Faith is an eternal blessing that elevates a human being to the peak of servitude to the Almighty. It enlightens the heart of a believer, brings peace to the soul, gives life its true purpose, and ensures success in the Hereafter. Without faith, neither genuine happiness is attainable nor eternal salvation.
Allah the Almighty says:
“قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ”
“Indeed, the believers are successful.” (Al-Mu’minoon 23:1)
The Meaning of Faith
Linguistically:
In Arabic, Iman means to affirm something with the heart and to accept it with conviction.
In Islamic terminology:
Faith is the firm belief in Allah, His attributes, His angels, His revealed scriptures, His chosen messengers, the Day of Judgment, and Divine decree. Whoever embraces these truths with sincerity and certainty is a true believer. Such a person submits all actions to the will and pleasure of Allah.
Allah the Almighty says:
“إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُوا۟”
“The true believers are only those who have faith in Allah and His Messenger and then do not doubt.” (Al-Hujuraat 49:15)
The Comprehensive Definition of Faith
Faith has been explained in detail in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Allah the Almighty says:
“يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۭا بَعِيدًۭا”
“O you who believe! Believe in Allah, His Messenger, the Book revealed to His Messenger, and the Scriptures revealed before. Whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has truly gone far astray.” (An-Nisaa 4:136)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“الإِيمَانُ أَنْ تُؤْمِنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَتُؤْمِنَ بِالقَدَرِ خَيْرِهِ وَشَرِّهِ”
“Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and in Divine decree, both its good and its bad.” (Muslim)
The Six Pillars of Faith
The pillars of faith (Arkan al-Iman) are six. Without belief in all of them, faith remains incomplete.
1. Belief in Allah
Faith in Allah’s Oneness and attributes, and complete rejection of shirk (associating partners with Him), is the foundation of Islam.
Allah the Almighty says:
“قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ”
“Say: He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal Refuge.” (Al-Ikhlaas 112:1–2)
“اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ”
“Allah is the Creator of all things.” (Az-Zumar 39:62)
“ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ”
“All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Al-Faatihah 1:1)
2. Belief in Angels
Acknowledging the existence of angels reminds believers that there are unseen beings assigned to record and oversee human deeds.
Allah the Almighty says:
“وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا”
“Whoever denies Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has strayed far into error.” (An-Nisaa 4:136)
3. Belief in Divine Scriptures
Allah sent down scriptures for human guidance—the Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and the final and complete revelation, the Qur’an.
Allah the Almighty says:
“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا آمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالْكِتَابِ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ وَالْكِتَابِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ مِنْ قَبْلُ”
“O you who believe! Believe in Allah, His Messenger, the Book revealed to His Messenger, and the Scriptures revealed before.” (An-Nisaa 4:136)
4. Belief in the Messengers
Allah appointed prophets, beginning with Adam (peace be upon him) and ending with Muhammad ﷺ, for the guidance of mankind.
Allah the Almighty says:
“آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ”
“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers. All believe in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers, saying: ‘We make no distinction between any of His messengers.’” (Al-Baqarah 2:285)
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment
A believer affirms resurrection, accountability, Paradise, and Hell.
Allah the Almighty says:
“قُلِ اللَّهُ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يَجْمَعُكُمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ”
“Say: It is Allah who gives you life, then causes you to die, then gathers you on the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt.” (Al-Jaathiyah 45:26)
6. Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar)
Every event occurs by Allah’s will and knowledge, whether good or bad.
Allah the Almighty says:
“مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَبْرَأَهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ”
“No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is inscribed in a record before We bring it into being. Indeed, that is easy for Allah.” (Al-Hadeed 57:22)
The Blessings of Faith
Faith is a divine light that illuminates hearts, strengthens thought and action, and connects man with his Creator. It transforms life with purpose and elevates human dignity. Indeed, it is the greatest blessing of Allah Almighty, securing success in this world and salvation in the Hereafter.