Explanation of the Creed – Clarifying Islamic Belief and Aqeedah

Explanation of the Creed is a timeless work that outlines the foundations of Islamic belief (‘aqeedah) based on the Qur’an and Sunnah. It clarifies essential principles of faith, refutes common misconceptions, and provides Muslims with a solid understanding of tawheed, prophethood, and the unseen. An essential resource for students of knowledge and anyone seeking to strengthen their understanding of true Islamic creed.

From Author:

Imam al-Barbahari (d. 329 AH / 941 CE) was a renowned early scholar of Islam and a leading figure of the Hanbali school. Respected for his deep knowledge of creed (‘aqeedah) and adherence to the Qur’an and Sunnah, he authored the famous work Sharh al-Sunnah, which remains a key reference on orthodox Islamic belief. His teachings emphasized clarity in faith, rejection of innovations, and steadfastness upon the way of the Salaf.

Content:

Qur’aan & Sunnah

The explanations are supported by relevant verses from the Qur’aan, authentic sayings of the Prophet ﷺ, and statements of the early scholars. These references help readers understand the foundations of Islamic belief and the evidence upon which they are based.

Warning Against Innovation

A major theme of the book is the importance of protecting the correct ‘Aqeedah from innovation, deviation, and misguided beliefs. It explains the role of the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah in preserving and defending the teachings of Islam.

About Imaam al-Barbahaaree

Imaam al-Barbahaaree was a prominent scholar who lived during the late third and early fourth centuries after Hijrah. He studied with senior students of Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal and became well known for his firm adherence to the Sunnah and his efforts to refute innovations.

Page:01
EXPLANATION OF THE
CREED by
Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn 'Alee ibn Khalf
al-Barbahaaree
(d.3291) rahimahullaah
The Imaam of
Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah of his time
Page:02
Introduction
Indeed all praise is for Allaah, we praise him, seek His aid and ask for His forgiveness. We seek Allaah's refuge from the evil of ourselves and our evil actions. Whomsoever Allaah guides, he is rightly guided. Whomsoever Allaah misguides, none can guide him. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, alone, having no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger. May Allaah send praises and blessings upon him, his family (and followers) and his Companions. From the completion of Allaah's blessings upon his servants is that He completed this Religion for them. He, the Most High, says:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَمَ دِينًا
This Day have I completed your Religion for you, bestowed: my favours upon you and have chosen for you Islaam as your Religion.1
The Prophet () was not taken until he had left us upon pure and clear guidance, whose night is like its day and no one deviates from it except that he is destroyed. "Certainly in the beginning this Ummah enjoyed Allaah's mercy, as Allaah united it upon guidance and united the hearts of its people and protected it from falling into innovation since it stood firmly upon obedience to Allaah and His Messenger (). The Companions of the Prophet () were accustomed only to following him, giving him full honour and following the light which was sent down with him, submitting fully to the truth which he came with. They had no saying along with his saying nor any opposition to his judgement."2
1. Soorah al-Maai'dah (5):3
2.Al-'Aqeedatus-Salafiyyah min Kalam Rabbil-Bariyyah of Shaikh Abdullaah al-Judai' (p.9).
Page:03
CONTENTS
Publisher's Foreword
Introduction by Khaalid ar-Radaadee.
About the Author.
About the Book.
The Text of the Book
Appendix 1: Examples of the Pages the Manuscript....
Appendix 2: Allaah's Ascension (al-Istiwaa')
over the Throne
Appendix 3: The Sects
Appendix 4: The Imaams of the Sunnah
Index of Sects
Subject Index.
Glossary.
Bibliography of English Works
Page:04
EXPLANATION OF THE CREED
al-Barbahaarve
Explanation of the Creed
Imaam al-Barbahaaree
This is an English translation of Imaam al-Barbahaaree's classic work, Sharh as-Sunnah. The book consists of 170 points on different aspects of the Muslim creed. Extensive notes have been provided, giving relevant passages of the Qur'aan and authentic sayings of the Prophet (*). Ample sayings of the early scholars have also been included.
In every age, there has been a noble company of scholars who stood firm and expended great efforts in defending the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of his Messenger (*) and in refuting the people of innovated beliefs, innovation, deviation and misguidance. At the head of them towards the end of the third century and the beginning of the fourth was the Imaam who aided the Sunnah and subdued innovation: Abu Muhammad al- Hasan ibn 'Alee al-Barbahaaree.
The author, Imaam al-Barbahaaree (d.329H), was a prominent scholar of his time. He himself acquired knowledge from a group of the senior students of Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, from amongst them Abu Bakr al-Marwazee, the exemplary Imaam, scholar and muhaddith, a student of Imaam Ahmad.
May Allah have mercy upon him

Al Hidaayah Publishing

• Imam al-Barbahaaree

We dispatch orders directly from our UK and USA warehouses, offering multiple shipping options to suit your needs. We proudly ship worldwide.

UK Deliveries (from UK warehouse):

Standard shipping typically arrives within 3–4 working days. Expedited delivery takes 2–3 working days. We aim to dispatch orders the same day or next working day, with next-day delivery options available where applicable.

USA Deliveries (from USA warehouse):

Orders usually arrive within 4–7 working days.

Europe (shipped from UK):

Standard delivery takes approximately 6–10 working days, with expedited services available in 3–5 working days.

Canada:

Estimated delivery time is 5–10 working days.

Worldwide Shipping:

International orders generally arrive within 5–20 working days, depending on destination and shipping method selected.

For precise delivery timelines based on your location, please contact us by email and our team will provide detailed information tailored to your address.

Page:01
EXPLANATION OF THE
CREED by
Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn 'Alee ibn Khalf
al-Barbahaaree
(d.3291) rahimahullaah
The Imaam of
Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah of his time
Page:02
Introduction
Indeed all praise is for Allaah, we praise him, seek His aid and ask for His forgiveness. We seek Allaah's refuge from the evil of ourselves and our evil actions. Whomsoever Allaah guides, he is rightly guided. Whomsoever Allaah misguides, none can guide him. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, alone, having no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger. May Allaah send praises and blessings upon him, his family (and followers) and his Companions. From the completion of Allaah's blessings upon his servants is that He completed this Religion for them. He, the Most High, says:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَمَ دِينًا
This Day have I completed your Religion for you, bestowed: my favours upon you and have chosen for you Islaam as your Religion.1
The Prophet () was not taken until he had left us upon pure and clear guidance, whose night is like its day and no one deviates from it except that he is destroyed. "Certainly in the beginning this Ummah enjoyed Allaah's mercy, as Allaah united it upon guidance and united the hearts of its people and protected it from falling into innovation since it stood firmly upon obedience to Allaah and His Messenger (). The Companions of the Prophet () were accustomed only to following him, giving him full honour and following the light which was sent down with him, submitting fully to the truth which he came with. They had no saying along with his saying nor any opposition to his judgement."2
1. Soorah al-Maai'dah (5):3
2.Al-'Aqeedatus-Salafiyyah min Kalam Rabbil-Bariyyah of Shaikh Abdullaah al-Judai' (p.9).
Page:03
CONTENTS
Publisher's Foreword
Introduction by Khaalid ar-Radaadee.
About the Author.
About the Book.
The Text of the Book
Appendix 1: Examples of the Pages the Manuscript....
Appendix 2: Allaah's Ascension (al-Istiwaa')
over the Throne
Appendix 3: The Sects
Appendix 4: The Imaams of the Sunnah
Index of Sects
Subject Index.
Glossary.
Bibliography of English Works
Page:04
EXPLANATION OF THE CREED
al-Barbahaarve
Explanation of the Creed
Imaam al-Barbahaaree
This is an English translation of Imaam al-Barbahaaree's classic work, Sharh as-Sunnah. The book consists of 170 points on different aspects of the Muslim creed. Extensive notes have been provided, giving relevant passages of the Qur'aan and authentic sayings of the Prophet (*). Ample sayings of the early scholars have also been included.
In every age, there has been a noble company of scholars who stood firm and expended great efforts in defending the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of his Messenger (*) and in refuting the people of innovated beliefs, innovation, deviation and misguidance. At the head of them towards the end of the third century and the beginning of the fourth was the Imaam who aided the Sunnah and subdued innovation: Abu Muhammad al- Hasan ibn 'Alee al-Barbahaaree.
The author, Imaam al-Barbahaaree (d.329H), was a prominent scholar of his time. He himself acquired knowledge from a group of the senior students of Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, from amongst them Abu Bakr al-Marwazee, the exemplary Imaam, scholar and muhaddith, a student of Imaam Ahmad.
May Allah have mercy upon him