The Correct Creed that Every Muslim Must Know
Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam Ibn Burjiss
With Notes From Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Ramzaan al-Haajuree
Translated By ‘Umar Bryant
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form, or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, without prior permission from the publisher.
1st Edition: April 2013 | E-Book Edition: October 2013
ISBN: 978-1-927012-27-7
Translator’s Preface
A Brief Biography of Shaykh Dr. ‘Abdus-Salaam Ibn Burjiss Ibn Naasir Aali ‘Abdil-Kareem
His Name and Lineage
His Early Studies
His Positions and Advanced Studies
His Books and Writings
His Verifications
Author’s Introduction
The Correct Belief Regarding: Tawheed ar-Rooboobiyyah
The Polytheists Never Disputed Tawheed Ar-Rooboobiyyah
The Belief of the Polytheists that Their Gods Intercede for Them before Allaah and Not Because They Create and Provide
The Benefits of Allaah Affirming Tawheed ar-Rooboobiyyah
The Invalidity of Shirk in Rooboobiyyah, Intellectually and Textually (Based upon the Verses)
The Correct Belief Regarding: Tawheed al-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat
The First Principle
The Second Principle
The Third Principle
Describing His Ascension above the Throne
The Meaning of ‘Istiwaa’
Not Knowing How this Istiwaa Took Place
The Attributes of Hearing and Seeing
The Meaning of the Attribute of Hearing
The Meaning of the Attribute of Seeing
The Correct Belief Regarding: Tawheed al-Ilaahiyyah
The Opposite of Tawheed Is Associating Partners with Allaah
Who Is a Polytheist?
Du’aa Is Not to be Directed to Anyone Except Allaah
Messengers Were Sent for the Sake of This Aspect of Tawheed
The Polytheists Have no Argument Supporting Their Shirk
The Correct Belief Regarding: The Six Pillars of Eemaan (Faith)
Belief in Allaah
Belief in the Angels
Description of the Angels
Description of the Creation of the Angels
Allaah Refutes the Polytheists Who Say, “The Angels are Allaah’s Daughters”
Jibreel, ‘Alayhis-Salaam
Mikaa’eel, ‘Alayhis-Salaam
Israafil, ‘Alayhis-Salaam
The Angel of Death, ‘Alayhis-Salaam
The Guardian Angels, ‘Alayhimus-Salaam
The Honorable Scribes, ‘Alayhimus-Salaam
Whoever Rejects the Existence of Angels Has Disbelieved
Belief in the Revealed Books
The Revealed Books Are the Speech of Allaah Ta’aala
Types of Revelation
The Books Confirm One Another
The Names of Allaah’s Books
The Noble Qur’an Is the Final Book and It Abrogates All Other Books
The Qur’an Is a Miracle
The Qur’an Is Protected
Belief in the Messengers
Virtues of the Prophets
The Call of the Messengers Agreed in the Foundation of the Religion
The Number of Prophets and Messengers
The Difference between a Prophet and a Messenger
Names of the Prophets and Messengers
The Prophets and Messengers Were Men Whom Allaah Blessed with Prophethood and the Message
Our Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) Is the Seal of the Prophets
The Sacred Pact of the Messengers with Our Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam)
Whoever Denies the Message of Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) Has Disbelieved
Whoever Claims Prophethood after Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) Has Disbelieved
Whoever Denies the Message of Any of the Prophets and Messengers Has Disbelieved
Belief in the Last Day
The Resurrection
Book of Deeds
The Scales
The Intercession
The Fountain
The Bridge
Belief in the Divine Predestination—Its Good and Its Bad: Qadr and Qadhaa’
Principles of al-Qadr
The Servant’s Deeds
That Which Has Been Written (Decreed) Should Not Prevent One from Actions
The Correct Belief Regarding: Eemaan (Faith)
The Increasing and Decreasing of Faith
Faith Is Not Simply Belief
Faith Is Not Simply Recognition
There Is Not Faith without Deeds
The Ruling of Actions
The Ruling of Takfeer
The Correct Belief Regarding: The Ruling of One Who Has Fallen into Major Sin
The One Who Commits a Major Sin Has Weak Faith
No Contradiction between One Being an Evil-Doer and a Muslim
The Categories of Disbelief, Shirk, Oppression, Evil, and Apostasy
Major Disbelief
Minor Disbelief
The Correct Belief Regarding: The Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam)
The Virtue of the Muhaajiroon
The Ruling of the One Who Hates the Companions
The Virtue of the Companions
Prohibition of Insulting the Companions
The Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) Bears Witness to Their Righteousness
Virtue of the Ansaar
Virtue of Those Who Gave Their Allegiance at Ridwaan
Classification of the Companions by Virtue
The Correct Belief Regarding: The Family of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
His (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) Wives Are from Ahlul-Bayt
The Correct Belief Regarding: The Blessings of Allaah’s Friends
Definition of Walee
Some of the Blessings that Allaah Has Given to His Awliyaa’
The Correct Belief Regarding: The Obligation Towards and Respect Given to the Leaders of the Muslims
Prohibition of Overthrowing the Rulers
The Punishments of One Who Overthrows the Ruler
Supplicating for the Rulers
Prohibition of Insulting the Rulers
Prohibition of Disputing About the Religion
Blameworthy Arguing
Debates from the Sharee’ah
Prohibition of Sitting with the People of Desires
Classification of the People of Desires
Permissibility of Avoiding Sitting with Them
Conclusion
Glossary of Important Arabic Words and Phrases
Upon completing the translation of this tremendous book, the translator, my beloved brother, teacher and companion, ‘Umar Bryant, requested that I write the translator’s preface for the book. Much like our Shaykh, Dr. ‘Abdus-Salaam Ibn Burjiss, ‘Umar passed away at a young age; he died at the age of thirty-eight on 6 Rajab 1431/18 June 2010. May Allaah have mercy upon them both and upon all the Muslims.
This book clarifies the belief of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah concerning an assortment of essential topics, from the six pillars of faith, takfeer upon the Muslim, belief concerning the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his family, and the obligation towards the Muslim rulers.
The notes to this book were written by our Shaykh, Muhammad Ramzaan, one of the mashaayikh ‘Umar was blessed to sit at the feet of and benefit from.
Translator notes are indicated as such.
The Muslims are in need of such a book to protect themselves and their families from the callers to misguidance.
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “There will be callers at the doors of the Fire, whoever responds to them will be cast therein.”1
This book is an ideal study guide for the Muslim who wishes to teach his family the creed of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah.
I ask Allah to reward the family of ‘Umar, Bashan ‘Abdullaah and Amanda Brown.
I ask Allah to preserve ‘Umar’s children, ‘Abdullaah, Janaan, Mu’aadh, Hanaa, Saara and Daania, upon the creed of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, until the day we all return to Allaah.
And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in faith, We shall join them together with their offspring [in Paradise] and We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in anything.
[Sooratut-Toor, 52:21]
Rasheed Ibn Estes Barbee
1 Hadeeth of Hudayfah Ibn Yamaan; collected by Ibn Maajah in “The Book of Trials” (hadeeth, 3979).
Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah were shocked when the news reached them of the death of the noble Shaykh, Dr. ‘Abdus-Salaam Ibn Burjiss Ibn Naasir Aali ‘Abdil-Kareem who died on Saturday night, the 3rd of Dhul-Hijjah 1425 (14th January 2005) in a terrible car accident while on his way from Ahsaa to Riyadh.
Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam was well-known to the scholars and shuyookh of this blessed country (Saudi Arabia). The proof for this was the large number of scholars and teachers who attended his funeral prayer. And I have heard some of the people of knowledge and virtue say about him: “The level of knowledge of Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam surpassed his age.”3
And it was also said about him: “Had he lived long, he would have been an ayah (proof/sign).” And I have seen a large number of scholars and students of knowledge affected by his loss. This was since he was a defender of the Sunnah, safeguarding it with his life, pen, and wealth. Allaah blessed me by allowing me to be close to the Shaykh for a period of time, which is considered short in comparison to the number of close friends and loved ones he had. During my closeness to him, whenever I would hear anything from him concerning his biography and personal information, I would write it down. So after a while, I had collected several pieces of information about him. And every time I would sit with him, I would remind him about that, and he would say to me: “I am not one whose biography should be recorded. I am less (significant) than that.”
However, I now feel that it is the least of my duties to him that I write this biography even though it has deficiencies in it. So I say, while seeking assistance from Allaah:
His Name and Lineage
He was Abu ‘Abdir-Rahmaan ‘Abdus-Salaam Ibn Burjiss Ibn Naasir Aali ‘Abdil-Kareem. He was born in Riyadh in 1387H as confirmed in his personal identity card. He was raised under the care of his parents, and their home was a place of religiousness and righteousness. Ever since his youth, the Shaykh was intelligent, determined, diligent, and hard-working.
His Early Studies
Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam memorized the Qur’an and began seeking knowledge at the age of thirteen. His teachers observed distinctive signs in him; thus, they gave him special attention and importance.
The Shaykh studied at the hands of a number of scholars in this blessed country, such as:
The Imaam and great scholar, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Ibn ‘Abdillaah Ibn Baaz (D. 1420H), may Allaah have mercy on him, whom he accompanied for a period of time, attending a number of his lessons, particularly his classes on Bulooghul-Maraam of Ibn Hajr, Tafseer Ibn Katheer, and other books.
Also, the scholar of Fiqh and Usool, Muhammad Ibn Saalih Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (D. 1421H); may Allaah have mercy on him. Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam travelled to him between the years 1401H and 1403H during the regular school breaks. He also maintained close contact with him when Shaykh Muhammad began his classes in al-Masjidul-Haraam in Makkah in 1402H. He also lived with him before he accompanied the Shaykh and his family to Makkah. This also includes the other times he spent with him. He studied Kitaab at-Tawheed with him, as well as Al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah and some statements from Zaad al-Mustaqni’ on Fiqh, al-Ajaroomiyyah on grammar, Shaykh Muhammad’s abridgement of Al-Qawaa’id of Ibn Rajab, and almost half of Saheeh al-Bukhaaree.
Shaykh Muhammad had great respect and esteem for Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam. I even saw this for myself.
He also kept close company with Shaykh ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Ibn Jibreen, whom he accompanied for a period of four years in which he read and studied the book At-Tawheed of Ibn Khuzaimah under him, as well as An-Nooniyyah of Ibn al-Qayyim, along with its explanation by Ibn ‘Eesaa. Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam memorized almost one thousand lines from it. He also studied Zaad al-Mustaqni’ along with (its explanation) Ar-Rawd al-Murabbi’ and Ma’aarijul-Qabool of Shaykh Haafidh al-Hakamee. Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam benefited immensely from Shaykh Ibn Jibreen.
Also among his teachers was the great scholar and Muhaddith, ‘Abdullaah Ibn Muhammad ad-Duwaysh (D. 1409H). He studied the Alfiyyah of al-‘Iraaqee and a portion of Sunan Abee Daawood under him during his scheduled school breaks in Buraydah.
He also studied under Shaykh Saalih Ibn ‘Abdir-Rahmaan al-Atram in the College of Sharee’ah of Imaam Muhammad Ibn Sa’ood University. He studied the notes on Ar-Rawd by Ibn Qaasim and attended his lessons in the masjid.
His teachers also included Fahd al-Humayn, may Allaah preserve him, under whom he studied Tawheed and Fiqh.
He also studied under Shaykh ‘Abdullaah Ibn Qu’ood, with whom he read Fathul-Majeed.
Also among his teachers was the scholar of Fiqh and Usool, ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Ibn Ghudayaan, whom he studied under while in the Higher Institute of Judicial Education.
Saalih Ibn Ibraaheem al-Baleehee (D. 1410H) was also one of his teachers. He attended his classes on Zaad al-Mustaqni’ along with his notes to it, which is called As-Salsabeel fee Ma’rifatid-Daleel.
Another of his teachers was the Shaykh, Dr. ‘Abdul-Kareem al-Khudayr, under whom he studied Naylul-Awtaar of ash-Shawkaanee and the Alfiyyah of al-‘Iraaqee on hadeeth terminology.
His teachers also included Dr. ‘Abdul-Muhsin Ibn Muhammad al-Muneef, under whom he studied Ar-Rahbiyyah on the Laws of Inheritance, while in Makkah in 1405H, during Ramadaan.
His Positions and Advanced Studies
These are just some of the teachers the Shaykh studied under, and he did so with the determination of the people of knowledge. As for his organized studies, the Shaykh acquired his education in the city of Riyaadh. There, he began his primary level studies. Then he joined an educational institute under the auspices of Imaam Muhammad Ibn Sa’ood University. After that, he moved on to the College of Sharee’ah at the same university and graduated in 1410H. Upon his graduation, he was appointed as a teacher in the educational institute in Qaway’iyyah, which is located about 170 kilometers west of Riyadh on the road to Makkah.
He then aspired to continue his education with higher studies, so he joined the Higher Institute for Judicial Education and completed his Masters there. The title of his Master’s thesis was “At-Tawtheeq bil-‘Uqood fil-Fiqhil-Islamee (Notorizing Documents of Islamic Jurisprudence).”
He was then appointed a judge in the Ministry of Justice, but he asked to be excused from this position. He was finally granted his request after much struggle. He was then nominated to work in the Bureau of Complaints and Injustices in the city of Jeddah. However, he only stayed in that position for one week. He then abandoned the bureau out of dislike for it, and out of looking to absolve himself from it. He returned to Riyaadh as a lecturer for the Higher Institute of Judicial Education. He obtained his Doctorate’s degree in 1422H due to his verification of the book Al-Fawaa’idul-Muntakhabaat Sharh Akhsarul-Mukhtasaraat of ‘Uthmaan Ibn Jaami’ (D. 1240H) in collaboration with others. The person who supervised him in this project was the current head Muftee of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aalush-Shaykh.
After that, he was appointed Assistant Professor, a position he held up until his death. May Allaah have mercy on him.
His Manners
He had profoundly good manners and humbleness, and he was known for his gentleness, amiability, and cheerfulness with his parents, teachers, family members, and colleagues. Everyone who associated with him knew him to be this way. This is why there were so many people who were affected and grief-stricken upon hearing news of his death. We ask Allaah to unite us with him in His honourable abode.4
Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam was also an excellent poet. His poetic verses were of the highest quality and at the uppermost level of precision. He has recorded poetic talks. His poetry shows his innate talent and he had no need for writing it down (i.e., he would make poetry off the top of his head). He would use poetry in his regular conversations and it would be limited to his friends and loved ones. If we were to try to collect all these poems, they would fit into a moderate-sized volume—may Allaah assist the one who compiles it.
His Books and Writings
Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam possessed a fluent writing style and used elegant expressions. He has authored numerous books which have spread far and wide, going to the east and the west, and producing much benefit. He wrote his first book before reaching age eighteen. His books are valuable and of great benefit. I will now mention those books he wrote that I am aware of, including both those that are printed and those that are not: