Description
Stated Shaykh Muhammad 'Umar Bazmool, professor of higher studies at Umm al-Qura University in Makkah, in his introduction to the translation:
"The author of this book, Questions and Answers Concerning the Foundations of Faith and Obstalces in its Path, is the virtuous Shaykh the scholar of Fiqh, Tafseer, and Usool, the masterful author, the great scholar of Qaseem in his era, 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir as-Sa'dee."
The book consists of two seperate but related treatises. In the first one, Essential Questions and Answers About the Foundations of Eeeman (Faith), as-Sa'dee poses and answers 22 questions about Eemaan and its related affairs. He begins by introducing Tawheed and its categories, and then he deals with Eemaan and its pillars. He includes questions on shirk, hypocrast, and innovation. Also discussed are the rights of the Muslims over us, including the rights of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), his Companions, and the Muslim leaders. He then completes the first treatise by describing the Straight Path and those who are upon it.
After clarifying the affairs of Eemaan, the author then goes on to explain why the majority of the people have turned away from it in the second treatise, Obstacles in the Path of Eemaan (Faith). He disusses ten things that prevent many people from embracing true faith, mentioned proofs and examples from the Book of Allaah for each one.