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PART I : ISLAM AND ITS BASIC CONCEPT
LESSON 2
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ISLAMIC TEACHINGS
1.0 Introduction
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Do you know what the fundamentals of Islamic teachings are? As a Muslim, you should have
know those fundamentals. There are three fundamentals of Islamic teachings – ‘Aqidah, Shari’ah
and Akhlaq. Those three are inter-linked to each other. The absence of any one of those three in
a Muslim will not make his Islam complete. Thus, a Muslim must have knowledge about Aqidah,
Shari’ah and Akhlaq. This topic will discuss those three fundamentals.
2.0 Learning Outcomes
By the end of the topics, you should be able to:
1. Identify the fundamental elements of Islamic teaching.
2. Discuss Aqidah, Shari’ah and Akhlaq
3. Explain the different functions of Aqidah, Shari’ah and Akhlaq
4. Explain the relationship between them
3.0 List of Topics
3.1 The Meaning and Concept of ‘Aqidah
3.2 The Meaning and Concept of Shari’ah
3.3 The Meaning and Concept of Akhlaq
3.4 The Relationship between Aqidah, Shari’ah and Akhlaq
4.0 Terminologies
4.1 Unlawful
Things that is prohibited i.e haram
4.2 Prostitution
The act or practice of being available for sexual services with another person in return for
payment.
4.3 Aurah
Part of the body that must be covered by Muslims
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5.0 Topics
5.1 The Meaning and Concept of ‘Aqidah
5.1.1
Presentation
What is Aqidah? It is a belief. Let’s look at its meaning and as usual, we will see its literal
and technical meaning. Literally, ‘aqidah means to tie or to bind. Technically, it means a
strong belief in the heart. Allah states in the Qur'an:
‫عقَدَتْ أ َ ْي َمانُ ُك ْم‬
َ َ‫َوا َّل ِذين‬
"And as for those whom your right hands was pledged [‘aqadat]" (Nisa : 33)
According to Muslim scholars, ‘Aqidah is a firm creed that one’s heart is fixed upon
without any wavering or doubt.
In Islam, the ‘aqidah of a Muslim is comprised in the six pillars of Iman. Can you still
recall the six pillars? As a Muslim, you must know and have a strong belief in the six
pillars of faith. You know that faith without action is useless, the same thing with Aqidah.
If it is alone, it is meaningless. If you only have faith in Allah, in hereafter, in Messengers
or so on, but you do not do any action that supports or strengthens your faith, then it will
not last longer. For example, we believe in the six pillars of Iman but we do not perform
the five daily prayers, thus it is not a sign of having aqidah.
By having ‘Aqidah, a person is considered a mu’min and muslim. Once he/she has
become a Muslim, his/her life is guided by Islamic laws that contain religious obligations
and duties that must be fulfilled as well as the ways of performing the duties. The law is
called Shari’ah. Shari’ah will inform the believer his/her obligations of a Muslim, for
instance, to perform the five daily prayers. How to perform and what are the rules of
performing shalat are found in Shari’ah, not in ‘aqidah. Thus, it is not sufficient to be a
Muslim by having ‘aqidah only. ‘Aqidah is supported by ‘Shari’ah.
Shari’ah? Let’s see what Shari’ah is.
5.1.2
Activities
List down the six pillars of Iman and explain the meaning of each.
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Anyway, what is
5.2. The Meaning Shari’ah
5.2.1
Presentation
Literally, Shari’ah is a direction to be followed. Technically, the sanctions or laws provided
by Allah s.w.t to guide mankind with a proper direction. In general, Shari’ah is a system of
life set which is based on the revelation of Allah SWT and was delivered to mankind
through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his tradition. Shari’ah came with the
ultimate aim to preserve the very basic things in human life that is religion, soul, mind,
property and descendents in order to ensure that the human live in peace and tranquility.
Thus, Shari’ah came with laws to guide the mankind. The peace and tranquility can only
be achieved if the entire human follow the laws.
To ease Muslims understand Shariah, majority of Muslim scholars have divided Shari’ah
to four divisions. They are:
(a) Ibadah (law relating to worship)
It refers to the rules and procedures of performing worship. It is of two types that is
specific ibadah and general ibadah. Specific Ibadah is a type of ibadah in which it
has specific rules and regulations in performing it such as prayer, fasting, performing
pilgrimage, giving out zakah, ‘aqiqah and so on. General ibadah, on the other hand,
is a type of ibadah which does not have specific rules and procedures. It includes all
human daily activities such as learning, working, drinking, eating, marriage, playing,
sleeping and many others. All those activities will be considered as ibadah if they are
performed in accordance with Allah’s Wills and for the sake of Allah SWT, means
with the intention to seek Allah SWT pleasure and not against the teachings of Islam.
In short, anything we do, be it eating, working, sleeping and so on are ibadah and
bring us reward from Allah SWT if does not against the Islamic teachings. For
instance, playing football is an ibadah if our intention is to make our body healthy and
we cover our aurah properly while playing as required by Islam. Why we do want
health body? The reason is we want to perform ibadah. If we have this kind of
intention (niyyah), it is an ibadah and is rewarded. On the other hand, if we work at
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night club or be a prostitute, it is not an ibadah because it against the Islamic
teachings and even the income is unlawful (haram).
(b) Mu’amalat
Mu’amalat is laws relating to human mutual dealings or bilateral contracts between
two parties or more in buying and selling, rental, lending and borrowing,
management, administration and so on. In Mu’amalat, there are rules that must be
obeyed for the benefit of contracted parties. For example, you want to rent your
house to others. The law is permissible to rent a house but if you know the house will
be used for prostitution, it is unlawful to rent the house.
(c) Munakahat
It is laws concerning marriage in Islam such as the law on proposing a woman and its
conditions, conditions of marriage, rights of husband and wife, child custody and
many others.
(d) Jinayat
It is a criminal code that concerns on court procedures and punishment on those who
commit crimes such as punishment for murdering another person, committing
adultery, theft, drinking alcohol and so on.
Are you clear with above explanation? It can be understood here that shari’ah is the
collection of all commandments Allah revealed to man in al-Qur’an.
5.2.2
Activities
Find more information about the four divisions of shari’ah and discuss with your
classmates.
5.3 Meaning of Akhlaq
5.3.1
Presentation
After understanding aqidah and shari’ah, what else will complete yourself as a Muslim? It
is Akhlaq. Completion of akhlaq of mankind is one of the main missions of Prophet
Muhammad SAW (peace be upon him). You surely know that it means behaviour,
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custom or habit, but do you know that the real meaning of akhlaq. Let us see what is the
meaning of akhlaq.
Literally, it means custom, behaviuor, attitude or character. Technically, it implies
behaviuor, attitude or character or custom which is based on al-Qur’an and Sunnah. Allah
(s.w.t) decreed:
‫ق َع ِظ ٍيم‬
ٍ ُ‫َو ِإنَّ َك لَ َعلى ُخل‬
“And verily, you (Muhammad) are on the exalted (standard of character)” (Qalam:4)
According to Imam al-Ghazali, akhlaq
is an established state of the nafs (soul) from
which the action proceeds easily without any deliberation. Can you understand the above
definition? It can be summarized that akhlaq is not just an action or ability of doing the
action but it involves the soul. Look at the diagrams below so that, you may be able to
understand the meaning of akhlaq:
GOOD SOUL
EVIL SOUL
+
BAD ACTION/HABIT/CUSTOM
=
+
GOOD ACTION/HABIT/CUSTOM
=
GOOD SOUL
(which is based on
true aqidah)
5.3.2
+
GOOD ACTION/HABIT/CUSTOM
(which is based al-Quran and
Sunnah)
BAD AKHLAQ
BAD AKHLAQ
=
GOOD AKHLAQ
Activities
a) Good akhlaq is an outcome of good soul. Bad akhlaq is an outcome of bad soul. Is
that true? Discuss it and give your argument.
b) Is there any case where a person who has bad soul behaves with bad akhlaq?
c) Can you explain what is the source of good soul?
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5.4 The Relationship between Aqidah, Shari’ah and Akhlaq
5.4.1
Presentation
Now let us understand the relationship between aqidah, shari’ah and akhlaq. Do you
aware that they have a close relationship? Yes, they really complement each other,
without one of them, your Islam is not complete. The relationship can be summarized as
follow:
AQIDAH (A)
SHARIAH (B)
AKHLAQ (C)
A. AQIDAH
(i) Aqidah is the essence of Islamic teaching in which shariah and akhlaq are
meaningless without it.
(ii) Aqidah represents the soul of the body, without soul body is not well functioned.
(iii) Aqidah concerns with the matter of belief that needs to be manifested.
B. SHARI’AH
(i) Shariah is also important, without it aqidah and akhlaq are useless.
(ii) It is a practical side or manifestation of aqidah
(iii) It governs the physicals activities and human dealing with the others
(iv) It proves and strengthens aqidah
C. AKHLAQ
(i) Akhlaq is also important, without it aqidah and shariah are useless.
(ii) It is a practical side or manifestation of aqidah
(iii) It governs the spiritual and physical activities that are not governed by shariah
(e.g. jealousy, anger, manners of eating, etc)
(iv) It also proves and strengthens aqidah
(v) It completes shariah.
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5.4.2
Activities
“Mr. Naim never missed performing congregational prayer at mosque in his village. He
always listens to religious talk at the mosque after every Maghrib prayer. However, is a
hot-tempered person. When he talks to his neighbours, he talks with harsh words and
even he always skeptical about his neighbours”
Based on your understanding of the relationship between aqidah, shari’ah and akhlaq,
does the behavior of Mr. Naim portray the relationship of those three words? Discuss.
6.0 Lesson Summary
From the discussion above, we have learnt that aqidah, shari’ah and akhlaq are interrelated. They complement each other. Aqidah without shari’ah and akhlaq is meaningless
and vice versa. A Muslim is not considered as a true Muslim if any of the fundamentals of
Islam are ignored. Thus, it is compulsory to all Muslims to equip themselves with the
knowledge of those three fundamentals.
7.0 Self Assessment
7.1
Which of the following true about aqidah?
A.
B.
C.
D.
It is different with iman
The first division of Islamic teachings
It refers to belief in the five pillars of Islam
It is sufficient for a Muslim just to learn about aqidah
Answer: B
7.2
Two types of Islamic Ibadah is general and _______________
A.
B.
C.
D.
literal ibadah
specific ibadah
technical ibadah
contextual ibadah
Answer: B
7.3 Which one of these practices is not under the category of specific ibadah?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Five daily prayers
Reciting al-Qur’an
Recommended prayer
Working to earn halal income
Answer: D
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7.4
The conditions of general ibadah are ___________
A.
B.
C.
D.
True intention and honesty
Bad intention and lawful action.
Pure intention for the sake of Allah and unlawful action.
Muslim, pure intention for the sake of Allah and lawful action.
Answer: D
7.5
Shariah is needed by man because it
A.
B.
C.
D.
____________
limits man’s freedom
controls man’s freedom
ensures happiness of life
shows the power of Allah
Answer: C
7.6
The fundamental of Islamic teachings that explain the procedures and ways of performing
ibadah is ____________
A. Aqidah
B. Shari’ah
C. Akhlaq
D. Ibadah
Answer: B
7.7
Which of the following statement is true about akhlaq?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Bad soul lead to good akhlaq
To have good akhlaq, knowledge about shari’ah is not needed
Good knowledge of ‘aqidah and constantly performing ibadah lead to good akhlaq
Having strong ‘aqidah but perform the religious duties occasionally will also lead to
good akhlaq
Answer: C
7.8
“an established state of the nafs (soul) from which the action proceeds easily without any
deliberation”
The statement above refers to ______________
A. Aqidah
B. Akhlaq
C. Ibadah
D. Shari’ah
Answer: D
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