Questions and answers about contemporary currents by Salih Al Fawzan - Dine Al Haqq Editions

R.33 - In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the universe. May Allah bless our Prophet Mohammed, his family and all his Companions. That being said, I advise the young and others among the Muslims to concern themselves with belief ('aqida) first and foremost. Indeed, the 'aqida is the basis on which all acts rest, which, depending on it, are accepted or rejected. If the belief is correct, in accordance with what the messengers brought - praises and peace of Allah upon them - especially the last of the prophets, our Prophet Mohammed - praises and peace of Allah upon him - then the rest of the works are accepted. Moreover, these must be performed exclusively for the Face of Allah and be in accordance with what has been legislated by Allah and his Messenger. But in the case where the belief is corrupted, deviated, based on customs and imitation of fathers and ancestors, or it is a polytheistic belief, then the works are rejected and none of these are accepted, even if the one who performs them is sincere and aims for the Face of Allah. Allah only accepts when the works [are based on Tawhid], are performed only for his Noble Face and in a manner in accordance with the Sunnah of his Messenger - may Allah praise him and grant him peace.