The 6 Pillars
of Faith
The Six Pillars of Faith are the fundamental beliefs that make up Īmān (faith) in Islam. They explain what every Muslim is required to believe in their heart and accept as part of their faith. The Angel Jibrīl عليه السلام came to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and asked him about Īmān. The Prophet ﷺ replied: “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine decree (Qadar), both its good and its evil.” (Sahih Muslim 8a). These six beliefs form the foundation of a Muslim’s understanding of Allah, His revelation, His messengers, the unseen and the life to come, while teaching a Muslim to place their trust in Allah and accept His divine decree.
Belief in Allah
Allah reveals His absolute oneness and uniqueness in Surah al-Ikhlas, where He says: “Say, ‘He is Allah, One. Allah, the Self-Sufficient. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.’” (Qur’an 112:1–4). The Prophet ﷺ also explained the right of Allah upon His servants, saying: “Allah’s right upon His servants is that they worship Him and do not associate anything with Him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2865). The Prophet ﷺ also highlighted the great virtue of Surah al-Ikhlas, saying: “By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, it is equal to one-third of the Qur’an.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5013). These texts establish the central belief of Islam: that Allah is One, without partner, equal or comparable, and that He alone is worthy of worship.
Belief in His Angels
Muslims believe in the angels of Allah, who are a creation of Allah that exists beyond what we can normally see. They are created to worship and obey Allah and carry out the commands He gives them. Allah says: “They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.” (Qur’an 66:6). The Prophet ﷺ also taught that angels are created from light (Sahih Muslim 2996). Among the angels are Jibrīl عليه السلام, who brought revelation to the Prophets, and the angels who record a person’s deeds. Allah says: “And indeed, over you are keepers, noble and recording; they know whatever you do.” (Qur’an 82:10–12). Believing in the angels is therefore part of Īmān and means accepting their existence, their names where they have been mentioned to us, their attributes and the duties Allah has given them.
Belief in His Books
Muslims believe in the revealed Books that Allah sent to His Prophets, including the Tawrah (Torah) and the Injil (Gospel). Allah says: “He has sent down upon you the Book in truth, confirming what was before it, and He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.” (Qur’an 3:3). Muslims believe that these scriptures were originally revealed by Allah as guidance for their respective peoples, while the Qur’an is the final revelation, sent to Muhammad ﷺ and preserved as the final message for mankind. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The children of Israel used to be governed by the Prophets. Whenever a Prophet died, another Prophet succeeded him...” (Sahih Muslim 1842a), demonstrating the succession of Prophets sent to guide the Children of Israel. Allah says: “Indeed, We have sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light.” (Qur’an 5:44). The Qur’an also confirms the original revelation of the Injil to Isa عليه السلام. Believing in Allah’s revealed Books is therefore an essential part of Īmān, while believing that the Qur’an is the final and preserved revelation.
Belief in His Messengers
Muslims believe in all the Messengers whom Allah has named and revealed to us, and we also believe that Allah sent other Messengers whose names and stories have not been revealed to us. Allah says: “Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him...” and then mentions a number of Prophets, before stating: “And [We sent] messengers about whom We have told you and messengers about whom We have not told you.” (Qur’an 4:163–164). We therefore believe in all of Allah’s Messengers without rejecting any of them. All of the Messengers called their peoples to worship Allah alone, submit to Him and obey His commands. Allah says: “And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid false gods.’” (Qur’an 16:36). The Prophet ﷺ also said: “I am the closest of all the people to Jesus, son of Mary, in this world and the Hereafter. The Prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3443). Belief in the Messengers is therefore an essential part of Īmān, and Muslims believe in every Messenger sent by Allah.
Belief in the Last Day
Muslims believe in the Last Day, when Allah will resurrect all people and bring them to account for their deeds. Belief in the Last Day is an essential part of Īmān, reminding Muslims that this worldly life is temporary and that every person will ultimately return to Allah. Allah says: “And [mention] when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead.’ He said, ‘Do you not believe?’ He said, ‘Yes, but just to reassure my heart.’” (Qur’an 2:260). Allah also says: “And you see the earth lifeless, but when We send down rain upon it, it stirs and swells and grows something of every beautiful kind.” (Qur’an 22:5), demonstrating His power to bring life from what was lifeless. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The people will be gathered barefoot, naked and uncircumcised.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6527). Muslims therefore believe in the resurrection, the gathering of mankind, the reckoning and judgement, Paradise and Hell, and the eternal life that follows this world.
Muslims believe in Qadar, the divine decree of Allah, meaning that everything occurs by Allah’s knowledge, will and decree. Allah says: “No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah — He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things.” (Qur’an 64:11). The Prophet ﷺ taught that a believer should have certainty in Allah’s decree and place their trust in Him. He ﷺ said: “Know that what has passed you by could not have befallen you, and what befell you could not have passed you by.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 7377). The Prophet ﷺ also said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both. Strive for that which benefits you, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless. If something befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such-and-such,’ but say, ‘Allah decreed and He does what He wills.’” (Sahih Muslim 2664). Belief in Qadar means trusting Allah’s wisdom and decree while continuing to take the means, make responsible choices and strive to obey Him.
Qadar has four interconnected aspects: Allah’s knowledge, His writing, His will, and His creation. Allah has complete and perfect knowledge of everything that has happened, everything that is happening and everything that will happen. He has written everything that will occur in Al-Lawh al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet), as the Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah wrote the decrees of the creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.” (Sahih Muslim 2653). Nothing occurs except by Allah’s will, and whatever He wills to happen will happen, while human beings still possess a will and ability by which they make choices and are accountable for their actions. Allah is also the Creator of everything, including His creation, their abilities and their actions. Allah says: “Allah is the Creator of all things.” (Qur’an 39:62). Belief in Qadar therefore means believing that Allah knows all things, has written all things, wills whatever occurs and is the Creator of all things, while continuing to make choices, take the necessary means and strive to obey Him.
Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar)