Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, Today’s topic of discussion is What is the meaning of Aqeedah (Aqidah) in Islam, What are the fundamentals of the Aqeedah, and the History of the word Aqeedah.
Aqeedah meaning
One of the most famous terms related to religious beliefs is ‘aqeedah’ (عقيدة), the plural of which is ‘aqaid’ (عقادة). The use of this word was not very popular before the fourth century AH. This term came into use from the fourth century AH. In the later era, it became the only term.
The words Aqeedah and Itikad are derived from the Arabic root ‘aqd’ (عقد). It means to bind, tie, contract, become firm, etc. Linguist Ibn Faris describes the meaning of this word and says: “The root meaning of the root ‘Ain, Qaf, and Dal is one: to strengthen, to bind firmly, to hold or to rely on. All the meanings in which the word has been used are derived from this meaning.” Thus, the lexical meaning of the word Aqeedah is the belief of the heart, and its plural word ‘Aqaid’ means the beliefs of the heart.
What is aqidah?
In the technical sense, Aqeedah or Aqaid is the inner belief in the six fundamental principles of Islam.
What are the fundamentals of the Aqeedah?
One. Belief in Allah as the only deity.
2. Belief in Allah’s angels.
Three. Belief in all the heavenly books.
4. Belief in all the prophets and messengers.
Five. Believing that Allah has power over fate, good, and evil.
Six. Belief in the Hereafter.
History of the word Aqeedah
Although the use of the word ‘aqeedah’ to mean ‘religious belief’ was widespread in later ages, its use is not found in ancient Arabic. The use of the words ‘aqeedah’ and ‘i’tiqad’ in the sense of ‘faith’ or religious belief is not found in the Quran and Hadith. It is not known that the word ‘aqeedah’ was used in the Arabic language in the sense of ‘faith’ or any other sense during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or in the era before him. However, the word ‘i’tiqad’ was used in the sense of ‘firmness’ or ‘solidification’. In addition, the word ‘itiqad’ was also used in the sense of inner belief. The famous linguist Ismail ibn Hammad al-Jawhari (393 AH) said:
“He has believed in wealth or property, that is, he has acquired it or accumulated it. Something has been believed in, meaning it has become solid, hard, or solidified. He has believed in such and such a thing with his heart. He has no ma’qud, that is, he has no stability or firmness in his opinion.”
The word ‘aqeedah’ is not known to have been used anywhere in the Quran or Hadith. The word ‘itikaad’ is used in one or two Hadiths, but not in the sense of ‘faith’, but rather in firmly holding, binding, or accepting wealth, flags, etc.
In the words of some imams and scholars of the second century, the word ‘itikad’ or ‘aqeedah’ is seen to have been used to mean firm religious belief. In the following centuries, the word ‘aqeedah’ became widespread.
The famous 8th-century lexicographer Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Fayyumi (770 AH) wrote in his book Al-Misbah al-Munir: “What a person accepts as a religion is called ‘aqeedah.’ It is said that ‘he has good ‘aqeedah,’ meaning that he has a belief without doubt.”
The book Al-Mu’jamul Wasit, edited by modern linguist Dr. Ibrahim Anis and his companions, states: “Aqeedah means a rule or instruction that leaves no room for doubt according to the believer’s belief. It is a religious belief that is separate from action.
Aqidah meaning in Islam
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