A Solid Saying in Explaining Matters of Religion By Imam Ahmad bin Abdul Karim Al Ashmouni (from the eleventh century scholars) Study and investigation

Abstract

The book revolves around the most important chapters of faith. Whereas it deals with the origin of religion and its branches, the concept of faith and its pillars, the concept of Islam and its obligations, the concept of charity and its fruits, and Imam Ahmad bin Abdul Karim al-Ashmuni (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned these meanings and precious words in which he combines the basis and construction, as he combined the behaviors and effects of faith. It appears on the true believer. He (may Allah have mercy on him) says while talking about the pillars and the basis of religion: “As for religion, there are three things: Islam, faith, and charity. Its matters are three things: obeying a command, avoiding its prohibition, and consenting with judgment and destiny.” And in his speech on the meaning of monotheism and belief, he says: “The fundamentals are monotheism and its branches are to follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah of its Prophet (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him), eat lawful, avoid forbidden things, and pity for the creation of God Almighty and stop harm from them. And what distinguished this book the questions posed by Al-Ashmouni through its authorship is that if he answered a question, he added it by saying (if it was said ....) and so forth, and here are some examples of that, his saying: “If you were told what religion is and what its matters? And his saying, “What is charity, and what are its conditions, what is its fruit, and what is its end?".