“The creed of the four Imāms—AbÅ« ḤanÄ«fah (d. AH 150), Mālik (d. AH 179), al-ShāfiÊ¿Ä« (d. AH 204) and Aḥmad (d. AH 241)—is what the Book and the Sunnah speak of, and what the Companions and those who followed them in righteousness were upon. And there is no disagreement between these Imāms, all praise is due to Allāh, in the fundamental matters of belief; rather, they are in agreement concerning the Attributes of the Lord, and that faith (Ä«mān) is undoubtedly an affirmation of the heart and the tongue.”

Enlightening clarification from the four Imāms themselves—from their own words—about the correct position on vital issues of creed, such as tawḥīd, Ä«mān, and qadar, as well as the position of Ahl al-Sunnah on theological rhetoric and the honour and respect due to the Companions of the Prophet (á¹£allallāhu Ê¿alayhi Wa-Sallam).

It is sincerely hoped Muslims who claim adherence to the teachings of these great Imāms (may Allāh be pleased with them) will truly embrace the most important aspect of their teachings: the correct beliefs they understood from the texts of the Book and the Sunnah based on the understanding of the Companions and their followers.