What is Iman? the 6 pillars of Faith.

What is the correct Islamic faith?

The Definition of faith idiomatically: The meaning is taken from the verb to contract or to link and tighten strongly. Iman\ Faith is the heart of Islam. We need to keep our Iman strong so that our religion Islam will be complete. A pillar is what supports a building and keeps it from collapsing, it is an essential part of the structure. In the same way, Islamic Aqidah (Creed\ ideology) cannot exist without essential beliefs, the pillars of faith, or what we called it in Arabic “Arkanul-Iman”.

The six pillars of Iman were mentioned in the Hadith when the angel Jibreel visited the prophet (PBUH) and His companions:

“Inform me about Iman (faith).” He (the Prophet) answered, “It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadar), both in its good and in its evil aspects.”
Muslim

These Six pillars are as in the following:

1- Belief in Allah (SWT):

Every Muslim believes that Allah (SWT) exists and He alone created and sustains everything else in existence, He is the only Lord and sovereign of the universe. He is the only One we should worship and pray to. He (SWT) has the best names and attributes. He (SWT) causes every occurrence and controls all affairs. Tawheed is the confirmation of Allah’s oneness in His every aspect.

2- Belief in Allah’s Angels (Al-Malai’kah):

The angels are Allah’s servants. Allah created angels from light. We cannot see them, but we know that they are there! this is because Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) told us so. They always obey Allah (SWT). They have no free will and always praise, worship, and serve Allah (SWT). They have particular functions and duties assigned to them by Allah (SWT). Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) was entrusted with conveying the revelation of Allah to prophets and messengers. Angel Jibreel brought the Quran to the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at the command of Allah(SWT). Angel Mikaeel (Michael) is in charge of rain and plant growth. Angel Israfeel who will blow the horn at the final hour (the day of judgment). Angel Malik is the keeper of Hell. Some angels are responsible for fetuses in the womb. Others are protecting the living from dangers, Others are recording people’s deeds, and every one of us has two angels who remain with us all the time. Angels love believers and they always ask Allah to bless and support them.

Abud-Darda reported Allah’s Messenger(PBUH) said:

“The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the oceans seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars (i.e., in brightness). The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only that of knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion.”

There are other creatures that Allah (SWT) created from Fire (Jinn), they are different from Angels. The evil Jinn are devils who try to tempt people to disobey Allah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised us to recite Surahs Al-Nas and Al-Falaq to keep them away. “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: ‘You will never recite anything greater before Allah than: “Say: I seek refuge with (Allah), the Lord of the daybreak.” And “Say: I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind.’. another Hadith: “(Say:) I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast (then blow with a little spittle to your left).”

3- Belief in Allah’s Books:

Allah (SWT) sent guidance to us through His prophets. The guidance is called “Wahi” or “Revelation” Allah’s Books mentioned in the Quran are:

• The Torah: Revealed to prophet Musa (Moses).
• The Injeel (bible): Revealed to prophet Isa (Jesus).
• The Zabur: Revealed to prophet Dawud (David).
• The Suhuf: Revealed to prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and Musa.
• The Quran: Revealed to prophet Muhammad.

Only the Quran is still in its original, unchanged from the time of its revelation. Allah(SWT) Himself protected it from any distortion. It is the pure words of Allah and it corrects whatever was changed in the previous scriptures by man.

“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.” Surah Al-Hijr

4- Belief in Allah’s Messengers:

Allah (SWT) sent the prophets and messengers as a mercy to mankind. They are human beings with superior morals selected by Allah to remind people about Him (SWT) and to guide them into the path leading to His paradise. The difference between a prophet and a messenger is that the prophet received revelation from Allah, while a messenger (Rasoullaah) is the prophet who was charged by Allah to reform society.

Muhammad bin Abdullah (PBUH) was the last prophet Who conveyed the final message of Islam. There is no more prophet or messenger after the prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Evidence from the Quran, Allah says in Surah Al-Ahzab:

“Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing.”

5- Belief in the Last Day:

We believe in the Day of Judgement (Yawm-ul-Qiyamah) or (The Hour) or (Al- Yum-ul-Akhir), and other names mentioned in the Quran. The day that, Inevitably, will come after every human, plant, and animal dies.

No one knows when the Day of Judgement will occur. Even the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) didn’t know when is the Hour.

Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:

“They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the Hour: when is its arrival? Say, “Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly.” They ask you as if you are familiar with it. Say, “Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know.” Surah Al-A’raf: 187

By Allah’s permission, all people who lived on the earth will be restored to life and gathered for judgment. The perfect justice of Allah will be fully realized to people; He will inform people about everything they did and said during their lives and Allah will judge each one accordingly.

• When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake
• And the earth discharges its burdens
• And the man says, “What is [wrong] with it?” –
• That Day, it will report its news
• Because your Lord has commanded it.
• That Day, the people will depart separated [into categories] to be shown [the result of] their deeds.
• So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it,
• And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it. Surah Azalzalah

6- Belief in Al-Qadar:

We believe in Allah’s will. Qadar expresses the concept of divine decree, destiny, or fate. Qadar is that Nothing happens without Allah’s permission.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

“How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him”

Hadith – Sharif

Muslims accept everything happens; if good things happen we thank Allah. If bad things happen we accept it and praise Allah and say “Al-Hamdulillah”. We should trust in Allah (SWT) no matter what happens, we should always do the right and trust Allah (SWT).

Conclusion

In Simple words, to have complete faith, you should believe in the six pillars of Iman, all the above-mentioned topics in this article can be found while reading and learning the Quran. join our Quran recitation lessons free trial and Islamic studies courses