The Explanation of The Three Fundamental Principles | Salih al-Fawzan [Al Usul As Thalatha]

About The Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles

The Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles is an English commentary by Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan on al-Usul ath-Thalatha, a short and well-known text by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. The text is widely studied in classes of Islamic belief, and it presents the basics a Muslim should know: knowing one’s Lord, knowing the religion of Islam and knowing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The English edition is published by Authentic Statements. The commentary explains each point in turn, so that the reader can understand the meaning and the evidence behind it.

What readers will find

• An explanation of the three questions every Muslim is asked about his faith
• Evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah for each point
• Clear, step-by-step commentary suited to classes and self-study
• A foundation for further study of Islamic belief

About the author

Shaykh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan is a Saudi scholar who is a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and teaches in Riyadh. He has written many books and commentaries on belief and worship, and his explanations are used in study circles around the world.

Who should read this book

This book is for students beginning the study of belief, teachers, new Muslims and families who want to learn the basics together. It is a good first text for classes in the masjid.

How to read it well

Read one section at a time, learn the main points by heart and review them regularly. Study with a teacher if you can, and ask questions when a point is not clear. Writing short notes after each lesson helps the points to stay.

Why start with the basics

Every building needs a firm foundation. In the same way, knowing the basics of faith, who our Lord is, what our religion is and who our Prophet ﷺ is, prepares a person for everything else they will study. A short, clear text with a commentary is a good place to start for young and old alike.

A text taught in study circles

The Three Fundamental Principles is a short text that many students memorise and then study with a commentary. It is often the first text taught in classes on belief, because it is brief and clear. A commentary in English opens the text to readers who cannot yet follow the Arabic, and it lets families study together at home.

Learning with a plan

A simple plan is to study one section each week. In the first week, read the section and note the main points. In the second, review and discuss with a friend or teacher. Over a few months, the whole text can be learned and understood, which gives a firm base for everything that follows.

Edition details

Title: The Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles. Author: Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan. Publisher: Authentic Statements. Language: English. Sold by Lafz Bookstore with delivery across India.

Frequently asked questions

What is the book about? It explains the basics of Islamic belief set out in al-Usul ath-Thalatha.

Who wrote the base text? Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. This book is the commentary by Shaykh al-Fawzan.

Is it suitable for beginners? Yes, it is a good first text for students of belief.

Do I need to know Arabic? No. This is an English edition with commentary, so readers can follow the explanation without knowing Arabic, though learning the Arabic text is a good goal over time.

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