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Aqida is the Essence of Mysticism
Author : Dr. Jadallah Bassam
Date Added : 27-11-2022

Aqida is the Essence of Mysticism

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May Allah`s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

Straightening of life affairs is the aspiration of the highly motivated and people with high souls. This is a principle that continues rising steadily until it reaches the utmost of human wishes.

 

Scholars of Sharia have paid considerable attention to different types of perfection. The most important three are as follows: perfection of the intellect; which is the specialty of Theology, practical perfection; which is the specialty of Fiqh, and spiritual perfection, which is the specialty of mysticism.

 

The utmost degree of perfection is when man is enabled to carry out the highest of human functions, to be a slave to none but Almighty Allah. Therefore, the higher the degree of this perfection, the higher the degree of mysticism, and this is where the phrase "Aqida is the Essence of Mysticism" was derived.

 

This significant principle was emphasized by some of the greatest scholars from among Ahlussunnah Wal Jamaah, such as Al-Qushairi, Al-Ghazali, Al-Sheikh Zarook, and Tajudeen Al-Subki. Based on this important principle, the paths of accepted mysticism were founded.

 

Al-Qushairi Al-`Ash`ari introduced his book [Al-Risala Al-Qushairiyah] with aspects on Aqida. He {May Allah have mercy on him} said: "Beware! May Allah have mercy on you that the leaders of this sect have based their foundations on the valid principle of Tawheed /Islamic Monotheism." [Al-Risala Al-Qushairiyah, Sharfawi printing/ pp.84}. Therefore, the head of this method, Al-Junaid (May Allah have mercy on him) said: "Tawheed is differentiating between the creator (Allah) and the creation."

Al-Ghazali {May Allah have mercy on him} did the same when he dedicated the first part of his book [Ehyaa` Ulum Al-Deen] for Aqida since it is the essence of the religion of Islam. The same was done by Al-Subki in his book [Jam`u Al-Jawami`] where he gave precedence to issues on Aqida over issues on mysticism. It is as if he was saying that Aqida for mysticism is like the soul for the body. "The balance of Allah rests on three: the intellect, the Quran, and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH), and all these three are a must." [Hallu Ar-Romooz, pp.286].

 

According to scholarly consensus, belief is the essence of mysticism, so one who seeks mysticism without sound Aqida is like one chasing rainbows while the one who denies mysticism in its totality is characterized with narrow-mindedness.

 

The reason for writing this article is that some people claim that mysticism is contrary to knowledge, so I hope that this article along with the statements of the learned men of the faith have made things clear. And All perfect praise is due to Allah The Lord of The Worlds.

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on working for a company that manufactures cigarettes?

All Perfect Praise is due to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds

Working for a company that manufactures cigarettes is forbidden because smoking itself is forbidden, so its production, selling and circulation are forbidden as a result since they aid in committing sin, and whoever aids in that is like the sinner himself. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the ruling on training dogs that are of benefit?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
 
This is permissible because Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "They ask thee what is lawful to them (as food). Say: lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure: and what ye have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed to you by Allah. eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it: and fear Allah. for Allah is swift in taking account." [Al-Ma`idah/4]. However, it is prohibited to keep dogs for no benefit because Salim reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle (PBUH) said: "He who kept a dog other than one meant for hunting or for watching the herd, lost two qirat of his reward every day." [Moslim]. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

I married a man and had two children; however, we got separated four years ago. In addition, my husband`s brother, paternal uncle of my children, has been providing for them ever since. In fact, he is an honest, well-behaved man. Is it permissible that we get married although his brother (My ex-husband) is still alive?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
It is temporarily prohibited for a woman to marry her stepbrother. Therefore, once she receives Talaq Ba`in (Irrevocable divorce), she is allowed to marry her stepbrother, even if his brother (First husband) is still alive. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

I have mixed (halal and haram) money, and I want to purify it. My father is poor, and I want him, my mother, and my mother-in-law to perform Hajj, along with myself and my wife, as they need care due to their old age. Is it permissible to use this money for Hajj, or what should I do with it? Please advise.
 
 
 
 
 

If you knew the exact amount of unlawful money, then you should give as a charity, and if didn't then try to figure out the closest amount in order to give it as a charity. 
As for performing Hajj, perform it by using your lawful money. May Allah Bless you for being dutiful to your parents and your mother in law and for your attempt to serve them, And Allah Knows Best.