The Six Pillars of Iman (Faith)

The Six Pillars of Iman (Arkan al-Iman) define what a Muslim must believe in their heart. These articles of faith were taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the famous hadith of Jibril, when the angel Jibril came in the form of a man and asked about Islam, Iman, and Ihsan (Sahih Muslim). Iman is the internal belief that complements the external practice of Islam's five pillars.

1. Belief in Allah

The foremost article of faith is belief in Allah as the one true God, the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all existence. This encompasses His Lordship (Rububiyyah), His sole right to worship (Uluhiyyah), and His perfect Names and Attributes (al-Asma wa al-Sifat). Allah says: "There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing" (Quran 42:11).

2. Belief in the Angels

Muslims believe in the existence of angels, created from light, who carry out Allah's commands without disobedience. Major angels include Jibril (Gabriel), who delivered revelation; Mikail (Michael), responsible for provisions; Israfil, who will blow the Trumpet on the Day of Judgment; and Azrail (the Angel of Death). The Quran states: "Praise be to Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four" (Quran 35:1).

3. Belief in the Revealed Books

Muslims believe in all the scriptures Allah revealed to His prophets, including the Suhuf (scrolls) of Ibrahim, the Tawrah (Torah) given to Musa, the Zabur (Psalms) given to Dawud, the Injil (Gospel) given to Isa, and the Quran given to Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Quran is the final revelation and the criterion over all previous scriptures: "And We have revealed to you the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it" (Quran 5:48).

4. Belief in the Messengers

Muslims believe in all prophets and messengers sent by Allah, from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all). The Quran names 25 prophets, and states: "We sent a messenger to every community" (Quran 16:36). Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets (Quran 33:40), after whom no new prophet will come.

5. Belief in the Last Day

Belief in the Day of Judgment, when all of creation will be resurrected, held to account for their deeds, and assigned their eternal abode in Paradise or the Hellfire. The Quran repeatedly describes this Day: "Everyone upon the earth will perish, and there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor" (Quran 55:26-27).

6. Belief in Divine Decree (Qadr)

The final pillar is belief that everything that occurs, both good and seemingly harmful, happens by the will and knowledge of Allah. This includes four levels: Allah's eternal knowledge, His recording of all events in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz), His will that nothing occurs except by His permission, and His creation of all things. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If the entire ummah were to gather together to benefit you, they could not benefit you except with something Allah has already written for you" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi).