‘Aqeedah & Minhaj
Author: Shaikh Rabee’ Bin Haadee Al Madkhalee (hafithahuAllah)
Source: www.Sahab.net
Translator: Abu ‘Abdis Salaam Siddiq Al Juyaanee
Q: Is there a difference between Minhaj and Aqeedah; and if there is a difference (between the two), would this thus be an opening for the partisan (minded) people (i.e. the Hizbees to play games upon the Salafies) by way of this differentiation?
A: Of course there is a lot of talk about Minhaj during these days in contrast to the Salaf who didn’t mention this (particular) word nor was it prevalent (or needed for them to point out this concept by utilizing this term and) to constantly (utter) Al Minhaj, Al Minhaj. However, once it became widespread (amongst the people of deviation with regards to this concept) the Salafies were forced to (utilize this term and) say Al Minhaj, Al Minhaj.
I heard Shaikh Bin Baaz (rahimahullah) making no distinction between ‘Aqeedah and Minhaj and he used to say,
“They are both one.”
(On the other hand) Shaikh Al Albaanee (rahimahullah) and myself make a distinction between the two, (in the sense that) Minhaj is more expansive than ‘Aqeedah. So Minhaj includes ‘Aqeedah, Worship, the proper method of (studying and) gaining understanding (of the Deen), and (the proper way) of criticizing (individuals and groups), and dealing with the people of innovation. (To reiterate, it includes) the Methodology of Ahlus Sunnah in ‘Aqeedah, worship, and attaining knowledge etc; their Minhaj was this and their Minhaj was that (and so forth).
Thus, Minhaj is broader without doubt. However, the people of desires make a distinction between ‘Aqeedah and Minhaj do to a politically partisan aim and agenda. They employ this strategy in order to deceive the Salafies and say (erroneous things like),
“You, you stay upon your ‘Aqeedah but with regards to Minhaj we can cooperate (and come to a compromise with regards) to it. There is nothing preventing you from saying, ‘I am Salafy in my ‘Aqeedah and Ikhwaanee in my Minhaj.”
However, it is well known that the Minhaj of the Ikhwaan wars against the Salafy ‘Aqeedah. So this “Salafy” who says I am Salafy, when he says I am Salafy in ‘Aqeedah, Ikhwaanee in Minhaj or Tableeghee in Minhaj, he himself announces that he (in actuality), is warring against the Salafy Minhaj and ‘Aqeedah. This is (in fact) from the tricks (and deceptive tactics) of the politically (driven) partisans (Hizbees) from the Tableegh and the Ikhwaan who work to separate between ‘Aqeedah and Minhaj in order to specifically play with the minds and intellect of the Salafies.
