The Method of Studying the 20 Attributes of Aqidah and Its Impact on Social Harmony in Malaysia

Abstract

Among the Ilahiyyat debates found in Islamic aqidah is one regarding the attributes of Allah s.w.t. Previous scholars had compiled a methodology for studying the 20 Attributes of Aqidah based on naqli (revealed) and aqli (conventional) knowledge to make it easier for the community to identify and appreciate Allah s.w.t. The breakdown of Allah s.w.t's attributes includes the nafsiah, salbiah, ma'ani, and ma'nawiyah attributes. The 20 Attributes of Aqidah has become the venerable and authoritative manhaj of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah scholars in Malaysia. This method is also taught to the community through various approaches to identify the obligatory (wajib), impossible (mustahil) and permissible (mubah or harus) attributes of Allah s.w.t. The aim of this qualitative study is to examine the method used to study the 20 Attributes of Aqidah and its impact on social harmony in Malaysia. The literature review design was adopted and data were collected using the documentation technique. Data were then analysed using the content analysis method based on deductive, inductive and comparative techniques to obtain the findings. Findings of this study indicate that the 20 Attributes of Aqidah methodology according to the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah is a moderate method that is either insufficient (tafrit) nor excessive (ifrat). On a similar note, the 20 Attributes of Aqidah is capable of countering or rejecting arguments by deviant Islamic groups, as well as their teachings and thoughts based on naqli and aqli knowledge. Therefore, the study of the 20 Attributes of Aqidah can create social harmony in Malaysia.