The Difference Between 'Aqeedah and Manhaj

Question:
The ninth question: Shaykh, is there a difference between 'aqidah (creed) and manhaj (methodology)? We would like clarification on this, as some people cite the saying of Allah the Exalted, , and use it as evidence that there is a difference between 'aqidah and manhaj?

Answer:
The methodology in the noble verse, or the path intended by it, refers to the Shari'ah, the practical Shari'ah. The religion of the messengers (peace and blessings be upon them) is one religion, the religion of Islam. Their creed is one creed, but the Shari'ahs differ according to the circumstances and times, as the wisdom of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) requires.
So Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) legislates from the Shari'ahs what is appropriate for the time, place, and condition of the community. Then He legislates and abrogates with another Shari'ah that suits the other community and the conditions of the other community, as is the case in Islam as well. Indeed, Allah legislated things at the beginning of Islam because the interest of the time required it, then He abrogated them afterwards. So the methodology intended is the Shari'ah. Say: "If We had made for you a Shari'ah and a path," meaning a practical Shari'ah of rulings on what is lawful and forbidden, acts of worship, and so on.
As for the creed, it does not change. The creed of the prophets is one, and abrogation never enters it until the Hour stands. This is the difference between the Shari'ah and the methodology, between the Shari'ah and the creed, or the methodology and the creed. If the methodology is intended to be the Shari'ah, this is the distinction between them.
As for the methodology in the terminology of these people, it is the method of da'wah (calling to Islam). This does not fall under the noble verse. Citing the verse as evidence for this is incorrect reasoning, because the verse was revealed regarding the Shari'ahs.
As for the method of da'wah and the manner of da'wah, this verse does not apply to them and from it they came. The method in da'wah was explained by the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) with a practical explanation; it is not explained in the Noble Book. His saying, the Exalted And among the methodology of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in his da'wah is that he began with tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and correcting the creed first, then he gradually taught the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) according to its revelation to him (peace and blessings be upon him). So the first thing the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) began with, like his brothers among the messengers, was the creed and correcting the creed. When the creed was corrected, the Shari'ah was revealed. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained in Makkah, as is well known, for thirteen years after the mission, commanding tawhid and forbidding shirk (associating partners with Allah). No prayer, jihad (struggle in the path of Allah), fasting, Hajj (the major pilgrimage), or zakah (the obligatory alms) was made obligatory upon him. These were legislated later. The prayer was legislated, it was legislated a short time before the migration. The prayer was legislated and made obligatory upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on the night of the Mi'raj, a short time before the migration. As for the rest of the Shari'ah, it was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) after the migration.
This indicates that the methodology of the prophets is to begin with calling to tawhid and correcting the 'aqidah, and then, once the 'aqidah is corrected, the remaining commands of the religion are legislated, and people are commanded to perform them and held accountable for them. This is part of the methodology of the messengers (peace and blessings be upon them). Likewise, the methodology of the messengers (peace and blessings be upon them) is to proceed gradually in da'wah, step by step, according to ability, circumstances, and conditions. They do not bring the da'wah all at once in a single lump. Rather, they proceed gradually, step by step, according to the conditions of those being called. This is part of the methodology of the messengers (peace and blessings be upon them) in da'wah. Yes.