What is meant by the 6 Pillars of Iman?
The 6 Pillars of Iman refer to every Muslim’s foundation, without which one is considered a Kufr. These fundamentals are described in the Quran and Hadith and sum up what a Muslim believes in concerning Allah, the angels, the books, the prophets, the last day, and destiny.
The pillars are:
- Belief in Allah (S.W.T.)
- Belief in AngS.W.T.
- Belief in the Books of Allah
- Amanah-ul-Muslimeen Section Belief in the Messengers of Allah
- Belief in the Day of Judgment
- Conservatism regarding the principle of Qadar or predestination
1. Belief in Allah (S.W.T.)
The first and second threats are the conviction of Allah (S.W.T.). This includes S.W.T.as of the oneness of Allah or Tawhid. Muslims accept that Allah is the only God and creator of the universe, and everyone and nothing is worthy to be worshipped except Allah.
This is the belief in Islam regarding Allah: He is one, and there is none like Him or other but Him, and He is not imaginable by people. He is almighty, all-knowing, and merciful, and Muslims should only pray to Him.
Quranic Reference:
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ. اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ. لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ. وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ.
Translation:
He said, ‘Say: He is Allah the One. Allāhus-ṣamad‘ (The Eternal Refugeerg:) BUT IT LITERALLY SAYS: HIS IS THE BEGETTING, NOR WAS HE BEGOTTEN AND THEREFORE IN HIM NO PARABLE CAN FALL.
(Surah Al-Ikhlas, 112:1-4)
This also follows from the centrality of responsibility to Allah—as creator and sustainer—which is borrowed from all Islamic engines.
2. Belief in Angels
The second foundation is the belief in Angels. Muslims also know that angels were created from light and perform what Allah (S.W.T.) asked of S.W.T.em. S.W.T. They are holy spirit beings wholly devoted to Allah and assist people on a path to spiritual enlightenment.
The most famous are Angel Jibreel, who revealed the messages to the prophets, and Angel Mika’il, who governs the world of nature and life. Angels also record deeds, safeguard the believers, and punish on behalf of Allah whenever needed.
Quranic Reference:
يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يَعْرُجُ إِلَيْهِ فِي يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ
Translation:
He orders matter from the heaven to the earth; then it will rise to Him in a day like the thousand years of what you measure,
(Surah As-Sajdah, 32:5)
3. Belief in the Books of Allah
The next one is belief in the books of Allah (S.W.T.). Muslims believe Allah revealed to them to bring guidance from the darkness of human life.
- Tawrat — revealed to Musa (Moses)
- The Psalms (Zabur), the revelation to Dawud
- Injil: (might be a Gospel something that was given to Isa(Jesus 🙂
- Quran is the holy book of Islam, which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.).
MuslimsP.B.UP.B.U.H. Like old books that are altered- history was modified in several ways due to human, fallible nature. The Quran will never be changed. It is a field guide to all the living things,
how to live a total existence.
Quranic Reference:
نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَأَنزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ
Translation:
Verily, He has transmitted unto you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, —the confirmation of what is before it. And he showed the Torah, and the Gospel.”
(Surah Al-Imran, 3:3)
4. Belief in Allah’s Sermons
Fourth, we must believe in Allah’s messengers and apostles. Allah has frequently sent prophets and messengers to call people back from their crooked ways. These messengers were the appointed mediums to convey Allah’s message, clarify His law, and set examples for all humanity.
Messengers include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. Muslims are severely closing the gate of Prophethood, stating they will not let any other prophet appear after Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.).
Quranic Reference:
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ
Translation:
And We sent not the messengers except as who give glad tidings and warn, to those, so that they would uphold people in justice; was revealed with it the Book and Balance.
(Surah Al-Hadid, 57:25)
5. Belief iP.B.U.H.e Day of JudgmentP.B.U.H. fifth pillar is about the Day of Judgment. Muslims are expected to believe that this world is only a trial and that people will have to be raised again on the Last Day. On this day, Allah will, therefore, separate everyone based on his deeds, the truthful followers of his guidance, and those who defied his instructions.
The system of the Day of Judgment, which is emphasized in the post of a receiver, means lifestyles and implies that our behavior is subject to accountability for the Day of Judgment in the Hereafter.
Quranic Reference:
وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئًا ۖ
Translation:
And We shall spread justice among the nations on the Day of Resurrection – no soul will be tricked at all.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:47)
6. The belief in predestination (Qadar)
The sixth and last of them is the belief in Qada. Muslims are also used to the idea that Allah, or the Lord, knows everything and that nothing occurs without His permission. This belief involves believing that whatever happens to a person, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, all comes from Allah.
As much as human beings can make choices, they make them with the permission of Allah, and all things that transpire in the universe do so with the permission of Allah. The belief of Qadar serves to find calm when a Muslim feels upset, thinking that Allah has the perfect knowledge of every situation.
Quranic Reference:
إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَاهُ بِقَدَرٍ
Translation:
“In fact, We created all things ready-made.”
(Surah Al-Qamar, 54:49)
Conclusion
Beliefs influence behavior, and the foundations of those beliefs form our reality—these established realities we have to create. The 6 Pillars of Iman offer just that: Muslims can use a specific framework as they navigate society today. Some key elements to living the Islamic life include belief in Allah, the angels, the Holyks, the Prophets, your prayers on judgment day, and everything that takes place, which are counted by fate.
As a teaching institution, Kanzolquran teaches every Muslim to work and incorporate these pillars in their lifetime. For more information regarding Islamic teachings and courses, you can visit Kanzolquran.org, which provides information and resources on Islamic faith development.