Revision notes for "The Four Principles" (Al-Qawaid Al-Arba'aa) by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab

 

Revision notes:

The 4 fundamental Principles by Muhammad ibn Al Wahhab

 

Introduction

·         The author makes tremendous dua for the readers for Allah to protect and care for you

·         Then mentions 3 things that are the keys to happiness

 

1.      To be grateful when you are given

We should be constantly grateful for the blessing we have; a peaceful environment, safety, our body, health, and people around us.

2.      To be patient when you are tested

The worldly life is a place of tests

‘Do people think that they will say ‘we believe’ and will be left without being tested?’ (29:2)

3.      To seek forgiveness if you sin

We will all fall into sin but if you do you must seek forgiveness.

Open sinner – is constantly sinning

Righteous sinner – not in public

 

Definition of Haneefiyyah:

To turn to Allah – which necessitates turning away from SHIRK/ falsehood.

Haneefiyyah is the foundation of the religion – to worship Allah alone.

Ibrahim (AS) – Haneef was name given to him

 

Definitions:

Ibadah: (Ibn Taymiyyah’s definition)

A comprehensive term for everything that Allah loves and is pleased with  - in heart and actions – hidden and open

Tawheed:

To single out Allah in the things that are specific to him  - in worship, names and attributes and lordship

Shirk:

To direct ibadah to other than Allah

Analogy:

Effect of shirk on worship:

If you know that Allah created you for worship (51:56), know that worship is not without Tawheed.

There is no salah without Wudoo

 

The greatest thing forbidden is SHIRK, this is why we must learn about it as it causes eternal punishment in the fire.

 

There are 4 principles in this book that refute and combat doubts concerning SHIRK

 

1^st Principle

Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah (belief Allah exists and his actions)  is not enough to enter someone in Jannah.

The Quraysh that fought the Prophet ﷺ believed in Allah  - they believed in Rubobbiyah  - (that Allah is creator, controller, provider) BUT this is not enough and they were deemed non- Muslim as Ruboobiyyah alone is not enough. The Kuffar of Quraysh would worship idols too.

FOR a person to be deemed Muslim – they need Uloohiyyah  - worship directed to Allah

Ruboobiyyah necessitates Uloohiyyah

 

2^nd Principle

They claim made by contemporary polytheists:

‘We are not directing worship to these deities; we only do this to get closer to Allah’

They say they seek nearness to Allah through others than Allah – THIS IS DISBELIEF

 

Shafa’aa – intercession

Shafa’aa is from Allah and has wisdoms

The wisdom is that:

1.      Honour for the person interceding

2.      Means for mercy for the one being interceded for

3.      Conditions are correct

4.      Wisdom behind shafaa

 

 

There is 2 conditions for Shafa’aa to be accepted:

1.      Allah is pleased with the one doing the intercession and the one seeking it is on TAWHEED.

2.      Allah gave permission for the intercession

 

It will be rejected if someone is upon shirk

 

3^rd Principle

The Prophet ﷺ did not differentiate between worshipping objects or deities. There is no difference in what is being worshipped in SHIRK.

The Prophet ﷺ equally fought against anyone who worshipped other than Allah.

 

Shubuhaat: Certain doubt: They say

We don’t worship idols like the kuffar of Quraysh, we worship righteous people to get closer to Allah.

Among His signs are the day and the night, the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them ˹all˺, if you ˹truly˺ worship Him ˹alone˺. (41:37)

 

And ˹on Judgment Day˺ Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you ever ask the people to worship you and your mother as gods besides Allah?” He will answer, “Glory be to You! How could I ever say what I had no right to say? If I had said such a thing, you would have certainly known it. You know what is ˹hidden˺ within me, but I do not know what is within You. Indeed, You ˹alone˺ are the Knower of all unseen. (5:116)

 

4^th Principle

Mushrikeen commit shirk at times of ease but at times of hardship and difficulty worship Allah alone. –

If they happen to be aboard a ship ˹caught in a storm˺, they cry out to Allah ˹alone˺ in sincere devotion. But as soon as He delivers them ˹safely˺ to shore, they associate ˹others with Him once again˺. (29:65)

Contemporary mushrikeen are actually worse than the Quraysh

In times of difficulty Quraysh would turn to Allah.

Now when difficulties increase, the SHIRK increases. They call upon Hassan, Hussein, Abdel Kader.

Some people they worship are not even righteous people but CORRUPT.

Their leaders believe once they get to a certain level, they no longer have to pray/ fast.

All major sins are less than SHIRK

 

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah, the Exalted, has said: 'O son of adam, I forgive you as long as you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness, whatever sins you have committed. O son of 'Adam, I do not care if your sins reach the height of the heaven, then you ask for my forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of 'Adam, if you come to Me with an earth load of sins, and meet Me associating nothing to Me, I would match it with an earthload of forgiveness."'

[At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan].

 Riyad as-Salihin 442

Any benefit is from Allah - all mistakes are from me