Islamic Beliefs

The will and decree of Allah: Is this a matter which is directly relevant to the day-to-day life of the Muslim, or is it an obscure topic best left to the debates of philosophers and theologians? Does it imply that Muslims are ‘fatalists’ who see themselves as helpless in the hands of an indifferent fate? Attitudes towards divine will and predestination have always influenced Muslims’ daily activities. In this final volume of his eight-volume Islamic Creed Series, Dr. ‘Umar al-Ashqar explores this topic in depth, explaining it in clear terms for the ordinary Muslim. Drawing always on the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and on the words of the greatest scholars of Islam such as Ibn Taymiyah, he covers some of the historical debates that took place within the Ummah on this matter. The true Islamic concept of divine will and predestination is an empowering notion. While all that happens takes place within the framework of the divine will, people have freedom of choice within those parameters. This is a matter which is of interest and concern for all Muslims, one which will bring many benefits, both in this world and in the hereafter. This Islamic Creed Series of books has been translated into English by Nasiruddin al-Khattab.

This book is a short work to explain what every Muslim needs to know about the religion of Islam. It covers many lessons under 18 chapters.

The pristine beliefs of the early Muslims are preserved in this vitally important masterpiece written by one of the most outstanding scholars of our time, Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al Uthaymeen. This new revised edition by Dar-us-Salam has been printed in full color with hardback bounding for an excellent presentation.

Seven clear principles and their evidences from the Book and the Sunnah guide the reader through the confusion and false claims of the ignorant to the clarity of belief in Allah’s Names accomplished by the righteous early scholars of Islam. Principle 6 contains the shaikh’s compilation of the ninety-nine (99) names of Allah. The names have been compiled into 2 categories: first from the Book of Allah & second from the Sunnah of the Prophet (S). All the names have been printed in Arabic with transliteration and English translation. Each name is printed beautifully in a square box with 6 boxes on a page.

Seven more principles and their evidences follow, giving the reader firm understanding of the correct beliefs about Allah’s Attributes. Four more principles outline the correct approach in studying the related proofs and evidences.

All of this leads the reader into an enthralling series of refutations of the false notions of the Ash’aree sect, a text-by-text breakdown of how and why they went wrong in a careful and precise study of fifteen texts from the Book and the Sunnah. The beliefs of the Ash’aree sect are destroyed and the origins of their deviation are exposed for all to see.

‘A magnificent book a clarification of the creed of the righteous Salaf concerning the Names and Attributes great principles and collective benefits concerning the topic’ – Shaykh Ibn Baaz

a small excerpt from the book:

“And those who disbelieve say: “Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once?” Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages.”[1]”[2]

Al-Zarnooji -rahimahullah- said, “Imam Sharf ul-Din al-Uqayli – rahimahullah- used to say, “My opinion regarding learning knowledge is in agreement with what our teachers taught us. They used to teach beginners level one books because they are understandable, easy to memorize, enjoyable, and common. A beginner should not write down something he does not understand because it numbs the intelligence and is a waste of time. Instead, a beginner should focus on the task of understanding his teacher through deep thinking and repetition. Significantly, the smaller the portion in one class with repetition the more progress in understanding. A famous saying states: Memorizing two letters is better than hearing two loads, and understanding two letters is better than memorizing two loads.”[3]

Discusses the following topics:

• What is the Hour? When will it be? What are its signs?
• Meaning of al fitnah
• Near coming of the Hour
• Fitan affecting the Muslim Ummah
• Certain Fitan which have already passed
• Major signs before the day of judgment
• Appear of ad Dajjal
• Descent of Jesus, son of Mary
• Appearance of Gog and Magog
• Rising of the sun from the west
• Emergence of the beast from the Earth
• Ad Dukhan (The Smoke)
• The Pleasant Wind
• The Last major sign will be a fire

The order to live one’s life in accordance to the dictates of Tawhid, monotheism, is the single most important injunction laid down by the revealed law, it formed the core of the call of all Prophets and was the essential message of all revealed scripture. To worship Allah based on Tawhid is the purpose of human existence, and it is through this worship that man achieves a sense of fulfilment and contentment; in the words of one of the scholars, ‘he enters a paradise in this world before entering the Paradise of the next.’

This book, apportioned in sixty-seven chapters, deals with many aspects of Tawhid, all of them essential learning for any Muslim. Its focal topic revolves around issues of ulùhiyyah, divinity and `ibadah, worship, with some chapters dealing with al-Asmm wa’l-Sifat, the Names and Attributes of Allah. Its simple language, well-ordered structure, and heavy reliance on Qur’anic verses and Hadith of the Prophet (saw) lends it to easy reading and its importance cannot be underestimated.

Kitab al-Tawhid is a landmark work analysing orthodox Islamic monotheism. Since it was authored it has received a great deal of attention, a large number of commentaries and has been translated into over twenty languages. Relevant as it was then, it remains relevant today and Muslims are in dire need of reading it, studying it and teaching it.

Unfortunately, despite previous laudable efforts, a translation does not yet exist in English that truly reflects the importance of this work. It gives Dar us-Sunnah great pleasure to present this work to the reader in the hope that it fills this gap

• An accurate translation in easy to read modern English

• Annotations taken from 15 major commentaries

• All major criticisms against the book by its antagonists addressed

• All Hadiths and narrations critically analysed and referenced

• This work also includes the authors ‘Letters on Tawhid and Eassay on the meaning of the Kalimah’

• Overview of the style and structure of the book

• Biography of the author analysing his life, creed and works

• The Arabic text of the whole book included

• 420 Revision Questions

• Indexes of verses, Hadiths and narrations

• This is an ideal text book for every Muslim on this very important topic