Six Articles of Faith in Islam

Belief in Allah (God)

Allah is the arabic name for God in Islam. This is the same diety as the Christians and Jews, the Qur’an declares, “Our God and your God are one” (Qur’an 29:46). For instance the Arab Christians in the Middle East use the same word Allah for God. The interpretation however is different as Muslims do not believe in the trinity and adhere to a strict monothiestic belief. In Islam, Allah is not referred to as the Father and has no sons or daughters, He is the Creator and does not depend on anything, all creation depend on Allah.

There are 99 names or attributes of Allah including Ar-Rahman meaning “Most Benificent” and Al-Qudoos, “Most Sacred/Holy.” Muslims believe that all the previous messengers believed in Allah, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ

“Say, ˹O Prophet, ˺ “He is Allah—One and Indivisible.

Allah—the Sustainer needed by all.

He has never had offspring, nor was He born.

And there is none comparable to Him.”

Qur’an Sura Ikhlas – 112:1-4

Belief in His Malaika (Angels)

Angels are a part of the unseen, beings made of light that have no free will. They constantly praise Allah and are the most abundant type of creation. At times they come to Earth in human form and Muslims believe there are two angels on every person’s shoulders recording their good and bad deeds.

There is no concept of a fallen angel in Islam, the belief that Satan (Iblis) is a fallen angel is rejected, however he does exist and is a being of different origin, made of fire, called Jinn. Angels are pure and cannot sin.

Angels mentioned by name in Qur’an and hadith:

Jibreel (Gabriel): The archangel brought down revelation to Prophet Muhammad and other Prophets of Allah.

Israfeel (Raphael): He is in charge of blowing the trumpet to signal the Day of Judgment.

Mikail (Michael): This angel is in charge of natural events, sustenance and rain. Mikail often accompanied Jibreel when visiting the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Malak Al-Maut (Angel of Death): This archangel takes possession of souls after death. he does not choose which soul to take and follows Allah’s decree alone.

Munkar and Nakeer: After death, these two angels will question souls in the grave about their faith and deeds and are responsible for punishing disbelieving souls in the grave.

“He reigns supreme over all of His creation, and sends recording-angels, watching over you. When death comes to any of you, Our angels take their soul, never neglecting this duty.”

Qur’an Al-Anam 6:61

Belief in His Books (Scriptures)

From Adam (AS) the first prophet and man to Muhammad ﷺ. In the Qur’an a total of 25 are mentioned by name and include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Jesus. However in Islamic tradition there have been around 124,000 throughout the ages all sent at a specific time and place for the benefit of mankind. However the messages have either been lost, changed or rejected by the people. The final message is complete and uncorrupted and that was sent to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for all time and all nations.

“We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ this Book with the truth, as a confirmation of previous Scriptures and a supreme authority on them. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their desires over the truth that has come to you. To each of you We have ordained a code of law and a way of life. If Allah had willed, He would have made you one community, but His Will is to test you with what He has given each of you. So compete with one another in doing good. To Allah you will all return, then He will inform you of the truth regarding your differences.”

Qur’an Maidah 5:48

Belief in His Messengers

“And for every community there is a messenger. After their messenger has come, judgment is passed on them in all fairness, and they are not wronged.”

Qur’an Yunus 10:47

Belief in the Last Day

The Last Day or the Day of Judgement, all the human souls will be presented in front of Allah for his just judgement. After judgement is complete each soul will enter either into hell (jahannum) or heaven (jannah.) The one that is being judged, his own soul will testify against him as will his body if he of the wrongdoers. For those that did good deeds, for them is an eternal reward in the gardens of bliss.

“You certainly have an excellent example in them for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day. But whoever turns away, then surely Allah ˹alone˺ is the Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.”

Qur’an Al-Mumtahanah 60:6

Belief in the Divine Fate and Divine Decree

Divine Fate and Divine Decree or Al-Qadr in arabic is the belief and certainty in Allah’s plan. Our lives are in Allah’s power and everything is already pre-ordained, however this leads to the question of lack of free will. Even though Allah knows all and knows if our destination is heaven and hell already, in this life we are still given every opportunity to do good deeds and earn the best reward.

“Indeed, if you were to know (your fate) with certainty, you would have acted differently.”

Qur’an At-Takathur 102:5

"O believers! Have faith in Allah, His Messenger, the Book He has revealed to His Messenger, and the Scriptures He revealed before. Indeed, whoever denies Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, and the Last Day has clearly gone far astray."

Qur’an – An-Nisa 4:136