And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice… (6:115)
Aqeedah is a word that we often heard of, but very few of us know the real meaning of it. Aqeedah has a literal meaning of that which is tied, knotted to, held onto, firmly fixed onto. It can be said that aqeedah strongly related with iman or faith. In fact, aqeedah could be one of the many manifestation of faith itself.
Aqeedah can also be defined as: the firm belief (i’tiqaad) that one’s heart is strongly attached to and which is settled and fixed in the heart without any wavering or doubt approaching it. It excludes any supposition, doubt or suspicion.
There are many source of aqeedah, such as the tahweed, sunnah, and sharia. The importance of aqeedah in Islam is also high, as there will be no Islam without aqeedah. Aqeedah defines a Muslim.
Here are more to the importance of aqidah in Islam:
1. Basic of Belief
In Islam, having faith to Allah SWT is absolute. Whoever doubt the Exalted cannot call themselves a Muslim. Aqeedah sets the basic for the faith, as it provides six pillars for us to believed in Islam. Also read How to Make My Faith in Islam Stronger
…righteous is he who believeth in God and the Last Day and the angels and the scripture and the prophets (2:177)
2. A Way to Connect to Allah SWT
Allah SWT is unseen and never show Himself to any of his creation. No human nor the Satan or Angels ever seen the sight of Allah SWT. However, we believe of His existence. We should stay connected to Allah SWT to make our faith stronger. Through the aqeedah, we can stay connected to Allah SWT. Through Salat, jihad, and many other good deeds to do.
3. Setting Rules to Live This Life
There are six pillars in Islam that should be believed by any Muslims. Those five pillars set the rules of living for Muslims. Not only believe them, we should understand the holistic meaning of the five pillars to later applied them in daily life. Also read How to Improve Faith in Islam
“To believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day and predestination, the good and the evil.”
4. An Important Foundation of Life
As aqeedah is the part of iman, it becomes one of the important foundation of a Muslim’s life. Among the best deed, aqeedah and iman are the best.
From Abu Tharr (RA) he asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), “O Messenger of Allah, which deed is the best? ” He replied, “Having Iman in Allah and fighting in His cause (Jihad).” (Muslim)
5. Containing the Fundamental Principle of Islam
Aqeedah consists of three things: tawheed, sunnah, and sharia. In all those three contains the fundamental principle of Islam. For example is the five pillars of Islam: Shahada, Salah, Sawm, Zakat, and Hajj. Four among five pillars become obligations for every Muslim, while for anyone who afford to, hajj is also an obligation. Also read Importance of Iman in Islam
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6. As a Foundation to Worship Allah SWT
Aqeedah, alongside with iman is a foundation to establish a good relationship with Allah SWT, to later worship Him with the best we could. Plant the aqeedah in mind and heart, so that worshiping Allah SWT would become the best deed we do.
7. A Commitment As Muslim
Becoming a Muslim is a lifetime commitment to worship and belief Allah SWT as the only God. By having faith and iman, we have shown our commitment as a good Muslim. Also read Importance of Faith in Islam
8. Erasing the Doubt Towards Allah SWT
As Allah SWT never shown His form in front of any being in this world or the Hereafter, it’s easy to doubt about His existence. However, believing without seeing is hard, and to erase all those doubt is by strengthening our iman and aqeedah.
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9. To Guide Us in Hereafter
While worldly life is temporary, Hereafter remains forever. To get through the Hereafter safely, we need guidance to stay within the blessing of Allah SWT. Aqeedah is the path we must walk through to as it serves as a light that guide us in the world until the Hereafter. Also read 6 Pillars of Iman in Islam
“So whoever Allah wants to guide – He expands his breast to (contain) Islam.” (6:25)
10. A Proof of Iman
Saying that we believe in Allah SWT is easier that proofing that we really have it. Through the aqeedah, we will be able to proof our iman in any ways possible.
Among the principles of the people of the Sunnah and the community is that the religion and faith consists of sayings and actions: the sayings of the heart and the tongue, and the actions of the heart, tongue, and limbs.
11. Sign That We Fear Allah
Living under the fear of Allah SWT is a must for Muslims. Thus, we can stay away from the things He hates and continually do good deeds which He loves.
“He said: In truth you know that none sent down these portents save the Lord of the heavens and the earth as proofs … ” (17:102)
12. A Way to Become a Good Muslim
Living in the world is only temporary, so that during the short period of time we have to do our best to be a good Muslim. To keep ourselves istiqama is hard, and we have to maintain our aqeeda in order to become a good Muslim.
Seeing that the importance of aqeedah in Islam is very high, we should try our best to follow it. Aqeedah defines a Muslim, a way to have the best iman. Aqeedah guides us to live this live in the best way.