What are the Islam’s basic beliefs? Pillars of Faith (Iman)

The Six Pillars of Faith (Iman) in Islam

 Pillars of Faith (Iman)

Islam is the 2nd largest and the fastest spreading religion in the world with a following of approximately 2 billion Muslims who make up nearly a quarter of the current world population. It is the one true faith accepted in the court of Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and the path to salvation. Today, we will have a look at a few most basic beliefs of Muslim sand will try to analyse them to understand and follow Islam in a better way. Here is a list of the primary beliefs that a Muslim should have:

• Belief in the existence and Oneness of Allah.

• Belief in the existence of Angels.

• Belief in the books of Allah.

• Belief in Allah's messengers and that Muhammad is the last of them.

• Belief in the Day of Judgement.

• Belief in the Life after Death 

1. Oneness of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

As Muslims, first of all, we believe that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ. He is one and alone and has no partner. He has no offspring nor is He born from anything. Associating a partner with Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ or considering anyone His equal is Shirk (Polytheism).

2. Prophet-hood of Sayyiduna Muhammad صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم

Secondly, Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم is the Messenger of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ sent to us to guide us to the right path with the word of Allah (Quran) and his teachings (Sunnah). He is the last Prophet of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and the most superior of all creation. Anyone claiming Prophet hood after the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم is a false claimant. The door of Prophet hood has been closed after the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم and no Prophet will come after him.

3. Belief in the Messengers of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

We believe that before Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم , other Prophets عَلَیْہِمُ السَّلَام, were sent by Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ to the human beings for their guidance who conveyed the message of Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ to their people and fulfilled their duties as Prophets عَلَیْہِمُ السَّلَام,. We believe in each of the Prophets عَلَیْہِمُ السَّلَام, sent by Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and that their message and teachings were true. Moreover, all the Prophets عَلَیْہِمُ السَّلَام, are free of sinning (Ma’soom)

4. Books and Scriptures Sent by Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ sent revelations to His Prophets and Messengers عَلَیْہِمُ السَّلَامin which the rights and wrongs were described to the people and the right way was shown in those books. We believe in each and every word sent by Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ. Out of those books and scriptures, the 4 main ones are:

Torait (Given to Musa عَلَیْہ السَّلَام)

Zabur (Given to Dawood عَلَیْہ السَّلَام)

Injeel (Given to Isa عَلَیْہ السَّلَام)

The Holy Quran (Revealed to Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم )

But alterations were made by the followers of the previous religions in the old books due to which they have been distorted and do not remain in their original form in which they were sent by Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ. However, the Holy Quran Kareem, to this day, remains in its pure original form in which it was revealed as Almighty Allahعَزَّ وَجَلَّ Himself has promised to protect it.

5. The Angels

Angels are a creation of Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ who obey every command of Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and can never knowingly or unknowingly disobey Him. They are made of light and they are very large in number. Each of them has a specific task to carry out for example some remain in worship, some are assigned to cause rain, bring the day and night, deliver sustenance, bring death etc. The four most prominent angels are:

Sayyiduna Jibraeel عَلَیْہ السَّلَام

Sayyiduna Mikaeel عَلَیْہ السَّلَام

Sayyiduna Izraeel عَلَیْہ السَّلَام

Sayyiduna Israfil عَلَیْہ السَّلَام

6. Life after Death

We are all sent here in this world for a limited time and we will return back to Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ where we will be held accountable for our actions. Human beings do not turn to anything after death instead; the real life starts after death. Everyone will be brought before Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ on the Judgement Day where accountability will be done for their good and bad deeds. The pious will be rewarded and the sinners will be punished. To sum it all up, there is no God except Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ , Muhammad صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم is His last Prophet before whom, other Prophets عَلَیْہِمُ السَّلَامwere also sent by Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ with holy book sand scriptures and there is life after death and judgement Day.

May Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ enable us to follow the right path which is the religion of Islam !