Islam is built upon six fundamental beliefs, which form the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and worldview. These beliefs guide how Muslims understand their relationship with Allah, the universe, and the afterlife.

1. Belief in Allah (Oneness of God – Tawheed)

The most fundamental belief in Islam is Tawheed, the absolute oneness of Allah. Muslims believe that:

• Allah is One – He has no partners, equals, or children.

• Allah is Eternal – He was never created, nor will He ever die.

• Allah is All-Powerful and All-Knowing – He controls everything in the universe and has complete knowledge of the past, present, and future.

• Allah is Just and Merciful – He rewards good deeds and holds people accountable for their actions.

Muslims worship Allah alone and reject any form of idolatry or associating partners with Him (shirk), which is considered the gravest sin in Islam.

2. Belief in Angels (Mala’ika)

Muslims believe in the existence of unseen spiritual beings known as angels, created from light. Angels do not have free will like humans; they only obey Allah’s commands. Some of the most important angels include:

• Jibreel (Gabriel) – The angel who delivered revelations from Allah to the prophets, including the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

• Mika’il (Michael) – Responsible for providing sustenance, including rain and food.

• Israfil (Raphael) – The angel who will blow the trumpet to signal the Day of Judgment.

• Malik and Ridwan – Guardians of Hell and Paradise, respectively.

• Munkar and Nakir – The angels who question the souls in the grave.

Angels record human deeds, protect believers, and carry out Allah’s commands.

3. Belief in Divine Books (Kutubullah)

Muslims believe that Allah revealed divine scriptures to guide humanity. These books contain His teachings and laws, though some were altered or lost over time. The major revealed books include:

• The Torah (Tawrah) – Given to Prophet Musa (Moses, PBUH).

• The Psalms (Zabur) – Given to Prophet Dawud (David, PBUH).

• The Gospel (Injeel) – Given to Prophet Isa (Jesus, PBUH).

• The Quran – The final and complete revelation, given to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which remains unchanged.

Muslims believe that the Quran is the final and ultimate guidance, preserved in its original form without any alteration. It confirms and completes the messages of previous scriptures.

4. Belief in Prophets (Risalah)

Prophets are chosen individuals sent by Allah to guide humanity toward righteousness. Muslims believe that:

• Allah sent 124,000 prophets throughout history to different nations.

• 25 prophets are mentioned by name in the Quran, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).

• All prophets preached the same message of monotheism and submission to Allah.

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the final prophet, and no prophet will come after him.

Prophets serve as role models for humanity, showing how to worship Allah and live morally upright lives.

5. Belief in the Day of Judgment (Akhirah)

Muslims believe that life on earth is temporary and that everyone will be resurrected after death to be judged by Allah. This belief includes:

• Resurrection – Every human will be brought back to life after death.

• Accountability – People will be judged based on their deeds, both good and bad.

• Heaven (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam) – The righteous will be rewarded with eternal paradise, while wrongdoers will face punishment.

• The Scale (Mizan) – Deeds will be weighed to determine one’s fate.

• Intercession (Shafa’ah) – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will intercede on behalf of believers.

This belief encourages Muslims to live responsibly and prepare for the hereafter by following Allah’s commands.

6. Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar – Predestination)

Muslims believe that everything happens according to Allah’s knowledge, will, and wisdom. This belief includes:

• Allah’s Knowledge – He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen.

• Allah’s Will – Nothing occurs without His permission.

• Human Free Will – While Allah knows what choices people will make, they still have the ability to choose between good and evil.

• Tests and Trials – Life’s hardships are part of Allah’s plan to test human faith and patience.

This belief teaches Muslims to trust in Allah, remain patient during difficulties, and strive to do good.

Conclusion

The six core beliefs of Islam provide a complete framework for a Muslim’s faith and understanding of life. They emphasize the oneness of Allah, the unseen world of angels, divine guidance through scriptures and prophets, the reality of the afterlife, and trust in Allah’s plan. These beliefs shape a Muslim’s way of life, guiding them toward righteousness, worship, and moral responsibility.