Ibn Abil-'Izz (died 792 AH)
- may God be pleased with him - said:
“Knowledge of Usool-ud-Deen
(the fundamentals of the religion) is the most noble branch of knowledge, since the excellence of a certain
type of knowledge depends upon what it is concerned with, and this is the greater Fiqh (understanding) , which is why lmaam Abu Haneefah (died
150AH)
- may God be pleased with him - called that which he compiled concerning Usool-ud-Deen:
“al-Fiqhul- Akbar" (The
Greatest Fiqh). The need of the servants for this knowledge is greater than
every other need;
and it is the most necessary of all things for them, since there is no life for the hearts, nor any delight,
nor any tranquillity,
except through knowing their Lord,
the One to be worshipped,
their Creator - with His Names,
His Attributes and His Actions,
and that He - along with all that - is more beloved to the person than anything
else. So man’s striving is with
regards to everything that will draw him nearer to God, to the exclusion of the creation.
However, it is impossible for the minds to come to know and
understand all that in detail, so
the Most Merciful,
the Most Majestic - from His mercy, sent
Messengers to teach that and call to it;
and to give good news to those who accept their Call and to warn those who
reject it. The key to their Call and the essence of their message was the
servant’s drawing closer to Almighty God - the Most
Perfect - through His Names,
Attributes and Actions,
since all that the Messengers were ordered with is built upon this. This then
is followed by two great principles: Firstly: Knowing the path
that leads to Him and that is the Sharee’ah
(Islamic Law and Way) which is comprised of His orders and prohibitions.
Secondly: That those following the path know what lies in store
for them, which is endless bliss. So the people who know God
best are the ones who best follow the way to Him; and know best what lies at
the end of the way.”
1
1.Sharhul-‘Aqeedatul-Tahaawiyyah
(p. 69).
SOURCE: SalafiPublications.com
Full article here>> https://hayaa0285.blogspot.com/2018/10/purification-through-tawheed-mankinds.html
