Bahaar-e-Shariat Volume 1 (Essential Tenets of Islam)

This work provides a comprehensive exposition of the foundational beliefs (aqaa’id) of the Ahl-e-Sunnat wa Jama’at according to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. It details the nature of Allah, the status of Prophethood, the existence of angels and jinn, the realities of the afterlife, and the distinctions between faith (imaan) and disbelief (kufr). The text further identifies and critiques the doctrines of various sects, including the Qadiani, Raafdhi (Shia), Wahabi, and Ghair Muqal’lideen (non-conformists), while outlining the principles of righteous leadership (imamat) and the station of sainthood (wilaayat).

---

Key topics & takeaways

Belief in Allah

• Oneness of Allah — Allah is one, without partners in Being, Attributes, Actions, Commands, or Names, and His existence is necessary (waajib ul wajood) ▸page 51
• Independence of Allah — Allah is free from all needs; the entire creation is dependent upon Him, while He is dependent on none ▸page 51
• Incomprehensibility of the Divine Self — It is impossible for the human mind to comprehend or encompass Allah’s Divine Self through intellect, though He can be known through His attributes and actions ▸page 52
• Nature of Divine Attributes — Allah’s attributes are neither synonymous with His Being nor separate from Him; they are eternal (azali) and everlasting (abadi) ▸page 52
• Impossibility of Divine Defect — Allah is free from lies, deceit, tyranny, ignorance, and all forms of defect; to attribute such things to Him is to reject Him ▸page 55
• Divine Knowledge — Allah’s knowledge encompasses everything—past, present, and future—and is not subject to change ▸page 57
• Divine Vision — Seeing Allah in this world is unique to the Prophet Muhammad, while seeing Him in the hereafter is a reality for every Sunni Muslim ▸page 62

Prophethood

• Humanity of Prophets — All prophets were human males; neither women nor jinn were granted prophethood ▸page 67
• Infallibility (Ismat) — Prophets are protected by Allah and are incapable of committing sins, whether major or minor, before or after their appointment ▸page 73
• Knowledge of the Unseen — Prophets are blessed with knowledge of the unseen (ilm-e-ghaib) bestowed upon them by Allah; this is distinct from Allah’s self-knowledge (zaati) ▸page 75
• Finality of Prophethood — Muhammad is the Khaatamun Nabiyeen (Seal of the Prophets); no prophet can come after him, and believing otherwise is infidelity ▸page 82
• Superiority of the Prophet — Muhammad is the most exalted of all creation, and his intercession (shafa’at) is the primary means of salvation on the Day of Resurrection ▸page 83

The Unseen and Afterlife

• Angels — Angels are created from light (noor), are sinless, and are assigned specific duties by Allah ▸page 94
• Jinn — Jinn are created from fire and possess intelligence and free will; they can be believers or unbelievers ▸page 96
• The Grave — The deceased is questioned by the angels Munkar and Nakeer; the grave is a place of either comfort or torment depending on one's faith and deeds ▸page 101
• Resurrection — The physical body will be raised on the Day of Resurrection; rejecting this or the reality of the afterlife is infidelity ▸page 116
• Pul Siraat — The bridge over Hell, sharper than a sword and thinner than a hair, which all must cross to enter Paradise ▸page 125

Sects and Leadership

• Criteria for Leadership — An Imam (Imamat-e-Kubra) must be a free, sane, adult male capable of leadership; he must be followed as long as his commands align with the Shariah ▸page 190
• Excellence of the Companions — The four Righteous Caliphs are the most superior humans after the Prophets, in the order of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali ▸page 192
• Sainthood (Wilaayat) — Saints are beloved servants of Allah granted special closeness; they are not exempt from religious obligations, and their miracles (karaamat) are true ▸page 202
• Warning against Misguidance — The work warns against sects that slander the Companions, deny the finality of Prophethood, or equate the knowledge of the Prophet to that of common people ▸page 158