The Misdirected Focus of ‘Aqeedah

In the name of Allah (The One). I send peace and blessings upon His Messenger (Al-Mustafa) and upon His Messenger’s family, companions, and those who follow him in righteousness until the Day of Judgement (Yowm Al-Qiyaamah).

From the apparent things that have caused a weakness in ‘Aqeedah in our present time is a lack of importance given to it by many of the du’aat (callers). The Du’aat call to Islam, but what Islam are they calling to?! They don’t call to ‘Aqeedah, but they call to Salah, Sadaqah (charity), Amaanah (trustworthiness), and righteous actions; but ‘Aqeedah, they don’t pay it any attention. So how can da’wah be upheld this way? Those people aren’t callers to Islam in the correct meaning, because true callers to Islam show importance to the foundation of Islam, its origin, and its power — ‘Aqeedah.

Like that, you don’t find calling the people to Towheed (the oneness of Allah) in their syllabi, not in mention nor giving it attention. This is from the things that has caused the weakness. Rather, most of them don’t truly know Towheed with a correct understanding. That’s because they haven’t learned or studied the foundations of calling to Islam. They don’t even know the foundation of calling to Islam, nor its origin.

If you find mention of it in their syllabi, it’s done so weakly. It doesn’t figuratively fill them up and they remain hungry. They don’t go into detail, clarify, nor grant it attention. And even when they do make space for ‘Aqeedah, then usually they don’t grant it much attention. Their goal is to speak to the students, glorify Islam, praise the religion, praise whatever group or party without paying attention to ‘Aqeedah. They don’t understand it and they don’t know it. What’s important is that the student passes, even if he’s weak, and their overall goal is not for them to have firm understanding of ‘Aqeedah.

So what is obligatory upon the du’aat, and may Allah grant them success, is to learn ‘Aqeedah first, give it attention, and understand it. Also, look at the condition of Islam today and what has taken place due to a deficiency in ‘Aqeedah. Then, begin with correcting it before anything else.

Taken from: “مظاهر ضعف العقيدة في هذا العصر و طرق علاجها — The appearance of weakness of ‘Aqeedah in our present time and ways to cure it.” By: Shaykh Fowzan Al-Fowzan

[TN] One may think we shouldn’t be scared of the Muslims falling into Shirk (associating partner with Allah), but let’s not forget the Hadeeth of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) wherein he said, “Indeed the thing I fear for you the most is the minor shirk (associating partners with Allah).” [Ahmad] To keep things in context, lets analyses who he was talking to — his companions (may Allah be pleased with them). After the Prophets, they were the best men to walk the face of this earth. So, if Al-Mustafa was scared of them falling into Shirk, rather it was the GREATEST thing he was scared of for them, and we’re 1434 years removed from them, then I think we should DEFINITELY be scared of the Muslims falling into it.

May Allah grant us a strong understanding of ‘Aqeedah and make us firm upon it with righteous actins!

And I send peace and salutations upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions.