Comprehensive FAQ: Foundational Beliefs in Islam

Imagine Islam as a magnificent house—it needs a strong foundation and five load-bearing pillars to hold it upright. These five practices, known as the Five Pillars of Islam (Arkān al-Islām), are the essential acts of worship that define the Muslim identity and provide the structure for a spiritual life. [Image of the Five Pillars of Islam]

They are fundamental because they are the practical manifestation of faith, turning inner belief into outward action. These pillars are a holistic system designed to purify the soul, establish social justice, and connect the believer directly with God (Allah).

The Five Pillars:

1. The Testimony of Faith (Shahāda): The declaration, “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” This is the core commitment to Tawhid (oneness of God) and acceptance of the Prophet.
2. The Prayer (Salāh): The ritual prayer performed five times daily. It is a continuous spiritual cleanser and a direct connection (mi‘rāj) between the worshipper and God.

   Quranic Support: “Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater.” (Quran 29:45)

3. The Charity/Alms (Zakāh): An obligatory annual payment distributed to the poor and needy. It is an economic pillar of justice that purifies wealth and ensures community resources circulate.

   Quranic Support: “And establish prayer and give zakah, and whatever good you send forth for yourselves – you will find it with Allah.” (Quran 2:110)

4. The Fasting (Sawm): Abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn to sunset during Ramadan. This cultivates self-discipline (taqwa) and empathy.
5. The Pilgrimage (Hajj): The journey to Mecca, obligatory once in a lifetime for those able. It is a powerful demonstration of global unity and spiritual renewal.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) articulated their importance beautifully, saying: “Islam is built upon five: testifying that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayer, giving the Zakah, fasting in Ramadan, and performing Hajj to the House.” (Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim)

The Shahāda (الشهادة), or “The Testimony,” is the absolute core of Islam. It is the simple yet profound sentence that every Muslim repeats daily, often multiple times, and it is the very first thing whispered into a newborn baby’s ear.

In Arabic: (Ashhadu an lā ilāha illā Allāh, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan Rasūl Allāh)

In English: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

Meaning and Significance:

The Shahāda is a contract between a believer and God, carrying two inseparable parts:

1. (Lā ilāha illā Allāh) (There is no god but Allah): This establishes Tawhīd (Monotheism). It is a radical dedication to making God the ultimate authority, centering existence around the Creator alone. This brings a powerful sense of freedom from all worldly subservience.
2. (Muḥammadan Rasūl Allāh) (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah): This acknowledges Prophet Muhammad as the final messenger. It means accepting the guidance he brought—the Qur’an and his **Sunnah** (way of life)—as the authentic, practical path to living according to God’s will.

For a Muslim, the Shahāda is The Admission Ticket and The Daily Compass, constantly reminding them of their ultimate allegiance and purpose.

While the Five Pillars focus on the **actions** required of a Muslim, the **Six Articles of Faith** (Arkān al-Īmān) focus on the **beliefs** required. These are the fundamental theological truths that a Muslim must hold firmly in their heart to be considered a true believer (**Mu’min**).

These articles provide the conceptual framework for understanding the universe, humanity’s place in it, and the ultimate purpose of life.

The Six Articles:

1. Belief in God (Allah): The core belief in **Tawhid** (the oneness of God), His uniqueness, and all His perfect attributes.

   Quranic Support: “Say, ‘He is Allah, \[who is\] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'” (Quran 112:1-4)

2. Belief in His Angels: Belief in the unseen existence of angels (Malā’ika), who are created from light and perfectly execute God’s commands.
3. Belief in His Revealed Books: Acceptance of the Qur’an as the final, perfect, and preserved revelation, as well as the original forms of previous divine books (like the Torah and Gospel).
4. Belief in His Messengers and Prophets: Honoring and accepting all prophets sent by God throughout history (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, etc.) who delivered the same core message: worship God alone.

   Quranic Support: “All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, \[saying\], “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” (Quran 2:285)

5. Belief in the Day of Judgment (Resurrection): The belief that all humans will be resurrected, judged by God for their deeds, and assigned to Paradise or Hell. This instills a deep sense of responsibility.
6. Belief in Divine Decree (Qaḍā’ and Qadar): The belief that God has ultimate knowledge and a perfect, eternal plan, which provides comfort during hardship while still upholding human free will and accountability.

Tawhīd (توحيد), the absolute oneness of God, is the single most important concept in Islam. It means affirming the absolute singularity and uniqueness of God (Allah) in every sense. It is the central message of all prophets.

The Three Essential Dimensions of Tawhīd:

A. Tawhīd al-Rubūbiyyah (Oneness of Lordship):

Belief that God is the sole Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and Controller of the entire universe. He has no partners in the operation of the cosmos.

B. Tawhīd al-Ulūhiyyah (Oneness of Worship):

Belief that only God deserves to be worshipped, prayed to, and devoted to. This prohibits directing acts of devotion to any created being (prophets, saints, etc.).

Quranic Support: The very first chapter of the Quran states: “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.” (Quran 1:5)

C. Tawhīd al-Asmā’ wa al-Ṣifāt (Oneness of Names and Attributes):

Belief that God is unique in His Names (e.g., The Merciful, The King) and Attributes (e.g., Knowledge, Power). There is “nothing like Him” (Quran 42:11), rejecting any human analogy for His divine nature.

This concept is profoundly liberating. By centering life on the One Creator, it removes subservience to worldly things and provides a clear, unwavering moral compass.

The Islamic understanding of God’s nature is one of **absolute transcendence and perfection**, known through His **99 Beautiful Names** (Asmā’ Allāh al-Ḥusnā—The Beautiful Names of God). Muslims believe God is fundamentally *different* from His creation and is not bound by human limitations.

Core Principles:

• Absolute Transcendence (Tanzīh): God is separate from and above His creation. He is not a part of the world, nor is the world a part of Him.
• Absolute Uniqueness: “There is nothing like Him.” (Quran 42:11). This rejects any comparison between God and humans or any other created being.

His attributes are revealed through His Names, which illustrate His character and interaction with creation, encouraging a balance of hope and fear in the believer:

We hope in His forgiveness (Al-Ghafūr) and fear His justice (Al-Shadīd al-‘Iqāb), which motivates righteous living.

Belief in angels (Malā’ika) is the second Article of Faith. They are real, unseen beings created by God from **light** (nūr) to serve as the tireless administrators of God’s commands in the cosmos.

Key Characteristics and Roles:

• Perfect Obedience: They are fundamentally different from humans and Jinn because they lack free will and only execute God’s will perfectly.

  Quranic Support: “They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.” (Quran 66:6)

• Delivering Revelation: **Jibrīl** (Gabriel) conveyed the Qur’an and all divine messages to the prophets.
• Recording Deeds: The **Kirāman Kātibīn** (Noble Scribes) accompany every person, recording every action, word, and thought for the Day of Judgment.

  Quranic Support: “But indeed, \[appointed\] over you are protectors, noble writers, who know whatever you do.” (Quran 82:10-12)

• Taking Souls: **Malak al-Mawt** (The Angel of Death) is responsible for executing God’s command to take souls.
• Maintaining the Universe: Others are assigned to natural phenomena (rain, clouds, mountains) and signaling the final hour (**Isrāfīl**).

The role of angels solidifies the Muslim’s understanding of a highly organized universe, where every event is observed and governed by God’s command through His dutiful servants.

Belief in prophets and messengers (Anbiyā’ and Rusul) is the fourth Article of Faith. Islam teaches that God, in His infinite mercy, sent countless prophets to **every nation** with one universal, core message: **worship God alone (Tawhīd)**.

Key Beliefs:

• Continuous Chain: The chain began with Adam and includes figures revered in other traditions, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, and Jesus (peace be upon them all).
• No Distinction: Muslims must accept all of them equally, as they all delivered the same truth. To reject one is to reject them all.

  Quranic Support: “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” (Quran 2:285)

• Infallibility (‘Iṣmah): They were protected by God from major sins and error, ensuring the purity of the divine law they conveyed.
• Moral Perfection: They were the perfect human models, living examples (**Sunnah**) of how to apply the divine guidance in real life.

This system confirms God’s constant engagement with humanity, offering guidance through exceptional individuals.

Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) designation as the **”Seal of the Prophets”** (Khātim an-Nabiyyīn) is a crucial theological point, signifying the finality and completeness of God’s revelation. This title confirms the culmination of the prophetic cycle.

Quranic Support: “Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing.” (Quran 33:40)

The Significance:

1. End of Prophethood: No new prophet or messenger will ever come after him. His message is sufficient for humanity until the end of time.
2. Completeness of Revelation: The core religious law (**Sharia**) has been perfected and requires no further additions.

   Quranic Support: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Quran 5:3)

3. Preservation of the Message: The Qur’an and the Prophet’s life (**Sunnah**) are protected from corruption, guaranteeing the final message remains pure for all generations.

This designation provides stability and certainty to the Muslim faith, eliminating any confusion over later claims to prophethood.

Belief in the **Day of Judgment** (Yawm al-Qiyāmah) is the fifth Article of Faith, serving as the ultimate ethical and moral anchor. It affirms that the current universe will end, and all human beings will be resurrected to stand before God for a final, just judgment.

The Judgment Process:

• Accountability: Every person is held accountable for all deeds, intentions, words, and thoughts. Nothing is missed.
• The Records: A person’s life will be presented as a comprehensive record (the book of deeds), recorded meticulously by the angels.

  Quranic Support: “And the record \[of deeds\] will be placed \[open\], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it… What is this book that leaves neither a small thing nor a large thing except that it has enumerated it?” (Quran 18:49)

• The Scale: Deeds will be weighed on a divine scale to determine the eternal destination.

This belief instills a deep sense of responsibility, reminding believers that accountability is cosmic and eternal, providing motivation for moral living.

Heaven (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam) represent the two definitive, **eternal** outcomes in the afterlife. They are understood as real, physical places where the rewards and punishments for one’s life on Earth are experienced.

Jannah (Paradise): The Eternal Reward

• Ultimate Bliss: It is described as a place of unimaginable peace, where every spiritual and physical desire is fulfilled.
• Greatest Reward: The ultimate joy of Jannah is the ability to see God.
• Description: Lush gardens beneath which rivers flow (of water, milk, honey), free from sickness, pain, and sorrow.

  Quranic Support: “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them are the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging, wherein they will abide eternally.” (Quran 18:107-108)

Jahannam (Hell): The Ultimate Consequence

• Perfect Justice: Hell is a manifestation of God’s perfect justice for those who rejected His truth and committed the gravest sins (like **Shirk**—associating partners with God).
• A Warning: The vivid descriptions serve as a profound warning to take life’s moral and spiritual obligations seriously.
• Nature: A place of immense torment involving intense fire, boiling water, and severe cold.

The belief in these eternal destinations shapes a Muslim’s entire perspective, encouraging a dedicated life to gain God’s pleasure.