The Prophet’s Efforts to Promote True Aqeedah
Anyone who studies the life of the Prophet (ﷺ) will quickly recognize his relentless efforts in promoting the true Islamic creed (Aqeedah) without making any compromises. The methodology he followed in teaching Aqeedah was grounded in five general principles:
- Teaching the True Islamic Aqeedah
One example of the Prophet (ﷺ) wisely teaching Aqeedah is seen in his conversation with the young Abdullah ibn Abbas. He imparted valuable lessons that remain relevant to this day:
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ، قَالَ: " كُنْتُ خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمًا، فَقَالَ: ( يَا غُلَامُ إِنِّي أُعَلِّمُكَ كَلِمَاتٍ ، احْفَظِ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْكَ ، احْفَظِ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَكَ ، إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلِ اللَّهَ ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ ، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الأُمَّةَ لَوْ اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ ، وَلَوْ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَضُرُّوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَضُرُّوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ، رُفِعَتِ الأَقْلَامُ وَجَفَّتْ الصُّحُفُ )
Ibn Abbas reported: I was riding behind the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when he said to me, “Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah
and you will find Him before you. If you ask, ask from Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the nations gathered to benefit you, they could not benefit you unless Allah has decreed it for you. And if the nations gathered together to harm you, they could not harm you unless Allah has decreed it for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” [Hadith: Tirmizee -Authentic[5]]
- Being a Role Model
The Prophet (ﷺ) led by example in both belief and behaviour. During difficult times, he would reassure those around him with firm faith,
Allah said:
إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا ۖ
If you do not aid the Prophet - Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, "Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us." [9:40] Sahih International
He ﷺ also demonstrated patience and submission to the will of Allah.
فَقالَ ﷺ: إنّ العَيْنَ تَدْمَعُ والقَلْبَ يَحْزَنُ ولا نَقُولُ إلّا ما يَرْضى رَبُّنا وإنّا بفِراقِكَ يا إبْراهِيمُ لَمَحْزُونُونَ.
“The eye weeps and the heart grieves, but we do not say except what pleases our Lord. Indeed, we are saddened by your departure, O Ibrahim.” (Hadith: Bukhari)
- Warning against future deviations in Aqeedah
The Prophet (ﷺ) never compromised when it came to anything that contradicted the true Aqeedah. He continuously warned against deviations, as illustrated by his firm stance against those who rejected the concept of divine predestination (al-Qadr).
الْقَدَرِيَّةُ مَجُوسُ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ، إِنْ مَرِضُوا فَلَا تَعُودُوهُمْ وَإِنْ مَاتُوا فَلَا تَشْهَدُوهُمْ
“The Qadaris (those who deny al-qadar) are the Magians of this ummah. If they get sick, do not visit them and if they die, do not attend (their funerals). [Hadith: Abou Dawood -Authentic[6]]
- Correcting Errors in Matters of Aqeedah
Even the companions as being human made mistakes. However, the Prophet (ﷺ) would not remain silent; he would correct them, educate them, and warn them of the consequences of their errors.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي أَوْفَى، قَالَ : " لَمَّا قَدِمَ مُعَاذٌ مِنَ الشَّامِ سَجَدَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ: ( مَا هَذَا يَا مُعَاذُ ؟ ) قَالَ : أَتَيْتُ الشَّامَ فَوَافَقْتُهُمْ يَسْجُدُونَ لِأَسَاقِفَتِهِمْ وَبَطَارِقَتِهِمْ ، فَوَدِدْتُ فِي نَفْسِي أَنْ نَفْعَلَ ذَلِكَ بِكَ ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : ( فَلَا تَفْعَلُوا ، فَإِنِّي لَوْ كُنْتُ آمِرًا أَحَدًا أَنْ يَسْجُدَ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ ، لَأَمَرْتُ الْمَرْأَةَ أَنْ تَسْجُدَ لِزَوْجِهَا
For instance, Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa narrated: When Mu‘aaz ibn Jabal came from Syria, he prostrated to the Prophet (ﷺ), who said, “What is this, O Mu‘aaz?” He said, I went to Syria and came across them prostrating to their archbishops and patriarchs, and I wanted to do that for you. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Do not do that. If I were to command anyone to prostrate to anyone other than Allah, I would have commanded women to prostrate to their husbands… [Hadith: Ibn majah – Authentic[7]]
- Warning against corrupted Individuals
It was part of the Prophet’s teachings to warn people about those who would mislead them. This was essential to protect the innocent from falling into the traps of evil.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
أَلَا إِنِّي أُوتِيتُ القُرآنَ وَمِثلَهُ مَعَهُ ، أَلَا يُوشِكُ رَجُلٌ شَبعَان عَلَى أَرِيكَتِهِ يَقُولُ : عَلَيكُم بِهَذَا القُرآنِ ، فَمَا وَجَدتُم فِيهِ مِن حَلَالٍ فَأَحِلُّوهُ ، وَمَا وَجَدتُم فِيهِ مِن حَرَامٍ فَحَرِّمُوهُ ، أَلَا وَإِنَّ مَا حَرَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَمَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ
Verily I have been given the Qur’an and something similar to it along with it. But soon there will be a time when a man will be reclining on his couch with a full stomach, and he will say, ‘You should adhere to this Qur’an: what you find that it says is permissible, take it as permissible, and what you find it says is forbidden, take it as forbidden.’ But indeed, whatever the Messenger of Allah forbids is like what Allah forbids. (Hadith: Abu Dawood - Authentic)
In conclusion, the Prophet (ﷺ) took every necessary measure to promote true Islamic beliefs, correct errors, and warn against deviations, ensuring that his followers would stay on the right path and avoid falling into falsehood.