The Six Pillars of Faith (Iman) in Islam: Foundation of Muslim Creed
Iman (Arabic: إيمان) is an Arabic word meaning "faith." In Islamic tradition, faith represents the greatest treasure that a person can acquire. It surpasses in value all material goods of the world, as it is the key to salvation in eternal life.
True faith shapes a person's worldview, determining their attitude toward life, death, and eternity. A believer cares about their fate in the afterlife, while non-believers often live without considering the consequences of their actions.
The Six Pillars of Faith in Islam
Islamic doctrine is based on six fundamental pillars of faith that every Muslim must accept. These pillars form a complete system of beliefs and are mandatory for all followers of Islam.
1. Faith in Allah (Tawhid)
The first and main pillar is faith in the one God, Allah. This means acknowledging that Allah is the only Creator, Lord, and Ruler of all existence. He has no partners, neither begets nor is begotten, and there is none equal to Him.
2. Faith in Allah's Angels
The second pillar includes belief in the existence of angels – Allah's creations made of light who carry out His commands. Angels do not possess free will and unconditionally obey the Almighty. Among them are archangels such as Jibril (Gabriel), Mikail (Michael), and Israfil.
3. Faith in the Sacred Books
The third pillar is faith in the Divine Scriptures revealed to prophets. These include the Torah, Gospel, Psalms, and Quran. Muslims believe that the Quran is the final and uncorrupted Divine revelation.
4. Faith in Prophets and Messengers
The fourth pillar is faith in all prophets and messengers of Allah, including Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, ‘Isa, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final prophet and the seal of prophethood.
5. Faith in the Day of Judgment
The fifth pillar is faith in the Day of Resurrection, when all people will be resurrected and stand before Allah for final judgment. On this day, everyone will receive recompense for their deeds in earthly life.
6. Faith in Predestination (Qadar)
The sixth pillar is faith in divine predestination. This means that everything that happens in the world occurs by the will and knowledge of Allah. Muslims believe that Allah knows everything that was, is, and will be, while humans still bear responsibility for their actions.
The Importance of All Six Pillars
Islamic doctrine emphasizes that all six pillars of faith are interconnected and equally important. If a person does not acknowledge at least one of these pillars, their faith is not considered complete according to Islamic teaching.
The Significance of Faith in a Muslim's Life
Faith in Islam is not merely intellectual agreement with certain statements. It is a comprehensive worldview that affects all aspects of a person's life:
- Spiritual Guidance: Faith provides believers with clear life guidance based on divine revelation
- Moral Principles: The six pillars form an ethical system that guides Muslim behavior
- Inner Peace: Faith in divine wisdom and justice brings spiritual tranquility
- Life Purpose: Understanding one's place in the divine plan gives life profound meaning
The Rationality of Islamic Faith
Islam emphasizes harmony between faith and reason. By contemplating the universe, a person comes to the logical conclusion about the existence of a Creator. Islamic doctrine does not contradict common sense, but rather calls for reflection and knowledge.
Conclusion
The six pillars of faith constitute the foundation of Islamic worldview and are mandatory for every Muslim. These pillars create a complete system of beliefs that encompasses all aspects of existence – from acknowledging the one God to understanding the meaning of life and afterlife existence. True faith in Islam is the path to spiritual perfection and eternal salvation.