Questioner: What are the most important books of ʿaqīdah which a student of knowledge should read at the beginning stages of seeking knowledge?
Shaykh Ṣāliḥ ibn Fawzān ibn ʿAbd Allah al-Fawzān: Among the most important books is Kitāb at-Tawḥīd by Shaykh Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb (d. 1206 AH/1792 CE), concerning Tawḥīd al-ʿIbādah. Also, al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah by Shaykh al-Islām Taqī ad-Dīn Aḥmad ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728 AH/1328 CE), which encompasses all major chapters of ʿaqīdah, and al-ʿAqīdah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwiyyah by Imām Abū Jaʿfar Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Salāmah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī (d. 321 AH/933 CE).
Then, one should study the explanations of these works: al-ʿAqīdah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwiyyah, Kitāb at-Tawḥīd, and al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah, so that the student may benefit himself and others and proceed with clarity in his religious affairs.
This matter is not easy, for ahead of us is the questioning and answering that will take place when we are placed in our graves. How will we respond? Therefore, it is obligatory to give this matter due importance and to prepare for it.
Questioner: What are the best explanations of Kitāb at-Tawḥīd, al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah, and al-ʿAqīdah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwiyyah?
Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān: As for Kitāb at-Tawḥīd, among its most valuable explanations is Fatḥ al-Majīd fī Sharḥ Kitāb at-Tawḥīd. It is the best commentary: simple, concise, and clear. Whoever wishes for greater detail may refer to Taysīr al-ʿAzīz al-Ḥamīd fī Sharḥ Kitāb at-Tawḥīd by Shaykh Sulaymān ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb (d. 1233 AH/1818 CE), from which Fatḥ al-Majīd was abridged.
Regarding al-ʿAqīdah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwiyyah, the commentary of Ṣadr ad-Dīn ʿAlī ibn ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad ibn Abī al-ʿIzz al-Ḥanafī (d. 792 AH/1390 CE) is the best. It is reliable, highly beneficial, and follows the methodology of the Salaf.
As for al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah, its text is itself clear. Nevertheless, it has beneficial contemporary explanations, such as the commentary of Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn (d. 1421 AH/2001 CE) and the commentary of Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Nāṣir ar-Rashīd (d. 1408 AH/1987 CE). These are valuable and beneficial explanations.
Scholarly Endorsement of at-Tanbīhāt as-Saniyyah
Shaykh Ṣāliḥ ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl ash-Shaykh stated:
“This blessed treatise on ʿaqīdah has many explanations, and among the most beneficial and eloquent of them is the work entitled at-Tanbīhāt as-Saniyyah ʿalā al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah by the Shaykh and ʿAllāmah ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ar-Rashīd. It is indeed among the most beneficial commentaries on al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah. It clarifies the key points of this creed in a manner sufficient for the student of knowledge in understanding the matters of iʿtiqād. Due to the extensive knowledge contained within it, a student who suffices with it in clarifying the creed of Ahl as-Sunnah wa-l-Jamāʿah will find it adequate. For this reason, I strongly encourage anyone seeking an explanation of this treatise to obtain this book.” [Ṣāliḥ Āl ash-Shaykh, Al-Laʾāliʾ al-Bahiyyah fī Sharḥ al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah, pp. 15–16.]
Methodological Significance
These foundational texts and their authoritative commentaries form the core curriculum for students of ʿaqīdah upon the methodology of Ahl as-Sunnah wa-l-Jamāʿah. They combine textual evidence from the Qurʾān and Sunnah, scholarly consensus, and the understanding of the Salaf aṣ-Ṣāliḥ, providing clarity in belief and firmness upon sound methodology.
Through systematic study of these works, the student develops sound theological grounding, intellectual discipline, and preparedness for accountability before Allah .
References
Ṣāliḥ ibn Fawzān ibn ʿAbd Allah al-Fawzān, Kutub al-ʿAqīdah wa-Manhajiyyat al-Istifādah Minhā, recorded discussion.
ʿAbd ar-Raḥmān ibn Ḥasan Āl ash-Shaykh (d. 1285 AH/1869 CE), Fatḥ al-Majīd fī Sharḥ Kitāb at-Tawḥīd.
Ṣāliḥ ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl ash-Shaykh, Al-Laʾāliʾ al-Bahiyyah fī Sharḥ al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah, pp. 15–16.
Ibn Abī al-ʿIzz al-Ḥanafī, Ṣadr ad-Dīn ʿAlī ibn ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad (d. 792 AH/1390 CE), Sharḥ al-ʿAqīdah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwiyyah.
Ibn Taymiyyah, Taqī ad-Dīn Aḥmad (d. 728 AH/1328 CE), Al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah.
Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn (d. 1421 AH/2001 CE), Sharḥ al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah.
Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb (d. 1206 AH/1792 CE), Kitāb at-Tawḥīd.
ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Nāṣir ar-Rashīd (d. 1408 AH/1987 CE), At-Tanbīhāt as-Saniyyah ʿalā al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah.
Sulaymān ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb (d. 1233 AH/1818 CE), Taysīr al-ʿAzīz al-Ḥamīd fī Sharḥ Kitāb at-Tawḥīd.
Aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī, Abū Jaʿfar Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Salāmah (d. 321 AH/933 CE), Al-ʿAqīdah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwiyyah.
