Aqeedah Wasitiyyah: A Doctrinal Weapon in the Battle of Truth and Falsehood

Imam Ibn Taymiyyah’s Aqeedah Wasitiyyah is a monumental work that outlines the core beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah and intellectually refutes deviant ideologies.

Throughout history, the truth has always faced opposition from falsehood. In the early days of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions endured immense persecution. Yet, after the Hijrah to Madinah, Islam emerged as a rising force. However, the existence of truth has always been intolerable to falsehood, and Muslims had to defend their faith bravely.

In just thirty years, Islam had spread across three continents. Realizing that military confrontation was futile, adversaries resorted to intellectual warfare. They questioned God’s existence, denied prophethood, challenged the integrity of the Sahabah, and used philosophy to distort Islamic beliefs.

Some Muslims fell under the influence of these ideas and abandoned correct teachings. In this climate, a judge from the city of Wasit urged Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah to author a book clarifying true Islamic beliefs. Responding to the call, Ibn Taymiyyah composed Aqeedah Wasitiyyah, named after the city of Wasit.

The book was written during a time when deviant sects were challenging the attributes of Allah and other fundamental Islamic beliefs using philosophical reasoning. Innovations were rampant, and many Muslims confused falsehood with Islam. Ibn Taymiyyah powerfully addressed this crisis by laying out orthodox beliefs and critiquing deviant sects with strong rational and scriptural arguments.

He emphasized that the divine attributes must be affirmed exactly as described in the Qur’an, without alteration, denial, or anthropomorphism. He stated that faith in Allah, His angels, books, messengers, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree (qadr) — both its good and bad — is essential.

Ibn Taymiyyah’s writing style was concise yet comprehensive, and his arguments were grounded in both revelation and reason. He effectively countered the views of groups like the Mu’tazilah and Khawarij.

Scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah have widely praised Aqeedah Wasitiyyah. Prominent Deobandi scholar Maulana Yusuf Ludhianvi noted that the book presents tawheed and divine attributes in the best manner based on Qur’an and Sunnah. Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi called it a “reformative cry” in times of deviation. Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan described it as one of the foundational texts of Sunni creed.

Anyone seeking strength and clarity in matters of faith should read this book. Authentic Urdu commentaries, including one by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen, are now readily available for study and reflection.