This course is based on Al-‘Aqeedah Al-Wasitiyyah by Ibn Taymiyyah. It explains the core beliefs of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, covering Allah’s names and attributes, angels, prophets, the Day of Judgment and divine destiny, all from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Ibn Taymiyyah wrote it after a judge from Wasit asked for a simple guide to correct Islamic beliefs.
Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah’s (may Allah have mercy on him) book Al-Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah is very valuable. It is one of the best summaries about the Aqeedah (beliefs) of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah. In it, Ibn Taymiyyah carefully explained the topics, brought clear proofs from the Qur’an and Sunnah, and clearly showed what the correct Aqeedah is.
He did not write the book on his own. A righteous man asked him to write a short, clear book on Aqeedah that could be memorized, studied, and understood. At first, Ibn Taymiyyah refused because many great scholars before him had already written Aqeedah books. He told the man to just take one of those. But the man insisted and kept asking. Finally, Ibn Taymiyyah agreed.
That man was a judge named Radiyyuddeen Al-Waasitee (may Allah have mercy on him). He was from a city called Waasit, located between Basra and Kufa. While traveling for Hajj, he met Ibn Taymiyyah in Damascus and told him about the problems in his land. He said that ignorance, corruption, and wrongdoing were spreading under the rule of the Tartars, and he wanted a book on Aqeedah that would help him, his family, and his people. Ibn Taymiyyah again told him to use the books of earlier scholars, but the man said, “I only want a book written by you.” So Ibn Taymiyyah wrote Al-Waasitiyyah in one sitting, right after Asr prayer. The book was copied by hand and spread to places like Egypt and Iraq during his lifetime.
1. Why the scholars wrote books
Scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah didn’t write books just to write a lot or show off. They only wrote when there was a real need. Ibn Taymiyyah even said, “I have never written a book except when someone asked me.” That’s why many of his books are named after the places of the people who requested them, such as Al-Waasitiyyah (for the man from Waasit), Al-Hamawiyyah, At-Tadmuriyyah, and others. People in his time trusted his knowledge and sincerity, so they asked him to explain important matters.
The Aqeedah is very important because it connects people to Allah with true belief. When people don’t know Allah properly, corruption and misguidance spread in society. Correct Aqeedah brings safety, good actions, good manners, and peace of heart. This is why the judge from Waasit asked for a book on Aqeedah—he saw it as the cure for the problems in his land.
2. The power of sincere intention
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Actions are judged by intentions.” Having a sincere intention is a great blessing. Radiyyuddeen Al-Waasitee asked for this book with a pure heart, wanting to help his people. Because of that, Allah blessed his request. Even though he wasn’t a famous scholar or writer, his name is remembered today because of this request. People ask Allah to have mercy on him until now. His intention led to huge benefit for generations.
3. Respect for the earlier scholars
Ibn Taymiyyah respected the earlier Imaams of the Sunnah so much that at first he didn’t want to write his own book. He said their works were already enough. But when Radiyyuddeen insisted, he agreed to write.
4. Don’t rush to write
Even though Ibn Taymiyyah was one of the greatest scholars, he didn’t rush to write unless there was a clear reason and need. This teaches students of knowledge to only write when it’s really necessary.
5. The blessing in Ibn Taymiyyah’s life
Allah blessed his knowledge and writings. Some of his books are so detailed that a person might think they took months to write, but many were written in just one sitting. Al-Waasitiyyah itself was written after just one Asr prayer sitting.
Course Outline
