i. Literal Meaning of Aqeedah:
The word 'Aqeedah' is taken from 'Aqad' which means 'to tie' or 'to knot'. Therefore the literal meaning of Aqeedah is "a tied object or a knotted object".
ii. Conventional meanings of Belief (Aqeeda ): A Person's firm and rigid concepts / ideologies that may contain the level of Faith and assurance are called Belief..
iii. Causes Of Actions / Deeds: A Man's every deed is the reflection of his ideologies. These beliefs control the heart & soul of a man. Deeds are the outcome of belief
iv. Example of Belief (Aqeeda)
The example of belief is Just like a seed and the deed/ action is a plant that grows from that very seed. Obviously the plant carries the characteristics that are hidden in the seed. The Deed of a person reflects his/her belief.
v. The basic Preaching of all the Prophets.
All the Prophets of Allah started their Preaching by correcting the concepts of belief. Even when Hazrat Muhammad started to convey the message of his prophethood in Makkah, the first and foremost thing he was there to address was the purification of belief.
vi. The Preliminary Islamic beliefs:
There are five basic beliefs in Islam.
Unity or Oneness Of Allah
Prophets
Angels
Revealed books
Life after Death.
Reference from The Holy Quran
ولكن البِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالمَليكة والكتب والتبين ( القره: 177)
Translation:... but it is righteousness- to believe In Allah and the Last Day, and the angels, and the Book, and the Messengers.......
