Explanation of The Three Fundamental Principles

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Introduction to the Explanation

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions. To proceed:

Before us is this epistle—The Treatise of The Three Fundamental Principles—a noble, concise work buttressed by proofs from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.

This treatise addresses one of the great foundations of Islam, namely creed (ʿaqīdah). Scholars have always attached great importance to such concise works: they compose them, exert themselves in abridging and refining them, and then have their students memorize them so that these texts remain core references and treasured provisions from which they benefit and through which they benefit others.

Beginning with these concise primers is indispensable for students of knowledge. The seeker must proceed gradually, taking the rudiments and principles of a science step by step and advancing therein.