Verily the pure unadulterated correct Islamic Aqeedah is the most important of all affairs and the most imperative of the obligations. Therefore, it is a must to place the concern for this before the concern for everything else. So when we reflect upon the biographies of our righteous predecessors (may Allāh have mercy on them and house them in paradise, and grant them good on behalf of the Muslims), we find them giving great concern for the affair of Aqeedah. Their concern for it was intense, and they gave it precedence over all other matters. It is the greatest of their concerns, the utmost of their intents, and the noblest of their purposes. Their concern for the Aqeedah manifests in various areas and is the reason for them preserving and maintaining it by authoring beneficial works and valuable books to establish the Aqeedah, clarify it, and mention its evidences. Also to protect the Aqeedah from the plots of the plotters, the assault of the violators, and those who negate and who distort it.
The Salaf (may Allāh have mercy on them) have enormous efforts in this tremendous arena. They have great actions, and service to the Aqeedah, aiding it, and establishing the significant obligations towards it. They have written hundreds, of books clarifying and explaining it, with proofs and evidence. Rather they have authored thousands of books; some are lengthy while some are concise; some are complete in describing every facet while some are limited to a particular subject matter. Some of these books lay the foundation for the truth and that which is correct while others refute those who oppose.
The scholars who follow them take their Aqeedah from those who preceded them that which is as bright as the sun in the middle of the day. Their Aqeedah is upon clarity with no deception within, and no ambiguity due to its authentic evidences, sound, and strong proofs, and its clarity. Consequently the believers who follow them inherit it, generation after generation, and century after century. Every generation that follows makes a significant commitment and takes a tremendous responsibility, then they deliver it to those who come after them in its original form without change, alteration, or deviation. Generations come after them who give the same importance to it which was given by their predecessors. They give importance to it by preserving it. Like this, the Aqeedah is inherited generation after generation. There will never cease to be a group from the Ummah of Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) victorious upon the truth. They will not be harmed by those who forsake them, nor those who oppose them, until the Day of Judgment.
