Islamic Aqidah (creed or belief) is universally recognized by Muslims as the noblest and most important of all sciences. Its nobility comes from its subject matter: Allah (SWT), His Names, His Attributes, and the foundational principles of faith.
It is known as Al-Fiqh al-Akbar (The Greater Understanding) because it is the root from which all other branches of Islam—like prayer, fasting, and law—receive their meaning and validity. A person’s greatest need is to know their Creator, and this knowledge is the only path to true life, peace, and tranquility for the heart.
But since the human mind cannot grasp the entirety of Allah’s nature on its own, He sent Messengers with a unified message. The core of this message was always Tawhid (monotheism) and the correct Aqidah.
This creed is built on two great foundations:
- Knowing Allah and the path (Shari’ah) that leads to Him.
- Understanding the reward (everlasting bliss) that awaits those who follow that path.
Here are 7 specific reasons why studying, understanding, and holding to the correct Islamic Aqidah is essential.
1. It Unites the Hearts of the Ummah
The correct Aqidah is the only force that can truly unite the hearts of the Muslim Ummah (nation) upon a single goal. It dissolves tribalism, nationalism, and racism, replacing them with a bond of faith.
Before Islam, the Arabs were divided, scattered, and in a constant state of warfare. This Aqidah transformed them into a unified, brotherly nation.
Allah (SWT) says: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.” (Surah Al-Imran, 103)
This unity cannot be achieved through any earthly ideology—whether political, economic, or social. It is only the pure Aqidah of the Quran, Sunnah, and the Salaf (righteous predecessors) that can bind the Ummah together.
2. It is the Basis for Victory and Salvation
There is no victory in this world, or success in the Hereafter, except through this Aqidah. Adherence to the correct, pure creed is the prerequisite for deserving Allah’s pleasure, His support against enemies, and His reward of Paradise.
Allah (SWT) says: “So if they believe in the same as you believe in, then they have been [rightly] guided; but if they turn away, they are only in dissension, and Allah will be sufficient for you against them. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 137)
This belief is the “Sibghah” (religion or color) of Allah. It is the fitrah (natural disposition) He created us upon, and only by holding to it can the Ummah achieve true honor and divine support.
3. It is the Prerequisite for Accepted Deeds
No righteous deed is accepted by Allah (SWT) unless it is built upon the foundation of a correct Aqidah. Without correct Iman (faith), even seemingly good works are scattered like ashes in the wind.
Allah (SWT) says: “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” (Surah An-Nahl, 97)
The verse explicitly states “while he is a believer” as the condition. For the disbelievers, their deeds are described as a mirage or ashes, having no weight on the Day of Judgment.
4. It Was the Primary Focus of the Prophetic Call
A clear sign of Aqidah’s importance is how the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) spent his time. For 13 years in Makkah, his call was focused almost entirely on establishing Tawhid and correcting the people’s beliefs about Allah.
He was solidifying the foundations of Iman in the hearts of the people. Only after this foundation was firmly established in Madinah were the detailed rulings of fiqh (worship, transactions, punishments) revealed. This demonstrates the correct methodology for da’wah (calling to Islam) and reform: Aqidah first.
5. It is the Unifying Message of All Prophets
Aqidah is the one message upon which all Prophets and Messengers—from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all)—were united. While their specific laws (Shari’ah) may have differed according to their time and people, their core creed was identical.
Allah (SWT) says: “And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid Taghut (false deities).'” (Surah An-Nahl, 36)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The Prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.” (Reported by Muslim)
This single religion is Islam: the complete submission to Allah alone, which is the essence of Tawhid.
6. It is the Foundation of True Faith and Knowledge
Iman (faith) is not simply saying “I believe.” True faith requires knowing the Lord in whom you believe. A person’s faith increases in proportion to their knowledge of Allah’s Names, Attributes, and Actions.
The path to this knowledge is through contemplating the Quran and Sunnah. This knowledge is the root of faith, and all other pillars are subsequent to it. The more you know your Lord, the stronger your yaqeen (certainty) and your Iman will be.
7. It is the Entire Purpose of Our Creation
Why did Allah (SWT) create us? The Quran gives a clear answer:
Allah (SWT) says: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 56)
It is impossible to truly worship Allah without first knowing Him. Therefore, the study of Aqidah (knowing Allah) is the study of the very purpose of our existence. To be ignorant of one’s Lord while enjoying His continuous blessings is the greatest loss.
Every single verse in the Quran is connected to Aqidah, either by mentioning Allah’s Names, His Attributes, His Actions, or the reward for those who believe in Him and the punishment for those who do not.
The greatest verse in the Quran (Ayat al-Kursi) is the greatest because it is purely about Allah’s Attributes. The Prophet (ﷺ) stated that Surah Al-Ikhlas (which is purely about Aqidah) is equivalent to one-third of the Quran. This shows the immense value Allah (SWT) places on being known correctly by His servants.
Conclusion: The Bedrock of a Muslim’s Life
From unifying the Ummah to validating our deeds, Aqidah is not an abstract or optional field of study. It is the bedrock of a Muslim’s identity, the foundation of their faith, and the key to success in this life and the next.
By Muhammad Al-Hamoud Al-Najdi
