A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The perceptions that creed cultivates.
The sound creed is firmly rooted in human nature,
solely because man is in need of it,
to populate his heart,
and from it, his perceptions and actions emerge.
It provides him with a comprehensive interpretation of his life and destiny,
and of the universe around him,
and of his relationship—and that of the universe—with Allah, the Supreme Creator.
The first perception this creed establishes
is the realization of the reality of the Lord,
and the reality of the universe in which man lives,
both what he observes within it and what is hidden from him,
and the reality of the life to which he belongs, in its present and its unseen aspects.
And finally,
his realization of the reality of his own self, which he carries within,
and the purpose of his existence and his ultimate destiny.
Among the most vital perceptions established by the creed
is taking Allah alone as one’s deity,
and negating divinity from anything other than Allah, the Exalted.
Thus, servitude is directed to Allah alone,
and to no one else.
Among these perceptions, too,
is the realization that sovereignty belongs to Allah alone,
and to none of His servants.
Furthermore, the creed maps out for the individual goals greater than his own self,
broader than his own generation,
and more sublime and elevated than his current reality.
It links these goals to the Essence of Allah, the Most High,
from whom the individual receives the system of his life,
the methodology of his thought and conduct,
and the rites of his worship.
He realizes that Allah maintains surveillance and control over him.
Yet, with all this, the individual
loves his Lord, the Author of this system, surveillance, and control,
and he loves and hates for His sake,
fears Him, and guards against His wrath,
seeks His pleasure,
asks for His aid in goodness and righteousness,
feels ashamed to confront Him with evil,
and hopes for His just reward,
which compensates him for what he misses in his struggle against evil in this worldly life.
Among what the creed also establishes
is the realization that whims and emotions are governed by the creed,
not the other way around.
Finally, this creed
affirms the reality of submission to Allah’s choice in every matter,
as the Almighty said:
“Thy Lord bringeth to pass what He willeth and chooseth. They have never any choice. Glorified be Allah and Exalted above all that they associate (with Him)!” (28:68)
“Thy Lord bringeth to pass what He willeth and chooseth. They have never any choice. Glorified be Allah and Exalted above all that they associate (with Him)!” (28:68)
No one has the right to suggest anything to Allah,
nor to add or subtract,
or to alter or change anything in His creation.
For it is Allah who chooses from His creation whom He wills,
for whatever functions, tasks,
duties, and stations He wills.
If this truth were firmly settled in the souls of mankind,
people would not be resentful of anything that befalls them,
nor would they be arrogant about what they attain with their own hands,
nor would they be saddened by what they miss.
For they are not the ones who choose;
rather, it is Allah who chooses.
This does not mean
that they should abandon their intellects, wills, and activities,
or fail to employ legitimate means.
Rather, it means
that they should accept what occurs after they have exerted
all that is within their capacity of thought, planning, and choice.
Thus, they receive everything that happens to them
with contentment, submission, and acceptance.
For they are only held accountable for what is within their capacity,
while the command and the choice belong to Allah alone.