Aqeeda Meaning and What is Aqeedah

AQEEDAH MEANING

What is Aqeedah. Its Definition and Importance.

WHAT AQEEDA IS.

The Linguistic Meaning of Aqeedah: Literally, the word `aqidah is derived from the triconsonantal root"`A-Q-D", which means to tie or knot. al-Aqad, which is to 'tie something (firmly). 

The Meaning and importance of Aqeedah in Islam:  Correct Aqeeda is the most important thing in islam. It is what a person takes as a religion . It is said, 'he has a good Aqeedah' meaning, having right beliefs. Aqeedah is an action of the heart, which is to believe and affirm something in the heart. It is also called as Iman or articles of Iman or Article of faith.

ISLAMIC AQEEDAH

As Aqeedah is most important part of Islam and of a muslim life, it has been dealt very clearly in quranic Ayats and ahadith.

Six Articles of Faith

There are six basic Aqeeda or article of faith (Iman) and these are to believe in

1.    Allah,

2.    His angels,

3.    His Books,

4.    His Messengers,

5.     In coming to life after death (resurrection) the Day of Judgment,

6.    And in that the fate good and bad is predetermined by Allah

(Some books have separated life after death and Day of Judgment as separate number and it makes total number to seven)

These six articles of belief has been described in clear words in Quranic Ayats and has been sum up in the Hadith of Jibraeel that is in Bukhari and Muslim shareef both.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 48:  http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/002.sbt.html#001.002.047

Narrated Abu Huraira:
One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Apostle replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further asked, "What is Islam?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan." Then he further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you." Then he further asked, "When will the Hour be established?" Allah's Apostle replied, "The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents.
1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.
2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.
The Prophet then recited: "Verily, with Allah (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour--." (31. 34) Then that man (Gabriel) left and the Prophet asked his companions to call him back, but they could not see him. Then the Prophet said, "That was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion." Abu 'Abdullah said: He (the Prophet) considered all that as a part of faith.

All the points of Aqeeda has been further detailed by other Verses of the Holy Quran and Ahadith. 
JAZAKALLAH