Is 'Aqeedah' a Correct Term or Should We Only Use 'Iman'?
Question:
The questioner says: Some people say that the term ‘Aqeedah/Aqidah’ is not correct and has no basis, and that it is more correct for a person to use the term ‘Iman’ (faith) instead of ‘Aqeedah.’ Is this correct?”
Answer:
This is not correct. Rather, scholars have long used the term ‘Aqeedah’ for matters pertaining to the heart, and for matters related to Tawheed (Oneness of God) and the Divine Attributes—things one believes in their heart. That is, things they ‘fasten’ their heart upon. So, there is nothing wrong with this naming, and there is no harm in it.
One may say: ‘the Aqeedah of so-and-so,’ or ‘the Aqeedah of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah’. It refers to what they believe and have faith in. It is called ‘Aqeedah’ because they believe it firmly, are certain of it, and profess it. Therefore, it is named ‘Aqeedah’ because the heart is ‘knotted’ or ‘fastened’ upon it and one’s faith in it.
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