The Second Principle: Knowledge of Your Religion (Ma'rifat al-Islam)

The second principle is knowledge of Islam — understanding what your religion is, what it demands of you, and the levels at which a Muslim engages with Allah. Ibn Abdul Wahhab defines Islam as "submission to Allah with tawhid, compliance with obedience to Him, and disavowal of shirk and its people." This definition is precise and layered: Islam is not a cultural identity or mere nominal affiliation. It is an active, sincere surrender to Allah accompanied by action and disassociation from false worship.

The author presents Islam in three ascending levels, drawing on the famous hadith of Jibril (narrated by 'Umar ibn al-Khattab in Sahih Muslim). When Jibril appeared in human form and asked the Prophet about Islam, iman, and ihsan, the Prophet defined each in turn. This hadith forms the backbone of this chapter.

The first level is Islam, which the Prophet defined through its five pillars: the testimony of faith (shahada), prayer (salah), obligatory almsgiving (zakah), fasting in Ramadan (sawm), and pilgrimage to Makkah (hajj) for those who are able. Ibn Abdul Wahhab provides the Quranic proof for each pillar. Prayer is commanded: "Establish prayer for My remembrance" (Ta-Ha, 20:14). zakah is paired with prayer throughout the Quran: "And establish prayer and give zakah" (Al-Baqarah, 2:43). Fasting is mandated: "Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you" (Al-Baqarah, 2:183). Hajj is obligated: "And pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people who are able to make the journey" (Al 'Imran, 3:97).

The second level is iman (faith), which the Prophet defined through its six pillars: belief in Allah, His angels, His scriptures, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree — both its good and its harm. Iman is not mere verbal affirmation. According to Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, iman is belief in the heart, utterance of the tongue, and action of the limbs. It increases with obedience and decreases with sin.

The third level is ihsan (excellence or spiritual perfection), which the Prophet defined as: "That you worship Allah as though you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, then know that He sees you." This is the highest station of a believer — to perform every act of worship with full presence, sincerity, and awareness of Allah's nearness. Ihsan purifies all outward actions because it roots them in genuine God-consciousness (taqwa).

Ibn Abdul Wahhab also addresses the proof of Islam itself: "Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam" (Al 'Imran, 3:19), and: "Whoever desires a religion other than Islam — it will never be accepted from him, and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter" (Al 'Imran, 3:85). These verses establish Islam as the only acceptable path to Allah and make knowledge of it not merely beneficial but obligatory for every accountable human being.