Pillars of Islamic Faith

Introduction to the Islamic Faith

Islam is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century CE in its present form. Its followers, known as Muslims, believe in one God (Allah) and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him), who they believe is the last and final prophet in a long line of prophets that includes Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (May Allah shower His Blessings all of them). We believe that all the apostles preached Islam. There are six pillars of the Islamic Faith.

These six pillars of the Islamic Faith are considered essential beliefs for all Muslims and are foundational to Islamic theology and practice. The six pillars of Iman, or the Islamic faith, are as follows:

This is the belief in the oneness of Allah as the only true God, the creator of the universe, and the source of all life.

This is the belief in the prophets and messengers sent by Allah, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and the final prophet, Muhammad. Muslims believe that the prophets were chosen by Allah to convey his message to
humanity.

This is the belief in the divine books revealed by Allah, including the Quran, the Torah, the Gospel, and the Psalms. Muslims believe that the Quran is the final and most comprehensive revelation from Allah.

This is the belief in the angels created by Allah to carry out his will and act as messengers between Allah and humanity.

This is the belief in the Day of Judgment when Allah will judge all souls based on their deeds in this life and determine their place in the afterlife.

This is the belief in the predestination of all things by Allah, including the destiny of human beings, but also the belief that human beings have free will and the ability to make choices.

Muslims believe that Allah is the only one who should be worshipped and that no other deity or object should be given the same level of devotion and obedience as Allah. Muslims believe that Allah is the only one who
has the power to forgive sins and it is through sincere repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah that one can attain salvation.

The belief in one God is so central to the Islamic faith that it is the first and foremost requirement for anyone to become a Muslim. The declaration of faith, known as the Shahada, is a testimony to this belief, and it states, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”

Muslims are encouraged to reflect on the signs of Allah’s existence and power in the natural world and to develop a
close relationship with Him through prayer, supplication, and acts of worship.

Belief in prophethood (Nubuwwah) is a fundamental tenet of the Islamic faith, and it refers to the belief that Allah
has sent prophets and messengers to guide humanity toward the right path. Muslims believe that these prophets were chosen by Allah to convey His message to people and that they were endowed with special knowledge and guidance from Allah.

Muslims believe that Allah has revealed His message to humanity through various prophets and messengers, who were sent to guide people toward the right path. These prophets include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and
Muhammad (May Allah shower His Blessings and Peace on all of them). Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last and final prophet and that his teachings are the final revelation from God.

Muslims believe that the prophets were sent to different nations and peoples throughout history and that they all preached the same message of monotheism, morality, and accountability to Allah. Muslims believe that Allah chose the best among humanity to be His prophets and messengers and that they were all models of righteousness and obedience to Allah.

Islam teaches that the first prophet was Adam, peace be upon him, and that the last and final prophet was Muhammad, peace be upon him. Muslims believe that Muhammad was the seal of the prophets and that his message and teachings were the final revelations from Allah to humanity. Muslims believe that the message of Islam represents the culmination of all previous revelations from Allah and that it contains all the guidance and knowledge that people need to live a fulfilling and righteous life.

Muslims believe that the prophets were not divine, but rather human beings who were chosen by Allah for a specific purpose. They were not infallible, but they were protected by Allah from committing major sins or errors in conveying His message. Muslims believe that the prophets were exemplars of humility, piety, compassion, and wisdom and that their lives serve as models for Muslims to follow.

Belief in prophethood is a central tenet of the Islamic faith, and it underscores the importance of following the
guidance of Allah and His messengers. Muslims are encouraged to learn about the lives and teachings of the prophets and to emulate their character and behavior in their daily lives.

Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, was born in Makkah, Arabia, in the year 571 CE. He was a
prophet and messenger of God, who was chosen to convey Allah’s message to humanity. Muslims believe that he is the last and final prophet in a long line of prophets that include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, grew up in a society that was marked by tribalism, idolatry, and moral decay. At the age of 40, he received his first revelation from Allah through the angel Gabriel, which marked the manifestation of his prophethood in this world. He spent the next 23 years of his life preaching the message of monotheism and calling people to worship Allah alone.

Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, faced significant opposition and persecution from the people of Makkah, who were resistant to his message. He and his followers faced boycotts, physical attacks, and social ostracism. Despite this, he remained steadfast in his mission and continued to preach the message of Islam.

In 622 CE, Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, and his followers migrated from Makkah to Medina, an event known as the Hijra. This marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar and a turning point in the history of Islam. Muhammad established a community of believers in Medina and formed alliances with other tribes, which helped to strengthen the position of Muslims.

Over the course of his life, Muhammad received numerous revelations from Allah, which were compiled into the holy book of Islam, the Quran. He also established the practices and rituals of Islam, which include the five daily prayers, charity, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Makkah.

Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, passed away in Medina in 632 CE, leaving behind a community of
believers who continued to follow his teachings and spread the message of Islam throughout the world. Today, he is revered as a prophet and messenger of God by over a billion Muslims around the world.

It is noteworthy that though Muhammd’s personality is central to the Islamic faith, still Muslims do not worship Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him. Muslims believe that
Muhammad was a prophet and messenger of God, who was chosen to convey Allah’s message to humanity. Muslims hold great respect and love for him, but they do not worship him or any other human being.

In Islam, worship is reserved for Allah alone, and no other entity or person can be worshipped or given the same level of devotion as Allah. Muslims believe that Muhammad was a human being and that he was chosen by Allah to deliver His message to humanity, but he was not divine and did not possess any special powers or abilities.

Muslims show their love and respect for Muhammad by following his example and teachings, which are recorded in the Hadith literature. Muslims strive to emulate his character, his way of life, and his devotion to Allah, as he is considered the perfect example of a righteous and obedient servant of Allah.

In summary, while Muslims hold great respect and love for Prophet Muhammad, they do not worship him or any other
human beings and worship is reserved for Allah alone.

Belief in scriptures (Kutub) is another fundamental tenet of the Islamic faith, and it refers to the belief that
Allah has sent down divine books or scriptures to guide humanity toward the right path. Muslims believe that these scriptures were revealed to different prophets and messengers throughout history and that they contain guidance,
wisdom, and knowledge that can help people navigate their lives and achieve success in the hereafter.

The most important scripture in Islam is the Quran, which Muslims believe was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, over a period of 23 years. Muslims believe that the Quran is the final revelation from Allah to humanity and that it contains all the guidance and knowledge that people need to live a righteous and fulfilling life.

Muslims also believe in other divine scriptures that were revealed to earlier prophets, such as the Torah (Tawrat) revealed to Moses, the Psalms (Zabur) revealed to David, and the Gospel (Injil) revealed to Jesus. However, Muslims believe that these earlier scriptures have been corrupted over time and that they are not present in their original form.

Muslims believe that the Quran is the only divine scripture that has been preserved in its original form and that it contains all the guidance and knowledge that people need to live a righteous and fulfilling life. Muslims consider the Quran to be the literal word of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, through the angel Gabriel. It is considered to be the ultimate source of guidance for Muslims and is the basis for all Islamic beliefs, practices, and laws.

Muslims are encouraged to study the Quran and to reflect on its teachings, as it provides guidance on all aspects of life, including faith, morality, spirituality, social justice, and personal conduct. The Quran is also recited daily in the five daily prayers, and Muslims believe that reciting and memorizing its verses brings blessings and rewards in this life and in the hereafter.

In summary, belief in scriptures is a central tenet of the Islamic faith, and it underscores the importance of seeking
guidance from Allah through the divine books or scriptures that He has revealed to humanity. The Quran is the ultimate source of guidance for Muslims, and it contains all the knowledge and guidance that people need to live a righteous and fulfilling life.

Belief in angels (Malaikah) is an important aspect of the Islamic faith, and it refers to the belief that Allah
has created a class of spiritual beings called angels, who play an important role in carrying out His commands and managing the affairs of the universe. Muslims believe that angels are created from light and that they are purely
spiritual beings, with no physical bodies or material form.

Muslims believe that angels are created from light and that they do not have free will like humans. They are obedient to Allah and carry out His commands without question. Muslims also believe that angels do not have the power to benefit or harm humans and that their role is to carry out Allah’s will.

Muslims believe that angels have different ranks and duties, with some being more important and powerful than others. The archangel Gabriel (Jibril) is particularly important in Islamic tradition, as he is responsible for conveying Allah’s messages to the prophets and messengers. Muslims also believe in other angels, such as the angel of death (Izra’il), who is responsible for taking the souls of humans when they die, and the angels who will be present on the Day of Judgment to carry out Allah’s commands.

Belief in angels underscores the Islamic belief in the unseen world, which is an important aspect of the Islamic faith. Muslims believe that the world is not limited to what can be perceived by the five senses and that there are
unseen forces and beings that play a role in the universe. Belief in angels also highlights the importance of obedience and submission to Allah, as angels are models of absolute obedience and devotion to Allah’s commands.

It is worth noting that angels are not considered deities in the Islamic faith. In Islam, there is only one God, Allah, and He is the only deity. Angels have created beings of Allah and are not worshipped or prayed to in Islam.

Belief in Akhirah, or the belief in the afterlife, is a fundamental tenet of the Islamic faith. Muslims believe that this life is not the end and that there is a greater purpose and plan that extends beyond our physical existence on Earth. The concept of Akhirah is central to Islamic belief and is mentioned throughout the Quran.

Muslims believe that after death, the soul continues to exist and is separated from the physical body. The soul is then
taken to the realm of the afterlife, where it will be judged by Allah based on its deeds in this life. The judgment will determine whether the soul will be rewarded with eternal paradise or punished in hellfire.

Muslims believe that the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah) is a real event that will take place in the future. On this
day, all human beings, both living and dead, will be resurrected, and they will stand before Allah for judgment. The Quran describes this day in great detail, stating that it will be a day of reckoning, where all deeds will be accounted
for and justice will be served.

Muslims believe that paradise (Jannah) is a place of eternal bliss and happiness, where believers will enjoy the
pleasures of Allah’s reward. On the other hand, hell (Jahannam) is a place of eternal punishment, where non-believers and those who have done evil in this life will face the consequences of their actions.

Belief in Akhirah gives Muslims a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It reminds them that their actions have
consequences and that they will be held accountable for their deeds. It also provides comfort to believers, knowing that there is a greater plan beyond this life and that they will be rewarded for their faith and good deeds.

In summary, belief in Akhirah is a central tenet of the Islamic faith. It gives Muslims a sense of purpose and
meaning in life and reminds them that their actions have consequences. Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment and that all souls will be judged based on their deeds in this life. Believers will be rewarded with eternal paradise, while
non-believers will face eternal punishment in hell.

It is believed that after death, the soul enters an intermediate state called the Barzakh, where it awaits the Day of Judgment. During this time, the soul is held accountable for its actions in life and experiences either comfort or torment depending on its deeds.

However, there is a belief in some Islamic traditions that after burial, the deceased is questioned in the grave by two angels called Munkar and Nakir about their faith and deeds. This questioning is known as
“questioning in the grave” or “test in the grave.” It is believed that the questioning is a test of faith and that the righteous will be granted ease while the unrighteous will suffer.

Belief in predestination (Qadar in Arabic) is a fundamental tenet of the Islamic faith. It is the belief that everything that happens in the universe, including the actions of human beings, is predetermined by Allah. This means that Allah has complete knowledge of everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future and that everything is happening according to His divine plan.

Muslims believe that Allah’s knowledge of everything is complete and perfect, and nothing can happen without His
permission. This belief does not mean that humans do not have free will or that they are forced to act in certain ways. Muslims believe that Allah has given humans the ability to make choices and decisions and that they are responsible
for their actions.

Muslims believe that Allah’s knowledge of everything that will happen in the future does not mean that humans should not strive to do good deeds or work toward positive change. Muslims are encouraged to make good choices and do good deeds in this life, as they will be rewarded for their efforts in the afterlife.

Belief in predestination provides Muslims with a sense of comfort and trust in Allah’s plan. It reminds them that everything happens for a reason and that Allah is in control of the universe. It also encourages them to have patience in difficult times, knowing that Allah has a plan for everything.

In summary, belief in predestination is a fundamental tenet of the Islamic faith. It is the belief that everything in the universe, including the actions of human beings, is predetermined by Allah. Muslims believe that Allah’s knowledge of everything that will happen in the future does not mean that humans should not strive to do good deeds or work toward positive change. Belief in predestination provides Muslims with a sense of comfort and trust in Allah’s plan and
encourages them to have patience in difficult times.