Learning Islamic beliefs through Wahhabi works?

 

I have the opportunity to attend classes on Tawhid; taught by an individual who graduated from the al-madinah University; studying a book written by Abdullah ibn Wahhab. I have my reservations on attending such a class, but do not want to allow any 'golden opportunity' run away from me; if there is indeed one. It was suggested to me that there would be no harm in attending the classes. Is there any significant difference in the Tawhid taught by the pseudo-Salafi groups and the traditional ulema? Would you suggest that I attend the classes and/or future classes? Are you aware of any books where I may be able to gain a better understanding on the topic of Tawhid?

[Editor’s note: To understand the traditional sunni path in matters of faith and practice, you would be hard-pressed to find a better site than Sidi Mas’ud Khan’s excellent website: http://www.masud.co.uk or http://www.alzawiya.com]

Wa `alaykum as-Salam wa rahmatullah:

It is the fruit of a world campaign to alter the belief of Muslims that such a course be the only opportunity for many to learn about `Aqida - unfortunately. My advice is that one's `Aqida is better served by not taking such a course, whether a beginner or an advanced student, for it is a course in innovation and misguidance, as Sayyid Yusuf al-Rifa`i indicated in his chapter on the University of Madina in his book, Advice to our Brethren the Ulema of Najd. And Allah knows best.

Here is an old link on Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab's misguided book: http://www.abc.se/~m9783/wahtwd_e.html "Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab's Tawhid."

By agreement of the Sunni Ulema one of the best books would be Qawa`id al-`Aqa'id by Imam al-Ghazali, translated in the Reliance of the Traveller.

Was-Salam
Hajj Gibril