Belief in Allah | The 6 Pillars of Eman (Faith)

Our relationship with Allah is strengthened by Islam’s teachings that explain what we should believe and how we should act upon these beliefs.

Eman (Faith) is the foundation of Islam. The word means acceptance of all the religious beliefs which are part of the Islamic faith.

As Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:

Narrated Abu Huraira: One day while the Prophet, peace be upon him, was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, “What is faith?” Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, replied: ‘Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Prophets, Belief in the Revealed Scriptures, Belief in the Messengers, and to believe in Resurrection.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 50]

As one of the main foundations of Islam, the six pillars of Eman (faith) are examined in this article:

1. Belief in the Oneness of God (Tawheed):

The first pillar of faith in Islam is to believe in Allah, the one and only God. Allah created the universe and everything in it. 

He knows everything and can do anything. He is merciful and forgiving.

The most essential teaching in Islam is that Allah should be worshipped alone. And it is shirk (polytheism) to worship anyone or anything else (prophets, saints, people, statues, pictures, animals).

A true believer in Islam believes that there is only one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is his prophet. 

And also believe that Allah is eternal and has always existed. He is also all-knowing and present everywhere.

Allah Says:

{وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الإِنْسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ}

(interpretation of the meaning) And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge)

[Quran, 50:16]

Islamic faith

2.Belief in the Angels of God (Malaika):

Muslims believe Allah uses angels to communicate his messages to humanity. Angels are created from light.

Angels have no free will; they only obey Allah. Examples of the angels are Jibril (Gabriel), peace be upon him, Israfil (the angel who blows the trumpet to signal Qiyamah) the day of judgment, Maalik (the angel who administrates the Hellfire), etc.

Islamic faith

3.Belief in the Books (Revelations) of God (kutub):

Muslims believe that Allah revealed his laws to humans gradually through his prophets.

Muslims believe in the original Torah given to Moses, peace be upon him, Psalms given to David, peace be upon him, and the Gospel given to Jesus, peace be upon him, as holy books because they believe Allah revealed them to his prophets.

Allah says:

قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ

(interpretation of the meaning) Say (O Muslims), “We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qub (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and ‘Iesa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam).”

[Quran, 2:136]

The Quran is the final and most authentic revelation because it contains the perfection of the previous prophets’ teachings.

It is considered the final revelation because it is believed to be the literal word of Allah, and it is not subject to change. 

It is also believed to be the most complete and perfect revelation because it contains guidance for all people of all time, unlike previous scriptures sent to specific people and times.

Allah Says:

{الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا}

(interpretation of the meaning) This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor on you and chosen Islam as a religion.

[Quran, 5:3]

Islamic faith

4.Belief in the Prophets or Messengers of God (Anbiya):

Allah Almighty chose people, not angels or other supernatural entities, to serve as messengers. 

These chosen messengers are ordinary people who can empathize with others and comprehend their struggles. 

The messengers of Allah educate people on how to lead a righteous life, emphasizing the significance of kindness, honesty, and helpfulness. 

They also stress the importance of obeying Allah’s instructions. 

Prophet Muhammed’s message applies to all people, regardless of their ethnic background, faith, or citizenship. 

He was dispatched to all of humankind, not just a particular group.

The life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was filled with great success. 

He displayed exceptional moral qualities, spiritual power, unyielding determination, and teachings of excellence and perfection. 

Allah says:

{وَمَنْ لَمْ يُؤْمِنْ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَإِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ سَعِيرًا}

(interpretation of the meaning) And whosoever does not believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), then verily, We have prepared for the disbelievers a blazing Fire.

[Quran, 48:13]

Islamic faith

5.Belief in the Day of Judgment (Akhirah):

In the Holy Quran, the belief in the Day of Judgment is widely emphasized. Islam teaches that physical death is not the end of our existence but rather a gateway to a higher form of life that can bring us closer to Allah, depending on our actions in this life. 

The Holy Quran states that on the Day of Judgment, the universe as we know it will end, and the deceased will be resurrected. 

Their actions will be evaluated, and they receive rewards or punishments accordingly. 

Those who have obeyed Allah will be granted Heaven, while those with immoral deeds will face punishment in Hell. 

6. Belief in the Divine Decree (Al-Qadr):

The Islamic faith holds that God, as the Sustainer of all life, has complete knowledge and control over everything that occurs. 

However, this does not negate the concept of free will. 

Instead, God does not force individuals to act in a certain way; their choices are known to Him beforehand due to His omniscience. 

This can be comforting during difficult times because it means God is with us and knows what we are going through.

Accordingly, the six articles of Islamic faith are essential beliefs for Muslims that shape their worldview and practices.

These beliefs help us understand life’s purpose, nature, and the relationship between God and humanity.

Muslims are committed to following these beliefs and their ultimate purpose of worshiping and pleasing Allah by adhering to them.

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