Aqidah (Islamic Creed and Theology)
Core Doctrines
Candidates must articulate tawhid in its classical divisions: oneness in lordship (rububiyyah), in worship (uluhiyyah), and in names and attributes (asma wa sifat). Know the pillars of iman, the doctrine of prophethood, the books, angels, the Last Day, and divine decree (qadar) with its two poles of divine will and human accountability.
Schools and Terminology
Know that Ahl al-Sunnah includes the Ash'ari, Maturidi, and Athari approaches, and that each affirms God's attributes without likening Him to creation. Understand the Mu'tazili positions (notably on divine attributes and the created Qur'an) as historical interlocutors, described fairly.
Traps
- Collapsing the three divisions of tawhid into one.
- Describing qadar as fatalism, which contradicts moral responsibility.
- Confusing the essence of God with His attributes.
- Attributing anthropomorphism to the mainstream schools.
Worked Example
If asked about a verse describing God's hand, the mainstream answer affirms the attribute as real while denying resemblance to created hands and denying figurative denial (ta'wil) or affirmation of a body (tashbih) depending on the school. Rule of thumb: affirm without likening, and negate defects without negating the attribute.