Explanation

by Shaikh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan This treatise, 'al-Qawaaid al-'Arba'a' (The Four Foundations) authored by Shaikhul-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab (rahimahullah) is an independent book, but it can be (studied as) a continuation of the book, 'Thalathatul-Usool' (The Three Principles by Shaikhul-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab) because it is necessary for the students to understand (the subjects explained in) it. 'Qawaaid' (principles) is the plural of, 'Qa'ida' (principle). Principle is the foundation from which branch off numerous issues. The primary subject of the four foundations mentioned by the Shaikh is the understanding of tawhid and Shirk. So, what is the foundation of tawhid and what is the - 11 - they have been misguided concerning the meaning of tawhid and Shirk - each one explaining it according to his desires.

It is obligatory to return to the Book and the Sunnah in order to learn these principles so that our principles are correct, sound and deduced from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger r especially these two great issues; tawhid and Shirk. Shaikh (Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab) has not mentioned these principles from himself or from his thinking - as is the way of many misguided people. The Shaikh has deduced these principles from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger r and his r seerah (biography). If you understand these principles, then it will become easy for you to understand tawhid with which Allah sent His Messengers and revealed His Books and (it will also become easy for you to) know Shirk - from which Allah has warned against, and explained its dangers and harms in this world and the Hereafter. This (i.e., Aqeedah) is an important issue.

It is more obligatory for you (to learn and understand Aqeedah) than knowing the rulings of prayer, charity, other acts of worship and other issues of the religion because this is the foremost and fundamental issue, since Salaat, Zakaat, Hajj and other acts of worship are not correct if they are not based upon the foundation of the correct Aqeedah (beliefs) which is pure tawhid of Allah. Shaikh (Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab) has preceded these four principles with a great foreword which contains supplication for the student of knowledge and caution for what he is about to discuss. - 12 - Most Merciful, Lord of the great Throne to take care of (protect) you in this world and the Hereafter," This is a great introduction; it contains supplication by the shaikh for every student of knowledge who is studying Aqeedah (faith) intending by it to reach the truth, and to avoid misguidance and Shirk. One needs Allah to take care of him in this world and the Hereafter. (Because) if Allah takes care of him, it is impossible for misguidance to reach him, neither in his religion nor in his worldly affairs. Allah says, "Allah is the Wali (Protector or Guardian) of those who believe.

He brings them out from darkness into light. But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliya (supporters and helpers) are Taghut [false deities and false leaders, etc.], they bring them out from light into darkness." [surah al-Baqarah (2): 257] So, when Allah takes care of you, He will take you out of darkness - the darkness of Shirk, Kufr, doubts and heresy - into light; the light of Eeman (faith), beneficial knowledge, and righteous deeds, "That is because Allah is the Maula (Lord, Master, Helper, Protector, etc.) of those who believe, and the disbelievers have no Maula (lord, master, helper, protector, etc.)." [surah Muhammad (47): 11] So when Allah takes care of you with His Support and His Guidance in this world and the Hereafter, then you will achieve happiness after which there will be no misery ever. In this world, Allah will take care of you by guiding you to the correct Manhaj (path). - 13 - into His Paradise for eternity, where there is no fear, sickness, misery, old age or calamities. This is the Support of Allah for His believing slave in this world and the Hereafter. Shaikh (Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab) wrote, "(I ask Allah) to bless you wherever you are." When Allah blesses you wherever you are, this is the greatest achievement, (because) Allah blesses your life, your provision, your knowledge, your work and your offspring.

Wherever you go, the blessings accompany you. This is a great Favor from Allah. Shaikh (Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab) wrote, '(I ask Allah) to make you amongst those who are grateful when provided.' (The Shaikh supplicates to Allah for making the student His grateful slave) as opposed to the (one, who is) ungrateful and proud when given because many people commit Kufr (i.e., Kufr of ungratefulness), and deny the bounties that are given to them. They squander the bounties (given to them) in disobedience to Allah and so, the bounties become a cause of their misery. As for the one, who is grateful, Allah increases his bounties, "(Remember) when your Lord proclaimed, "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily!

My Punishment is indeed severe." [surah Ibraheem (14): 7] (thus) Allah increases His bounties and Favors for those who are grateful. So, if you wish for more bounties, then you should - 14 - commit Kufr (i.e., Kufr of ungratefulness). Shaikh (Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab) wrote, "(I ask Allah to make you amongst) those who are patient when tested." Allah tests His slaves; He tests them with hardships, calamities, enemies, disbelievers and hypocrites, (and at such times, the slaves) need patience, optimism (i.e., not giving up hope in Allah) and not despairing from the Mercy of Allah. They need steadfastness in their religion; not wavering and not giving into afflictions. They should keep steadfast upon their religion and be patient upon the hardships they face along the course of calamities.

This is contrary to the one who, when tested becomes sad, angry and despairs from the Mercy of Allah, and so, he is made to face more tests and trials. The Messenger of Allah r said, "Verily, when Allah loves a people, He tests them. So whoever is pleased then he has Pleasure (of Allah), and whoever is displeased has His displeasure." [At-Tirmidhee], "The greatest of the people to be tested are the Prophet, then those most like them, then those most like them." [At-Tirmidhee] The Messengers were tested, the siddiqun (truthful) were tested, the martyrs were tested and the believing slaves of Allah were tested but they were all patient except the hypocrites, Allah says about them, "Among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were, upon the very edge (i.e. in doubt); if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts back to disbelief ). - 15 - evident loss." [surah al-Hajj (22): 11] So, the world is not always comfort, luxury, enjoyment, pleasure and success. Allah alternates these things among the slaves. The Sahabah were the best of the Ummah, so what trials and tests did they face?

Allah says, "If a wound (and killing) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (and killing) has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you." [surah aal-Imran (3): 140] So, the slave should calm down (knowing) that trials are not for him alone; even the awliya (righteous slaves) of Allah were afflicted. One should therefore, keep patient and wait for relief from Allah. And the (good) result is for those who fear Allah. The Shaikh (Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab) wrote, "(I ask Allah to make you amongst) those who repent when they fall into sin." One who commits sins and does not seek forgiveness but persists in sinning, is a miserable person - and Allah's Refuge is sought - but as for the believing slave, whenever he falls into sin, he hastens to make repentance, (Allah says,) "Those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual activity, etc.,) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allah - and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know." [surah aali-Imran (3): 135] "Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards; it is they to - 16 - [surah an-Nisaa (4): 17] "and repent soon afterwards." means whenever they fall into sin, they repent.

No one is free from sins but all praise is for Allah, Who has opened the door to repentance. So, it is required from the slave that whenever he sins, he should hasten to repent. But if he does not repent and does not seek forgiveness then this is a sign of misery; such a person might despair from the Mercy of Allah and the Shaytan might come to him and say, 'There is no forgiveness for you.' These three issues are the core of happiness; (a) when he is given, he is grateful, (b) when he is tested, he is patient and, (c) if he falls into sin, he seeks forgiveness. Whosoever is given all these three characteristics, he has achieved happiness and whosoever is deprived of these three matters or any of them - then he is miserable. - 17 - Shaikh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab writes, Know, may Allah guide you to His obedience, that Haneefiyah is the religion of Ibraheem; that you worship Allah making the religion purely for Him. Allah says, "I (Allah) created not the Jinn and humans except that they should worship Me (Alone)." [surah adh-Dhariyaat (51): 56]