Shaykh Arif’s presentation saw him divide the fundamental beliefs into two parts; the primary (usūl awwaliyya) beliefs, subscribing to which one can be considered a Muslim, and the secondary beliefs (usūl thānawiyya), belief in which would consider one a Shia.
The primary being belief in the oneness of God (tawḥīd), Prophethood (nubuwwa) and the day of judgement (qiyāma) whilst the secondary being belief in the justice of God (ʿAdl) and in the Imams (Imāma). He also outlined the differences amongst the Imami scholars regarding these divisions.