The belief that Allah exists and is the Creator of all things, and all other aspects of Tawheed:

• Belief in Allah's Names and Attributes mentioned in the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah, in accordance to their literal Arabic meanings without denial of these attributes or likening them to the attributes of His Creation. This principle is known as Tawheed-ul-Asmaa' was-Sifaat (Unity of Names and Attributes). Allah says in the Qur'an: "Say, (O Muhammed): He is Allah the One, Allah the Self-Sufficient Master (whom all creatures need). He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is nothing comparable to Him." [Surah al-Ikhlaas 112]. And Allah also says: "There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." [Surah ash-Shoora 42:11]

• To single out Allah in all acts of worship. This principle is known as Tawheed-ul-Ibaadah (Unity of Worship). Allah says in the Qur'an: "And the Mosques are for Allah (alone) so do not invoke anyone along with Allah." [Surah al-Jinn 72:18]. And He says: "Whoever has hopes in the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteous actions and in the worship of his Lord admit no one as partner." [Surah al-Kahf 18:110]

• To single out Allah in His Ruboobiyyah (Lordship). This principle is known as Tawheed-uRuboobiyyah (Unity of Lordship)

Ittiba'a (Following):

• "Say: If you (men) really do love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah Aali Imraan 3:31]

• Belief that the Prophet , peace be upon him, came with two revelations: the Qur'an and the Sunnah. The Prophet, peace be upon him, has said: "I have indeed been given the Qur'an and something along with it." [Reported by Abu Daawood and Daarimee - Sahih]. And he, peace be upon him, has said: "As long as you hold fast to two things which I have left among you, you will never go astray: Allah's Book (i.e. the Qur'an) and the Sunnah of His Messenger." [Reported by Al-Haakim - Sahih].

• Belief that obedience to the Messenger is absolute and that his position is unapproachable by anyone else among mankind. Therefore, the Prophet , peace be upon him, is alone to be obeyed and followed. All beliefs, statements, deeds and morals which are against his are to be rejected and annihilated.

• Adherence to the Way of the Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him, is never complete except with the perfection of love towards him. What assists in developing this love is constant adherence to his commands, haste in obeying him, placing forward his statements above all others, the study of his Seerah (life and biographical accounts) and the study and practical implementation of his Sunnah in everyday life. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "None of you believes until I become more beloved to him than his father, child and all mankind." [Reported by Muslim - Sahih].

Tazkiyah (Purification):

• "Allah did confer a great favour upon the believers when He sent a Messenger from amongst themselves reciting unto them His verses (i.e. the Qur'an) and purifying them (from sins and pagan ignorance by their adoption of his way) and instructing them in the Book (i.e the Qur'an) and the Wisdom (i.e. the Sunnah) while before they had been in manifest error." [Surah Aali Imraan 3:164]

• The Qur'an and Sunnah are the only sources for Tazkiyah (i.e. purification, integrity, honesty, righteousness, justice, etc.).

• The Prophet Muhammed , peace be upon him, is the purest of mankind in his soul, and his character was that of the Qur'an. There is none that comes close to him in this. For this reason he is the model for Tazkiyah. Allah says in the Qur'an: "Indeed in the Messenger of Allah is a beautiful pattern of conduct to follow for anyone whose hopes lie in Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah abundantly." [Surah al-Ahzaab 33:21].

• The Prophet's Companions and the rest of the Salaf are also, as a whole, a fine model to follow in Tazkiyah.

• There is no way of drawing closer to Allah except by adhering to what the Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him, came with. The Prophet, peace be upon him, has said: "If anyone introduces into this affair of ours (i.e. the religion of Islam) anything which does not belong to it, he will have it rejected." [Reported by Muslim - Sahih]. And he, peace be upon him, said: "Whoever does an action which we (Allah and His Messenger) have not commanded it will be rejected." [Reported by Muslim - Sahih]

• There does not exist any specific set of actions which lead to Tazkiyah, rather the whole of Islam leads to Tazkiyah (i.e. purification of the soul). Allah says: "O you who believe! Enter into Islam wholeheartedly (i.e. obey all the regulations of Allah and His Messenger) and follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan. Verily! He is to you an open enemy." [Surah al-Baqarah 2:208].

• The farce referred to as Sufism has corrupted the beliefs, deeds and morals of the Muslims.

• The methodology or way of the companions of the messenger stands between the two extremes of mysticism (i.e. Sufism) and scholastic theology (i.e. the use of logical and rationale "proofs" to explain the teachings of Islam -- such as the misguided Mu'tazilah).

• The methodology of the companions of the messenger represents a true exemplification of piety. It is Imaan (Faith) and not Nifaaq (hypocrisy), purity and not filth.