Useful Books on Islamic Creed

Author: Allama Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jibreen (May Allah protect him)

Question:​

Which books are beneficial to study regarding the correct Islamic creed?

Answer:​

We advise and encourage the study of the works of the Salaf al-Salih (pious predecessors), particularly the books written during the early periods of Islam. This is because the matter of creed is so crucial that deviation from it leads to misguidance. Consequently, the scholars have paid great attention to it and prioritized it above all else.

The scholars of Islam, upholding the truth, engaged in debates and dialogues with contemporary groups such as Khawarij, Qadariyyah, Jahmiyyah, Murji’ah, Rafidah, and Jabariyyah. These scholars pointed out the errors and missteps of the people of innovation (ahl al-bid'ah), clarified their mistakes, and refuted their arguments with great rigor. For example, Imam Ahmad (رحمه الله) refuted the arguments of the Zanadiqah, while Uthman al-Darimi countered the claims of the Jahmiyyah and Bishr al-Mirisi.

The scholars of Islam also authored books specifically on matters of Sunnah and creed. Notable examples include:

• Imam Ahmad's book "Al-Shari’ah" (narrated by Al-Isfahani).
• Abdullah ibn Ahmad’s "Al-Sunnah."
• Ibn Abi Asim’s "Al-Sunnah."
• Al-Barbahari’s "Al-Sunnah."
• Ibn Abi Shaybah’s "Al-Iman."
• Ibn Manda’s "Al-Iman" and "Al-Tawhid."
• Ibn Khuzaymah’s "Kitab al-Tawhid."
• Ibn Batta’s "Al-Ibana."
• Al-Bayhaqi’s "Al-Asma wa al-Sifat" and "Al-I'tiqad."
• Khalal’s "Al-Sunnah."
• Al-Lalaka’i’s "Sharh Usul I’tiqad Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah."
• Al-Ajurri’s "Al-Shari’ah."

Later Works:​

After these foundational texts, the works of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his distinguished student Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمهما الله) are highly beneficial. Examples include:

• "Al-Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah" and its commentaries such as "Al-Rawdah," "Al-Tanbihat," and "Al-Kawashif."
• Other works of Ibn Taymiyyah:
  • "Al-Fatwa al-Hamawiyyah"
  • "Al-Risalah al-Tadmuriyyah"
  • "Ijtima’ al-Juyush al-Islamiyyah"
  • "Al-Kafiyah al-Shafiyah"
  • "Al-Sawa’iq al-Mursalah"
  • "Al-Safadiyyah"

On Practical Tawhid:​

Regarding practical aspects of Tawhid, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab (رحمهما الله), along with their students and followers, authored several notable works, such as:

• "Al-Tawassul wal-Wasilah"
• "Risalah al-Wasitiyyah"
• "Iqtida al-Sirat al-Mustaqim"
• "Kitab al-Tawhid alladhi Huwa Haqq Allah ‘ala al-‘Ibad"
• "Mufid al-Mustafid"
• "Kashf al-Shubuhat"
• "Thalathat al-Usul"
• "Masa’il al-Jahiliyyah"
• Balimi’s "‘Aqidat al-Muslimeen"
• San’ani’s "Tathir al-I’tiqad."

In addition, they wrote extensively refuting those who opposed the correct creed.

Allah knows best!