The Humble I

Knowing, Doing, Becoming

‘aqidah

December 16, 2014

Tawhid is Much More Than Just A Theological Abstraction

This short read explains what tawhid is, and why it is the central theological concept of Islam. Without understanding tawhid, one simply cannot understand Islam in any real or significance sense. It also explains that tawhid isn’t meant to be a theological abstraction we merely write or academically talk about. Instead, it is meant to… Continue reading

salafism reconsidered, theology

‘aqidah, Abrahamic monotheism, annihilation in God, centrality of tawhid, definition of tawhid, degrees of tawhid, ibn juzayy, Islam’s declaration of faith, Oneness of God in Islam, singling-out God for worlship, witnessing God
January 29, 2013

‘Aqidah Comes First! Doesn’t It?

“‘Aqidah comes first” is a phrase which has, over the last quarter of a century, become a slogan in some Muslims quarters. Yet there can be no denying that ‘aqidah or belief (from ‘aqada: to tie, bind, fasten securely; from which comes the idea of tying certain beliefs to one’s heart in utter conviction of them), is the single most important aspect… Continue reading

salafism reconsidered, theology

‘aqidah, creed, holistic Islam, Ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalani, Islam & ethics, message of Islam’s early revelations, societal obligations

About Me

My name is Surkheel Sharif (aka Abu Aaliyah). Born and raised in London, England, I began my more formal, but gradual studies of the Islamic sciences around the late 1980s (just a few years after having quit my degree in Astrophysics). I also gained an MA in Islamic Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London, in 2009.

I’ve translated a few Islamic works from Arabic into English; one of them, a short text on Muslim spirituality, called The Exquisite Pearl (2000). I have also authored a few books, including: More Fish Please & the Earth’s Complaint (2011); Fussing Over the 15th of Sha’ban & the Golden Rule of Differing (2011); A Muslim’s Guide to Modernity (2025); and Salafism Reconsidered (forthcoming)

I am the founder and current Director of the Jawziyyah Institute (est. 1999): a non-profit organisation dedicated to cultivating an Islam true to its time-honoured tradition, relevant to its current context, and of benefit to wider society.

‘aqidah

Tawhid is Much More Than Just A Theological Abstraction

‘Aqidah Comes First! Doesn’t It?