Aqeedah

This page is for Light upon Light, the second Aqeedah class from AlMaghrib Instutute. The course took place in Houston, TX on July 14-16 / 21-24 and was taught by Shaykh Yasir Qadhi. I am not planning to post my complete notes. I will post a summarized version of what I found to be particularly interesting/beneficial. I will also be adding external resources, i.e. notes from other sources such as books, or maybe even other articles relevant to the subject. This page will serve primarily as an index for all the postings I have made.

The course material covers the principles governing our belief in Allah’s Names and Attributes, i.e., Tawheed al-Asmaa wa Sifaat.

Tawheed al-Asmaa wa Sifaat is one of the most important things a Muslim can study. It is half of the basis of Tawheed and the most noble of all sciences and knowledge. This is because it is how we get to know Allah (swt). It comprises our emaan in Allah(swt). Knowledge of this gives the heart life, and is the foundation of all happiness, safety, and sucecss. Each Name and Attribute of Allah gives life to a certain type of consciousness and humility in man.

Intro:

• 5 Important Principles for Approaching the Quran and Sunnah
• The Dangers of Deviating with Allah’s Names and Attributes (Ilhad)

Rules Regarding Allah’s Names and Attributes

1. All of Allah’s Names and Attributes are of Majesty and Perfection.
2. Allah’s Names and Attributes come from the Sacred Texts.
3. Allah has an unlimited number of Names (hadith of 99 Names).
4. Ahlus-Sunnah affirm His Names without likeness, and negate without denial.
5. Linguistic meaning of His Attributes is understood, but not the modality.
6. Detailed affirmation and concise negation.
7. Silence regarding words that have not been affirmed or negated.
8. Attribution conveys specification.
9. Every mu’attil is a mujassim and every mujassim is a mu’attil.
10. Two final principles.

The Start of Devation

1. Historical
2. Primary Groups of Kalam.

Disputing with the Language of the Sacred Texts

1. The issue of mutashabih.
2. Problem of ta’wil (and majazi and haqiqi).
3. Tafwid and its dangers.
4. Affirming the Lucid and Clear Language of the Divine Texts.
5. Hadith ahad and hadith mutawatir.

Detailed Discussion of Some Attributes

1. Kalam (Speech)
   1. The issue of the Quran being created.
2. ‘Uluww (Highness) - General Overview.
   1. ‘Uluww - Other Opinions.
3. Istiwaa (Rise over).
   1. Proofs from the Quran.
   2. Proofs from the Sunnah.
   3. Proofs from the Sahabah and Four Madhhabs.
   4. Proofs from the Scholars.
4. Ma’iyyah (being With) and Qurb (Closeness).
5. Nuzool (Descent).

Additional Resources

Books

1. Exemplary Foundations Concerning the Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allah - ibn Uthaymeen
2. Tawhid of Allah’s Most Beautiful Names and Lofty Attributes - Muhammad Khalifah al-Timimi
3. Belief in Allah - Umar al-Ashqar
4. An Explanation of the Beautiful and Most Perfect Names of Allah - as-Sa’di
5. The Names and Attributes of Allah - Umar al-Ashqar
6. Aqeedatul Waasitiyyah - ibn Taymiyyah
7. Explanation of Aqeedatul Hamawiyyah - ibn Uthaymeen
8. Explanation of Aqeedatul Waasitiyyah - ibn Uthaymeen

CD’s

1. Tafsir of Surat Hashr 18-23 - Yasir Qadhi

Online Audio

1. Tawheed of Allah’s Blessed Names and Attributes - Yahya Ibrahim 1 | 2
2. Allah’s Attributes - Waleed Basyouni 1 | 2 | Q&A
3. Sharh Aqeedatul Waasitiyyah - Ali Timimi (6 parts)
4. Sharh Aqeedatul Hamawiyyah - Ali Timimi (4 parts)
5. Allah’s Name and Attributes - Ali Timimi 1 | 2
6. Aqeedah at-Tahawiyyah - Abdur-Rauf Shakir (30 parts)
7. The Meaning of Allah’s Most Beautiful Names - Saleh as-Saleh (8 parts)