It is needless to say that happiness in this world and...

It is needless to say that happiness in this world and triumph in the hereafter is not achieved by title only, and is not obtained by supplication only, but rather the thing that brings them about and facilitates for the Muslim individual is – and this is after firm belief in the fundamentals of Islam and its true doctrines – to act upon the excellent teachings of Islam, and implement the true and progressive rulings of the Qur’an.

It is from this viewpoint that it becomes essential for every Muslim who loves to live happy and prosperous in this world and victorious and content in the hereafter – and all of us love that – to endeavour to learn the true and right Islamic beliefs, become familiar with the exalted teachings of Islam, acquire knowledge of the excellent rulings of the Qur’an, develop a firm belief in the doctrines and a relentless and serious endeavour to act according to the teachings of Islam and complete implementation of the rulings of the Qur’an, so Almighty Allah, His messenger, and the ma‘s}oom of the messenger peace be upon them all, may be contented with us, and we are happy in this world and victorious in the hereafter.

In facilitating what is mandatory for every Muslim to know in this respect, the following outlines are presented. The excellent teachings of Islam and the exalted rulings of the Qur’an may be divided into the three following categories: Os}ool al-Deen; the fundamental principles or beliefs of Islam, Foroo‘ al-Deen; the essential rulings and practices of Islam, The Islamic Akhla>q and Ab or the Islamic ethical morals and etiquettes.

Therefore, whoever believes in Os}ool al-Deen of Islam, acts upon its Foroo‘ al-Deen, and adorns himself with its ethical morals and etiquettes (Akhla>q and Ab) would attain happiness in both worlds, and wins both lives, lives happy and dies while being praised. The following are a brief outline of each of these three categories.…