Foundations of the Faith

Foundations of the Faith in Islam

The Six Articles of Faith

  • In Islam, the faith’s foundations begin with the Six Articles of Faith which every Muslim is required to believe in. These foundational Islamic beliefs include belief in:

    • Allah, the one and only God. Muslims believe there is nothing comparable to Allah, and He has no partners or offspring.

    • Angels as a creation of Allah. They exist in the unseen world and have various roles, such as delivering revelations from Allah to prophets.

    • Holy books sent by Allah. The Qur’an is the final and ultimate holy book. Muslims also believe in previous scriptures like the Gospel and the Torah in their original form.

    • Prophets sent by Allah. From Adam to Muhammad, all prophets delivered God’s message. Muhammad is the last and the seal of the prophets.

    • The Day of Judgement where everyone will be held accountable for their actions. It is a day when each individual will be resurrected and their deeds evaluated.

    • Predestination, the belief that Allah has knowledge of everything that will happen. While Allah knows what actions we will take, this doesn’t interfere with human free will.

The Five Pillars of Islam

  • The next key foundation is the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the duties every adult Muslim must undertake:

    • Shahada is the declaration of faith that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His prophet. Saying this with conviction enters a person into the Muslim faith.

    • Salat is the obligation of performing prayers five times a day at set times. These prayers are a direct link between the worshipper and Allah.

    • Zakat is the obligation of almsgiving. This is not charity, but a due that the wealthy owe to the less fortunate in society.

    • Sawm, fasting during the month of Ramadan, is a time of reflection, increased devotion, and worship.

    • Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, which every Muslim should try to perform at least once in their lifetime if capable.

The Importance of the Quran

  • Lastly, the importance of the Quran in Islamic faith cannot be overemphasised:

    • Muslims believe the Quran to be the literal word of Allah, as revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

    • The Quran serves as a guide for Muslim’s lives, detailing the code of behaviour they should follow.

    • It enlightens on various aspects of life and the universe, theology, morality, and provides a base for Islamic law.

Understanding these foundations fosters a comprehensive view of the Muslim faith and the Muslim way of life. This knowledge aids in understanding various Islamic practices and the perspective of Muslims on different matters of life and the universe.