The best books on Aqeedah

Q. What are the best Islamic books for those who want to perfect their Iman (belief) and 'Aqidah (creed) and to meet Allah (Exalted be He) while He be pleased with them?

A: The most important book in `Aqidah is the Qur'an; it is the most truthful, the greatest and the noblest book. You should adhere to it as much as possible and recite it often. It

includes `Aqidah, guidance to goodness and warning against evil. If you read it carefully out of desire to learn and follow its instructions closely, whether in words, deeds or `Aqidah, you will find all goodness in it from the beginning to the end i.e. from Surah Al-Fatihah [Surah (1)] toSurah Al-Nas, 114: 1 Say: "I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind, If you contemplate this great book and recite it often, you will comprehend the `Aqidah which Allah (Exalted be He) accept from you and from the Mu'mins (believers).

Then, you should read the books of Hadith, such as the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) and others.

After that, you should read the books of scholars known for knowledge, grace and true `Aqidah, such as the books written by the Shaykh of Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, including:

• "Al-`Aqidah Al-Wasitiyyah",
• "Al-`Aqidah Al-Tadmuriyyah",
• "Al-`Aqidah Al-Hamawiyyah",
• "Minhaj Al-Sunnah" and
• "Majmu` Al-Fatawa".

There is also the book of `Aqidah written by Ibn Abu Zayd Al-Qayrawany. The explanation of Ibn Abul-`Izz for Al-Tahawiyyah `Aqidah, being a useful one. There are useful books written by Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful with him).

There is also the book written by Shaykh `Abdul-Rahman ibn Hasan entitled:

• "Fat-h Al-Majid" ;

and the books by Imam and Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Abdul-Wahhab:

• "Al-Tawhid",
• "Kashf Al-Shubuhat" and
• "Thalathat Al-Usul"

There is also "Al-Durar Al-Saniyyah" that include the Fatwas (legal opinions issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) issued by the scholars of Najd. I advise the beginner knowledge seekers to memorize the Qur'an or as much as they can, and to study the books entitled:

• "Al-Tawhid",
• "Kashf Al-Shubuhat",
• "Thalathat Al-Usul" and
• "Al-`Aqidah Al-Wasitiyyah",

as they clarify the reality of the three parts of Tawhid and Salafiyyah (the way of the righteous predecessors), which is the `Aqidah called to by Shaykh and Imam Muhammad ibn `Abdul-Wahhab (may Allah be merciful with him), and which is the `Aqidah adopted by Saudi Arabia. It entails adhering to the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and following the way of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) in `Aqidah and rulings according to the Qur'an, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and the way of the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) and their followers.

Some people call it Wahabiyyah `Aqidah, and think that it is a new `Aqidah contradictory to the Qur'an and the Sunnah. This is not the case; it is the `Aqidah followed by the Salaf of the Ummah (nation) as previously mentioned but our enemies gave it this name to make people hate it and others imitated them out of ignorance.

However, a knowledge seeker should not be deceived by this; they should know the truth from their books, not through the claims of their enemies and those who are ignorant of their `Aqidah. May Allah grant everyone guidance and success!

Ibn Baz Fatwa >Volume 7>The ruling on joining religious parties

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A Reply to a similar quesion in another answer:

A. You should study the Book of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) which contains guidance and light and the Sunnah of his Messenger (peace be upon him). You should also study the books of Tafsir (exegesis of the meanings of the Qur'an) and that of the science of Hadith with the help of specialized scholars.

It is important that you act upon what you learn. Whoever acts upon what they learn will be granted the knowledge of things that they do not know.

The following books are highly recommended:

• the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e., Al-Bukhari and Muslim),
• Bulugh Al-Maram,
• `Umdat Al-Hadith by `Abdul-Ghany ibn `Abdul-Wahid Al-Maqdisy,
• Muntaqa Al-Khbar and Zad Al-Ma`ad by Ibn Al-Qayyim, and
• Al-`Aqeedah Al-Wasittiyah by Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (May Allah be merciful with them both), in addition to:
  • Al-Tawhid (Book of monotheism),
  • Kashf Al-Shobuhat, and
  • Fath Al-Majid.

May Allah grant us success!
May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!