Islamic Creed
Aqidah (Arabic: عَقِيدَة, romanized: ʿaqīdah, IPA: [ʕɑˈqiːdæ], pl. عَقَائِد, ʿaqāʾid, [ʕɑˈqɑːʔɪd]) is an Islamic term of Arabic origin that means “creed”. It is also called Islamic Creed or Islamic theology.
Aqidah goes beyond concise statements of faith and may not be part of an ordinary Muslim’s religious instruction. It has been distinguished from iman in “taking the aspects of Iman and extending it to a detail level” often using “human interpretation or sources”. Also, in contrast with iman, the word aqidah is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran.
Many schools of Islamic theology expressing different aqidah exist. However, this term has taken a significant technical usage in the Islamic theology, and is a branch of Islamic studies describing the beliefs of Islam.
Islamic creed (Aqeedah) is the theological foundation that defines a Muslim’s belief in Allah, His attributes, the unseen, and the nature of divine guidance. It is primarily based on the Six Articles of Faith:
- Belief in Allah – His Oneness, Names, and Attributes.
- Belief in Angels – Created from light, serving Allah’s commands.
- Belief in Divine Books – Quran, Torah, Gospel, Psalms, and Suhuf.
- Belief in Prophets – From Adam to Muhammad ﷺ, all guiding humanity.
- Belief in the Last Day – Resurrection, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.
- Belief in Qadar (Divine Decree) – Both good and evil are by Allah’s Will.
Classical Sunni Islam follows Ash’ari and Maturidi theology, which balances reason with revelation. The Athari approach, preferred by Salafis, takes a strict literalist stance on texts.
❝Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives anything else for whom He wills.❞
(Quran 4:48)
❝Whoever dies while knowing there is no god but Allah will enter Paradise.❞
(Hadith, Sahih Muslim 26:41)
Schools of Islamic Theology
Islamic theology is divided into several schools, each differing in their approach to divine attributes, free will, and the nature of faith. The three main Sunni theological schools are Athari, Ash‘ari, and Maturidi. Each school interprets key theological concepts differently, particularly regarding Allah’s attributes, reason, and revelation.
- Athari: A strict textualist approach, rejecting philosophical reasoning in favor of direct reliance on Quran and Hadith. It is the theological foundation of the modern Salafi movement and adheres to a literalist interpretation of Allah’s attributes.
- Ash‘ari: Founded by Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash‘ari, this school balances reason and revelation, using rationalist arguments to defend Sunni creed while upholding divine transcendence.
- Maturidi: Similar to Ash‘arism but with a stronger emphasis on human reason in understanding faith, particularly regarding divine justice and human responsibility.
The differences between these schools have shaped Islamic thought, influencing debates on predestination, the nature of Allah’s attributes, and the role of reason in faith.
❝Do not apply rationality where there is no room for it.❞
— Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, rejecting speculative theology (Athari view).
❝Reason alone cannot determine all aspects of faith, but it is a tool that leads to certainty in divine revelation.❞
— Imam al-Ghazali, advocating for reason and revelation (Ash‘ari).
❝Belief must be based on knowledge, and knowledge must be based on rational proofs.❞
— Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi, defending rational theology.
Mu’tazila, Divine Attributes Debate, Qadar vs. Free Will
Reflective Questions
- How does the balance of reason and revelation affect one’s understanding of faith?**
- Why do some Muslims prefer a strict textualist approach (Athari) over a rationalist one (Ash‘ari/Maturidi)?
- What are the risks of completely rejecting reason in theology?
Tajseem - embodiment, incarnation, giving concrete or corporeal form, personification.
Jism, Tajseem, and the Mujassimah (Anthropomorphists)