Section 2: The Sources of the Correct 'Aqidah and the Methodology of the Pious Predecessors in Deriving It

'Aqidah is Tawqifiyyah (i.e based upon revelation), it is not established except with evidence from the Law Giver. Opinions and Ijtihad (deductive reasoning) have no opportunity to wander therein. Therefore, its sources are restricted to the Qur’an and Sunnah. This is because, there is none who has more knowledge about Allah and about what befits Him and what does not befit Him than Allah. Also, there is none after Allah, who has more knowledge about Allah than the Messenger of Allah This is why the methodology of the Salaf and those who followed their way at deriving the 'Aqidah, is restricted to the Qur’an and the Sunnah. So, whatever the Qur’an and the Sunnah pointed to about Allah - the Most High, they believed therein and acted by it. Whatever the Qur’an or Sunnah did not indicate about Allah, they negated from Allah and rejected it. This was why there was no difference of opinion between them regarding 'Aqidah; rather, their 'Aqidah was one, and they were a single group. This is because Allah has taken it upon Himself to assist those who stick to the Qur’an and Sunnah to be united in utterance, correct in doctrine and unified in methodology. Allah - the Most High - said: “And hold fast, all of you together to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Qur’an), and do not be divided among yourselves. ” (Qur’an 3:103) Similarly, Allah - the Most High - said: “Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery. ” (Qur’an 20:123) This is why they (those who stick to the Qur’an and Sunnah) have been named the Firqatu an-Ndjiyah (Saved Sect). The Prophet testified that they will be successful when he informed us about the division of the Ummah into seventy-three sects, all of which will be in Hell except one. When asked about this single group, he said: ‘‘It is whoever is upon the like of what I and my companions are upon What he informed us of has come true; when some people decided to base their 'Aqidah (Beliefs) upon sources other than the Qur’an and Sunnah, sources such as ‘Ilmul-Kaldm’ (scholastic theology) and the principles of logic inherited from Greek philosophy, deviations and divisions occurred regarding belief. This resulted in differing opinions and the division of the Jama'ah; thus did the Muslim community become shattered. 2 Reported by Imam Ahmad