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 matters relating to it. He begins by introducing tawheed and its categories, and then he deals with eemaan and its pillars. He includes questions on shirk, hypocrisy and innovations in religion. Also discussed are the rights of the Muslims over us, including the rights of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, 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 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 Qur'anfor each one.