Islam is a faith that does not just reside in worship, but it gives a holistic lifestyle. Islam is founded on faith and belief. Allah does not accept even acts of worship, in case of a belief that is not right. When the roots of faith are well-grounded, a new direction and stability are established in the whole life of a Muslim.
In Islam, there are six basic pillars of faith, which are known as the Articles of Faith in Islam. It is these beliefs around which the thoughts, actions, and morals of a Muslim are based. The Islamic structure cannot be complete without them.
What are the beliefs of Islam?
The Quran and the Hadith prove these six pillars of faith. The most obvious indication is the Hadith of the Hazrat Gabriel (peace be upon him), where he questioned the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about faith, and he (peace be upon him) responded: Faith means that you believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and in destiny, good and bad. This indicates that these six beliefs are, in actuality, the building blocks of the life of a Muslim. This is called Aqeedah.
Elucidation of the 6 Foundational Faith Beliefs
Belief in Allah (Tawheed)
In Allah Almighty, belief is the first pillar of faith. Allah is One; He has no partner. He was not born, and neither was He created. He is the author of the universe, and everything is in His hands.
Tawheed has three categories:
- Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah – Allah is the Creator, Sustainer, and Protector.
- Tawheed al-Ilohyaat – One should worship Allah, not other than Allah.
- Tawheed al-Asma’ wa al-Sifaat – The names and attributes of Allah are absolute and without defect.
Shirk (to place partners with Allah) is the worst sin that can never be forgiven, even when a person dies without repentance.
Belief in Angels
Angels were made out of light by Allah. They are commanded by Allah, they neither eat nor drink, neither are they male nor female, and neither do they disobey.
Angels: These are some of the well-known angels and their roles:
- Gabriel (peace be upon him)- the revealer.
- Mikael (peace be upon him) – he is the provider of sustenance and rain.
- Israfil (peace be upon him) – the blower of the trumpet.
- Malikum (angel of death) – the soul taker.
One should have faith in them since they belong to the system of Allah.
Belief in the Books of Allah
Allah sent various books through various prophets to teach human beings.
Important books:
- Torah – to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him).
- Peace be upon him. Psalms – to Prophet David.
- Injil – to Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him).
- Holy Quran – to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Quran is the final book of Allah. It cannot be changed or lost. A Muslim must believe in it since it is the perfect guide.
Faith in the Prophets and Messengers.
Allah dispatched prophets to lead every nation. They were to invite people to Allah and prohibit them from evil.
Difference:
- One who brings the message of Allah and confirms the previous religion is called a prophet.
- A messenger is one to whom a new law is assigned.
Every prophet is a human being; they did not make any claims of being divine. Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last prophet and messenger. He will not have another prophet.
Belief in the Day of Judgment
The Judgment Day will certainly arrive. That day, everyone will be brought back to life, and everyone will account for what he has done.
- Paradise will come to the righteous.
- The evil are to be damned in Hell.
The impact of this faith is that a Muslim does not see life on earth as the primary aim, but prepares for the Hereafter. The Resurrection and the Reckoning are mentioned in the Quran and in the Hadith many times.
Belief in Destiny (Qadar)
A Muslim is sure that all things occur as Allah knows and wills. Allah already knows whatever will happen. It is also the power of Allah to man to do good or bad deeds, but the conclusion lies in the fate of Allah. This thought is what makes the Muslim patient appreciative.
Significance of the Six Pillars of Faith
These are not beliefs to believe in, but have an impact on the whole life of a Muslim.
- Trust in Allah produces sincerity in worship.
- The belief in angels makes one believe that everything is being noted down.
- The desire to be guided is formed due to the belief in books.
- The faith in the messengers enhances the obedience and love spirit.
- The faith in resurrection causes an individual to do good things and shun sins.
- The faith in fate will bring tranquility and bravery to the heart.
All these combine to make the character of a Muslim whole and well-balanced.
Myths about Islamic Beliefs
- Other people believe that destiny implies that man is compelled, even though man is empowered.
- Angels in certain religions are granted the status of divinity, yet in Isl, they are just animals under the authority of Allah.
- Others view prophets as being God or the son of God, yet within Islam, all prophets are humans who serve Allah.
Conclusion
The life of a Muslim is based on the six pillars of Islam. These beliefs inform man what Allah is, what worship is right, what morals are, and what the purpose of life is. Without believing in them, Islam is incomplete. It is thus significant that a Muslim should know these beliefs, believe in them, and adjust his life based on them. That is the way to success, and that is genuine faith.
