This two part set of audio’s titled ʿAqīdah First’ is an essential listen for the beginner to Islām and the one who has been practicing the religion. The Shaykh emphasizes the dire need for the Ummah to recognise and act upon the ʿAqīdah (belief) and Manhaj (methodology) that the Qurʾān and the Sunnah has laid down for the Muslim nation.
Shaykh Muḥammad Amān explains that the problems Muslim nations are living through are many and the discussions to solve those problems are many. The problems are at a macro and micro level including; the ways in which the nation is governed and everything that is connected to governing the nation, and also the problems faced within communities and families. He stresses that — before addressing all of these problems the nation has — is to realise the importance of understanding ʿAqīdah, studying it, and acting upon it. Hence, ʿAqīdah comes first and all matters follow after having the correct ʿAqīdah and Manhaj. The rectification of the ʿAqīdah and Manhaj of the people will lead to the rectification of the Ummah.
Shaykh Muḥammad Amān also deals with the subject of ʿIrjā; the belief that actions are not a part of the category of Īmān (faith and belief). He gives detailed examples of how many people fall into this belief known as ʿAqīdah al-ʿIrjā without even realising that they have fallen into this misguided belief.
In the second audio, Shaykh Muḥammad Amān (raḥimahullāh) gives a detailed explanation that Īmān consists of speech and action it increases and decreases. He provides the proof based on three ayaat of the Qurʾān from Sūrah al-al-Anfāl.
The believers are only those who, when Allāh is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur’ân) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone); Who perform Al-Ṣalāt (Iqāmat al-Ṣalāt) and spend out of that We have provided them. It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and Forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise).
[Al-Anfāl 8:2-4]
He continues then by explaining the distorted and misguided understanding of the Qadariyyah and the Jabariyyah as it relates to their belief in Īmān. This is a powerful and necessary reminder of the importance of learning the ʿAqīdah and Tawḥīd in Allāh first before all other matters, particularly in these times and in every age, when the multitude of misguided groups and people lead nations into destruction, carnage, massacre and refuge is sort with Allāh (subḥānahu wa ta’ala) alone from such evil.
Qurʾān’ic references pasted from: www.noblequran.com