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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

I have a question regarding the deferred portion of the dowry (Mahr)*. Is the wife entitled to it only upon divorce or she can claim it even if divorce hasn`t taken place? Moreover, does she have the right to claim this portion after death of husband, even if he didn`t divorce her before that?

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.
In the marriage contract, it is recorded that the deferred portion of the dowry is due upon divorce or death, whatever comes first. If divorce took place first then the woman is entitled to it and if the husband died this amount must be paid from his estate. On the other hand, if the woman died then the husband becomes liable for this portion and it becomes part of the woman`s estate. We advise every husband to give this portion to his wife while alive because it is a right of hers. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
* In Islam, a Mahr is the obligation, in the form of money or possessions paid by the groom, to the bride at the time of Islamic marriage (payment also has circumstances on when and how to pay). While the mahr is often money, it can also be anything agreed upon by the bride such as jewelry, home goods, furniture, a dwelling or some land. Mahr is typically specified in the marriage contract signed upon marriage.

What is the ruling of Sharia on marrying a Jewish woman, dealing with the Jews, and going to Israel?

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.
It is allowed for a Muslim to marry a Jewish or a Christian woman provided that this doesn`t affect his religion. As for dealing with the Jews who are outside Palestine, it is the same as dealing with the Christians; it is permissible as long as it doesn`t harm Islam. As for dealing with the Jews who are inside Palestine, the ruling differs depending on the persons themselves and the situations. By the end of the day, a believer`s heart leads him/her to what is good. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

Is Zakah (obligatory charity) due on land intended for selling?

Yes, lands intended for selling are evaluated, and Zakah is paid according to their estimated value after a lunar year had lapsed, but if the owner didn`t pay the due Zakah, then he should do so after selling them.

Should a minor fulfill his vow?

The vow of a minor is countless because he isn`t required to meet the Sharia rulings at such an age, and it is desirable for him to fulfill that vow once he reaches puberty.

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