Islamic theology (Arabic: عقيدة, ʿAqīdah, plural Arabic: عقائد, ʿaqāʾid) is a branch of Islamic studies describing the beliefs of the Islamic faith. Any religious belief system, or creed, can be considered an example of ʿaqīdah. However, this term has taken a significant technical usage in Islamic history and theology, denoting those matters over which Muslims hold conviction. Literally, the word ʿaqīdah is derived from the triconsonantal root ʿqd (ʿaqada), which means "to tie" or "knot".
Muslims enumerate their creed to include the Six articles of belief (called arkān al-īmān). There is a consensus on the elements of this creed across all spectrums as they are clearly articulated in the Qurʾān. While some Muslim groups may hold different beliefs regarding the attributes of God or the purpose of angels, there are no disputes concerning the existence of God, that he has sent his revelation via messengers, and that man will be held to account and rewarded or punished in the afterlife.
Read more about Islamic Theology: Six Articles of Belief, Types of Theology, Views Specific To Other Muslim Schools, Literature Pertaining To Creed
Famous quotes containing the word theology:
“A theology whose god is a metaphor is wasting its time.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)