah) (with those among you who did so later). Such are higher in degree than those who spent and fought afterwards. But to all, Allaah has promised the best (reward). ." Suratul-Hadid 57:10

And Allaah the Most High says about us:

"And those who came after them say: "Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful."" Suratul-Hashr 59:10