The knowledge of theology

Lesson 2

Yasir Qadhi

 

The Arabic word for theology is ‘aqeedah, and it refers to the science of what we believe in. Why study theology and what are some characteristics of theology according to ahl us-sunnah wal-jama’ah?

Summary

Theology originates from the latin word Theo (God) and logos (study), thus meaning the study of God. The Arabic term is ‘Aqeedah which comes from the root that means ‘to tie a knot tightly.’ Therefore, our ‘Aqeedah ties our faith and beliefs firmly in our hearts. It is what defines us. The Qur’anic term for ‘Aqeedah is Iman.

We begin our study with the Sahih hadith found in Ibn Majah (Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 63):

It was narrated that 'Umar said:

"We were sitting with the Prophet (ﷺ) when a man came to him whose clothes were intensely white and whose hair was intensely black; no signs of travel could be seen upon him, and none of us recognized him. He sat down facing the Prophet (ﷺ), with his knees touching his, and he put his hands on his thighs, and said: 'O Muhammad, what is Islam?' He said: 'To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah, to establish regular prayer, to pay Zakat, to fast in Ramadan, and to perform Hajj to the House (the Ka'bah).' He said: 'You have spoken the truth.' We were amazed by him that he asked a question, then told (the Prophet) that he had spoken the truth. Then he said: 'O Muhammad, what is Iman (faith)? He said: 'To believe in Allah, His angels, His Messengers, His books, the Last day, and the Divine Decree (Qadar), both the good of it and the bad of it.' He said, ‘You have spoken the truth.' We were amazed by him. He asked a question, then told (the Prophet) that he had spoken the truth. Then he said: 'O Muhammad, what is Ihsan (right action, goodness, sincerity)? He said: 'To worship Allah as if you see Him, for even though you do not see Him, He sees you.' He asked: "When will the Hour be?' He said: 'The one who is being asked about it does not know more than the one who is asking.' He asked: 'Then what are its signs?' he said: 'When the slave woman gives birth to her mistress' (Waki' said: This means when non-Arabs will give birth to Arabs") 'and when you see barefoot, naked, destitute shepherds competing in constructing tall buildings.' The Prophet (ﷺ) met me three days later and asked me: 'Do you know who that man was? I said" 'Allah and his Messenger know best.' He said: 'That was Jibril, who came to you to teach you your religion.'"

Studying theology helps us in coming closer to our Creator. It increases our love of Allah. It gives us conviction in our religion, it strengthens our faith in the Prophet (SAW). Theology formulates our actions and shapes our personalities. Allah illustrates to us in Surah An’aam [6:122], the difference between someone who believes and someone who does not:

اَوَمَنۡ كَانَ مَيۡتًا فَاَحۡيَيۡنٰهُ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَهٗ نُوۡرًا يَّمۡشِىۡ بِهٖ فِى النَّاسِ كَمَنۡ مَّثَلُهٗ فِى الظُّلُمٰتِ لَـيۡسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِّنۡهَا ؕ

And is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge therefrom?

The Qur’an calls someone who believes as possessing life and having light while someone who disbelieves as spiritually dead and surrounded by darkness.