بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful)
Faith in Islam is not limited to actions alone but also to a deep belief in certain fundamental truths. These core beliefs form the foundation of every Muslim’s faith, guiding their understanding of the world, their relationship with Allah, and their actions. The Six Articles of Faith are a central part of the Islamic creed, making them essential to every Muslim’s belief system.
Let us begin by examining the authentic sources of Islam, where the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) clearly outlined these six articles of faith.
Hadith:
It is narrated on the authority of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) as part of a long hadith:
أَنْ تُؤْمِنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلاَئِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَتُؤْمِنَ بِالْقَدَرِ خَيْرِهِ وَشَرِّهِ
“That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Last Day, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil.”
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 1
1. Belief in Allah (Tawhid)
Meaning:
The belief in the oneness of Allah, that He is the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign of the universe. No deity is worthy of worship except Allah, and He has no partners, associates, or equals.
Importance:
Belief in Allah is the very foundation of Islam. It is the first and most important belief in the Islamic creed. Everything in a Muslim’s life revolves around this belief.
Virtues:
- The one who sincerely believes in Allah’s oneness enters Paradise.
- It directs Muslims’ worship solely towards Allah, worshipping Him alone as is Allah’s right, keeping their heart free from shirk (associating partners with Allah).
2. Belief in Angels (Malaika)
Meaning:
Belief in the existence of angels, created by Allah from light, who carry out various tasks as He commands. These unseen angels have specific roles such as delivering revelations to the prophets, recording deeds, and protecting the believers.
Importance:
This belief connects the unseen world to the believer, strengthening their trust in Allah’s control over the universe. It also enhances a Muslim’s spiritual awareness.
Virtues:
- Angels intercede for the believers, praying for their forgiveness.
- Angels are witnesses to the deeds of humans and help protect believers from harm.
- Angels have a positive effect on a person and their heart, and keep a person away from evil.
3. Belief in the Divine Books (Kutub)
Meaning:
The belief in the holy books revealed by Allah to His messengers. These include the Tawrah (Torah), Zabur (Psalms), Injil (Gospel), and the Qur’an, with the Qur’an being the final and complete revelation.
Importance:
The books of Allah guide humanity. Belief in them affirms the truth of the past revelations and the ultimate finality of the Qur’an.
Virtues:
- The Qur’an serves as a comprehensive guide for life.
- The other revealed books are respected in Islam as the word of Allah, with the Qur’an being the last and unaltered scripture.
- This belief also makes believers grateful that the unadulterated Quran is with us, unlike the previous scriptures, which are either lost or corrupted.
4. Belief in the Messengers (Rusul)
Meaning:
Belief in all of Allah’s messengers, from Nuh to the final prophet and messenger Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), who were sent to guide humanity. They were the chosen ones who received divine revelations to spread the message of monotheism and righteous living.
Importance:
This belief connects the Muslim with the legacy of the Messengers, each of whom played a pivotal role in guiding mankind to worship Allah alone.
Virtues:
- Belief in the messengers affirms the continuity of Allah’s guidance through history.
- Loving and following the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) leads to closeness to Allah.
5. Belief in the Last Day (Yawm al-Aakhir)
Meaning:
Belief in the Last Day. This includes the afterlife; the Day of Judgement, when all humans will be resurrected and be present before Allah. They will be judged (except for the prophets and select pious, who will enter Paradise directly), and enter either Paradise or Hell. This belief shapes the Muslims’ actions, knowing that they will be held accountable for their choices.
Importance:
The Last Day is a reminder of the reality of the Hereafter, urging Muslims to live righteously in preparation for the final judgment. It is part of the belief of Allah. Because belief in Allah entails believing He is able to bring the dead back to life, and the belief that we all shall meet Him after death.
Virtues:
- The awareness of the Last Day helps a believer remain focused on the afterlife rather than worldly distractions.
- It encourages them to live with accountability, knowing their actions will be rewarded or punished.
6. Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar)
Meaning:
Belief in Qadar refers to the belief that everything that happens, whether good or bad, is preordained by Allah’s will. This includes matters of life, death, provision, and every event in the universe.
Importance:
This belief in divine decree fosters acceptance, patience, and trust in Allah’s wisdom. It teaches that everything has a purpose, even in times of difficulty.
Virtues:
- It helps to maintain peace and patience in the face of adversity.
- Understanding Qadar strengthens faith in Allah’s omnipotence and mercy, knowing that He controls all aspects of life.
