Foundational Questions About Islam

5. What are the Six Articles of Faith in Islam, and how do they define Muslim belief and worldview?

Beyond practices, Islam defines belief through six core tenets: belief in God, angels, scriptures, prophets, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree. What implications do these have for human agency, moral accountability, and the nature of reality?

Answer

I. Introduction: Faith as the Foundation of Islam

In Islam, belief (īmān) is the cornerstone of religious life. While the Five Pillars represent the outward actions of a Muslim, the Six Articles of Faith define the internal convictions that every believer must hold. As summarized in Sahih Muslim 1, when the angel Jibrīl (Gabriel) asked the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about faith, he replied:

"It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in divine decree (al-qadar), both the good and the bad of it."
(Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 1)

These six beliefs form the essential framework of the Islamic worldview, shaping a Muslim’s understanding of existence, morality, purpose, and destiny.

II. The Six Articles of Faith

1. Belief in Allah (God)

At the heart of Islamic belief is tawḥīd — the absolute oneness and uniqueness of God.

  • Qur’an 112:1–4 affirms:
    “Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.”

  • God is the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all existence (Qur’an 2:255, Ayat al-Kursi).

  • He possesses 99 Names (al-Asmāʾ al-Ḥusnā), representing His attributes: Merciful, Just, All-Knowing, etc.

Implication: Human beings are created to worship Allah alone (Qur’an 51:56), and must submit to His will as the ultimate authority.

2. Belief in the Angels (Malāʾikah)

Angels are created from light and are entirely obedient to Allah. They are not autonomous beings with free will, but carry out divine commands.

  • Qur’an 66:6: “They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.”

  • Notable angels include:

    • Jibrīl (Gabriel) – the bringer of revelation (Qur’an 2:97)

    • Mīkāʾīl (Michael) – in charge of natural forces

    • Isrāfīl – will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgment

    • Malik – guardian of Hell

    • Munkar and Nakīr – question the dead in their graves

Implication: Angels witness human deeds and record them (Qur’an 82:10–12), reinforcing moral accountability.

3. Belief in the Divine Scriptures (Kutub)

Muslims believe that God has revealed scriptures to various prophets:

  • Suhuf (Scrolls) to Abraham

  • Tawrāh (Torah) to Moses

  • Zabūr (Psalms) to David

  • Injīl (Gospel) to Jesus

  • Qur’an to Muhammad ﷺ

Qur’an 5:48: “To you [O Muhammad] We have revealed the Book in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and guarding it in safety…”

The Qur’an is regarded as the final, complete, and preserved revelation (Qur’an 15:9), superseding previous scriptures which, according to Islamic belief, were altered or lost over time.

Implication: Muslims are required to believe in all revealed books, but to follow only the Qur’an as the final authority (Qur’an 5:3).

4. Belief in the Prophets (Rusul)

Allah has sent prophets and messengers to every nation (Qur’an 16:36), guiding humanity toward truth.

  • Some major prophets include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad ﷺ.

  • Muhammad ﷺ is the final prophet:

    “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.” (Qur’an 33:40)

Prophets are considered sinless in their delivery of revelation, though they are human and may make minor errors unrelated to prophethood.

Implication: Following the teachings of Muhammad ﷺ is obligatory, as he is the final authority and example for all Muslims (Qur’an 33:21).

5. Belief in the Last Day (Yawm al-Qiyāmah)

Islam teaches a linear view of history culminating in the Day of Judgment, when all human beings will be resurrected and held accountable.

  • Qur’an 99:6–8: “That Day, the people will depart separated [into categories] to be shown [the result of] their deeds. So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”

  • After judgment, souls will enter either Paradise (Jannah) or Hell (Jahannam) based on faith and deeds.

  • The grave is also part of the afterlife, where souls undergo initial questioning and experience either comfort or punishment.

Implication: The prospect of reward or punishment reinforces ethical behavior and submission to divine law.

6. Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar)

Muslims believe that Allah’s knowledge, will, and decree encompass all things.

  • Qur’an 54:49: “Indeed, all things We created with predestination.”

  • Everything that occurs — good or bad — happens by Allah’s permission, though humans are morally accountable for their choices.

  • Classical theology identifies four levels of qadar:

    1. Allah’s eternal knowledge of all things

    2. The writing of all decrees in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ)

    3. Allah’s will, which encompasses all

    4. Creation, as nothing exists outside His power

Implication: While humans act with free will (ikhtiyār), their choices are within Allah’s comprehensive knowledge and plan. This instills trust in God’s wisdom and acceptance of hardship.

III. Theological Implications for the Muslim Worldview

1. Human Agency and Free Will

  • Islam affirms a balance between divine predestination and human responsibility.

  • While Allah decrees all that happens, humans are morally accountable for their intentions and actions (Qur’an 18:29).

  • Classical scholars (e.g., al-Ashʿarī, al-Māturīdī) elaborated on how God creates actions but humans “acquire” them (kasb).

2. Moral Accountability

  • Belief in angels, prophets, judgment, and qadar reinforces the moral gravity of human life.

  • Every action is recorded; no deed is insignificant.

  • Accountability is individual — no soul bears the burden of another (Qur’an 6:164).

3. Nature of Reality

  • Islam views the universe as created, purposeful, and under divine governance.

  • The unseen (ghayb) — including angels, jinn, the afterlife, and divine decree — is as real as the visible world.

  • Reality includes both the temporal (dunyā) and the eternal (ākhirah), with the latter being the ultimate destination.

IV. Conclusion: Faith Shapes Practice and Perspective

The Six Articles of Faith define not only what a Muslim believes but how they perceive the world. They frame existence as a moral test, life as a temporary trial, and the universe as a divinely ordered reality governed by justice, mercy, and ultimate accountability.

Belief in these articles is non-negotiable in Islam; to deny even one is to depart from the fold of Islam (kufr). Together, they form the intellectual and spiritual scaffolding upon which the practice and purpose of a Muslim’s life is built. 

Have I Misrepresented Anything?

If you're a Muslim reader or scholar and believe that any of the above misrepresents Islamic belief, feel free to respond — but please provide references from the Qur’an, authentic hadiths, or recognized Islamic scholarship. This blog is committed to accurate representation, followed by rigorous analysis.

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