In my post “Islam vs. Muslims: Unveiling the True Relationship,” I provided a brief overview of the core beliefs of Islam. I mentioned that these points were mentioned briefly, and I intended to elaborate on them in detail. In continuation of that effort, today’s post is my attempt to delve deeper into these core beliefs of Islam.

Islam always places a great emphasis on belief. You might have heard the word “Iman” alongside Islam, and one of the meanings of “Iman” is belief. Essentially, Islam is founded on belief. Yes, there are many ancillary practices in Islam, and they are undoubtedly important, but belief holds the utmost significance in Islam. In today’s post, I will discuss the six core beliefs of Islam, you will find the answers to some of the most common questions about Islam, such as ‘What are the core beliefs of Islam?’ ‘Islam core beliefs,’ and ‘What does Islamic faith entail?’ We’ll dive deep into these topics. You’ll also gain insight into the fundamental principles of the Muslim faith, the essential Islamic articles of faith, and how these beliefs shape the daily lives of Muslims. Whether you’re seeking to understand Islam for beginners or simply want to explore the basic principles of Islam, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview tailored to those interested in learning more about the true essence of the Islamic faith. So, let’s begin in the name of Allah Almighty.

As always, I seek refuge in Allah Almighty from all kinds of harm and pray that He makes my work easy. I also pray that He considers this effort a means of salvation for us in this world and the hereafter. Whatever is good in my writing is entirely a blessing from Allah Almighty, and any faults are due to Satan (Devil) and my own lack of knowledge. JazakAllah. (Thank you).

Understanding Core Beliefs of Islam

We have six core beliefs in Islam. When I say there are six core beliefs in Islam, it is not something I made up. This statement comes from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself. Below, I am mentioning a related hadith:

•  It is narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Ya’mur…. Umar ibn al-Khattab, told me: One day we were sitting in the company of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) when there appeared before us a man dressed in pure white clothes, his hair extraordinarily black. There were no signs of travel on him. None amongst us recognized him. At last, he sat with the Messenger (peace be upon him). He knelt before him, placed his palms on his thighs, and said: Muhammad,…. Inform me about Iman (faith). He (the Prophet) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil. He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth…..[¹]

Please note: This is not the entire hadith. It is a long hadith, and for today’s post, I only needed this part. If anyone wants to read the full hadith, they can do so by looking up the reference number.

There are also many verses in the Quran regarding these matters, but they are not mentioned all together in one place; they are scattered throughout different parts. Here are some verses related to these core beliefs of Islam:

Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Quran,

• اٰمَنَ الرَّسُوْلُ بِمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَيْهِ مِنْ رَّبِّهٖ وَالْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ ؕ كُلٌّ اٰمَنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَمَلٰٓئِكَتِهٖ وَكُتُبِهٖ وَرُسُلِهٖ ۟ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ اَحَدٍ مِّنْ رُّسُلِهٖ وَقَالُوْا سَمِعْنَا وَاَطَعْنَا ۫ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَاِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيْر “The Messenger has believed in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and the believers as well. All have believed in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers. “We make no division between any of His Messengers,” and they have said: “We have listened and obeyed. Our Lord, (we seek) Your pardon! And to You is the return.”[²]

• يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اٰمِنُوْا بِاللّٰهِ وَرَسُوْلِهٖ وَالْكِتٰبِ الَّذِيْ نَزَّلَ عَلٰي رَسُوْلِهٖ وَالْكِتٰبِ الَّذِيْۤ اَنْزَلَ مِنْ قَبْلُ ؕ وَمَنْ يَّكْفُرْ بِاللّٰهِ وَمَلٰٓئِكَتِهٖ وَكُتُبِهٖ وَرُسُلِهٖ وَالْيَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلٰلًۢا بَعِيْدًا  “O you who believe, do believe in Allah and His Messenger and in the Book He has revealed to His Messenger and in the Books He has revealed earlier. Whoever disbelieves in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and the Last Day has indeed gone far astray.”[³]

• “وَاِنْ مِّنْ شَيْءٍ اِلَّا عِنْدَنَا خَزَآئِنُهٗ ۫ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهٗۤ اِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ مَّعْلُوْمٍ” “We have treasures of everything, but We send it down only in a determined quantity.”[⁴]

In the above verses, the six fundamental beliefs of Islam are discussed in a scattered manner. Now, I will present each of these topics in detail, InshaAllah.

Tawhid: Belief In The Oneness Of Allah Almighty (God) is the first vital beliefs of Islam

Tawhid is the cornerstone of Islam, distinguishing it from other faiths. It means alone, unique, incomparable, unmatched, etc. In Islamic tradition, Tawhid means Belief in the Oneness of Allah Almighty (God).

Definition of Tawhid

“Tawhid is the belief that Allah is the only eternal and infinite being, the sole Creator of the universe, the only one who manages the universe, and the only one worthy of worship.”

In simpler terms, Tawhid means recognizing Allah as the source of all power and the only one worthy of worship.

Various verses in the Quran mention the oneness of creation and sustenance. Allah Almighty says in the Quran:

• اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ  “Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.”[⁵]

• اِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللّٰهُ الَّذِيْ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ فِيْ سِتَّةِ اَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوٰي عَلَي الْعَرْشِ ۟ يُغْشِي الَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهٗ حَثِيْثًا ۙ وَّالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُوْمَ مُسَخَّرٰتٍۭ بِاَمْرِهٖ ؕ اَلَا لَهُ الْخَلْقُ وَالْاَمْرُ ؕ تَبٰرَكَ اللّٰهُ رَبُّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ  “Surely, your Lord is Allah who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He positioned Himself on the Throne. He covers the day with the night that pursues it swiftly. (He created) the sun and the moon and the stars, subjugated to His command. Lo! To Him alone belong the creation and the command. Glorious is Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.”[⁶]

• اِنَّ اللّٰهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِيْنُ  “In fact, Allah is the All-Sustainer, Possessor of power, the Strong.”[⁷]

• الَّذِيْ لَهٗ مُلْكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَّلَمْ يَكُنْ لَّهٗ شَرِيْكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَقَدَّرَهٗ تَقْدِيْرًا  “The One to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and who did neither have a son, nor is there any partner to Him in the Kingdom, and who has created everything and designed it in a perfect measure.”[⁸]

• قُلْ مَنْ يَّرْزُقُكُمْ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالْاَرْضِ اَمَّنْ يَّمْلِكُ السَّمْعَ وَالْاَبْصَارَ وَمَنْ يُّخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَمَنْ يُّدَبِّرُ الْاَمْرَ ؕ فَسَيَقُوْلُوْنَ اللّٰهُ ۚ فَقُلْ اَفَلَا تَتَّقُوْنَ  “Say, ‘Who gives you sustenance from the heavens and the earth? Or, who controls the (powers of) hearing and seeing? And who brings forth the living from the dead, and brings forth the dead from the living? And who manages everything?’ They will say, ‘Allah.’ Then, (you) say, ‘Would you not, then, fear Allah (by desisting from holding others as gods)?’”[⁹]

• اَللّٰهُ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ ۚ اَلْحَيُّ الْقَيُّوْمُ ۚ لَا تَاْخُذُهٗ سِنَةٌ وَّلَا نَوْمٌ ؕ لَهٗ مَا فِي السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِي الْاَرْضِ ؕ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِيْ يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهٗۤ اِلَّا بِاِذْنِهٖ ؕ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ اَيْدِيْهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۚ وَلَا يُحِيْطُوْنَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهٖۤ اِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ ۚ وَلَا يَـُٔوْدُهٗ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيْمُ  “Allah: There is no god but He, the Living, the All-Sustaining. Neither dozing overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth. Who can intercede with Him without His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them; while they encompass nothing of His knowledge, except what He wills. His Kursiyy (Chair) extends to the Heavens and to the Earth, and it does not weary Him to look after them. He is the All-High, the Supreme.”[¹⁰]

In addition to these verses, the Quran contains numerous other verses emphasizing Allah’s uniqueness as the Creator, Sustainer, and eternal being. Now, let me present more verses where it is indicated that only Allah is worthy of worship and that worship should be directed solely to Him.

Allah Almighty says:

• اِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَاِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِيْنُ  “You alone do we worship, and from You alone do we seek help.”[¹¹]

• يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوْا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِيْ خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَ- الَّذِيْ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْاَرْضَ فِرَاشًا وَّالسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً ۪ وَّاَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَاَخْرَجَ بِهٖ مِنَ الثَّمَرٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۚ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوْا لِلّٰهِ اَنْدَادًا وَّاَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ  “O people, worship your Lord who created you and those before you, so that you may become God-fearing. He is the One who made the earth a bed for you, and the sky a roof, and sent down water from the sky, then brought forth with it fruits, as a provision for you. So, do not set up parallels to Allah when you know.”[¹²]

• قُلْ اِنِّيْۤ اُمِرْتُ اَنْ اَعْبُدَ اللّٰهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّيْنَ  “Say, ‘I have been ordered to worship Allah, making my submission exclusive to Him.’”[¹³]

In the Quran, you will find many more verses where it is stated that worship should be directed only to Allah. For brevity, I have not included more verses here.

If you notice, Muslims passionately declare that there is no true god but Allah. This profound belief means recognizing Allah as the sole source of power and the only one worthy of worship. Tawhid also means that no one and nothing else should be worshiped besides Allah, for He is the ultimate source of all strength and authority. In essence, Tawhid is about acknowledging Allah as the foundation of all power and devotion.

Belief in Angels: second core beliefs of Islam

In Islam, belief in angels is fundamental. These celestial beings, created by Allah, are always obedient to His commands. Unlike humans, angels have no free will and faithfully execute their assigned duties. They are tireless in fulfilling Allah’s orders and serve as a bridge between the divine and the earthly realms. Believing in angels involves accepting their constant presence and unwavering obedience to Allah’s will. 

Remember Angels are special creations of Allah. We are required to believe in them exactly as much as we have been informed about them. Since angels are part of the unseen world created by Allah, That’s why He has only revealed to us what is beneficial for our worldly and spiritual lives. Beyond this, anything we are not told about them is because Allah did not deem it necessary for us to know. Therefore, we should believe in angels exactly as instructed. In summary, belief in angels means having firm faith that Allah has created many angels who are honored beings, free from human weaknesses and desires. They are constantly obedient to Allah and have no inclination to disobey Him. Their duties include continuously worshipping Allah, praising His glory, and carrying out various tasks assigned to them in the created world.

Additionally, belief in angels encompasses faith in their existence, their names, their nature, and their duties. However, while believing in these aspects, it is essential to remember that Allah alone knows the exact number, nature, and functions of the angels. We only know as much as Allah has informed us, and we do not need to know beyond that.

Regarding angels, Allah says:

• وَمَا جَعَلْنَاۤ اَصْحٰبَ النَّارِ اِلَّا مَلٰٓئِكَةً ۪ وَّمَا جَعَلْنَا عِدَّتَهُمْ اِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا ۙ لِيَسْتَيْقِنَ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوا الْكِتٰبَ وَيَزْدَادَ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِيْمَانًا وَّلَا يَرْتَابَ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوا الْكِتٰبَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ ۙ وَلِيَقُوْلَ الَّذِيْنَ فِيْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ مَّرَضٌ وَّالْكٰفِرُوْنَ مَاذَاۤ اَرَادَ اللّٰهُ بِهٰذَا مَثَلًا ؕ كَذٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللّٰهُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيَهْدِيْ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ ؕ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ جُنُوْدَ رَبِّكَ اِلَّا هُوَ ؕ وَمَا هِيَ اِلَّا ذِكْرٰي لِلْبَشَرِ  “And We did not make wardens of the Fire but (from) angels, and did not fix their number but as a test for those who disbelieve, so that those who are given the Book may come to believe, and those who believe may improve in belief, and so that those who are given the Book and those who believe may not doubt (its correctness), and so that those having malady in their hearts and the disbelievers say, “What has Allah meant by this strange statement?” Thus Allah lets go astray whomever He wills, and leads to the right path whomever He wills. And no one knows the hosts of your Lord but He. And this is nothing else but a reminder for mankind.”[¹⁴]

Another hadith provides some insight into their numbers. Malik bin Sasa narrated:

• “The Prophet (ﷺ) said: …’Then I was shown Al-Bait-ul-Ma’mur (i.e., Allah’s House). I asked Gabriel about it and he said, “This is Al-Bait-ul-Ma’mur where seventy thousand angels perform prayers daily, and when they leave, they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily)….'”[¹⁵]

There are other verses and hadiths that mention the names and attributes of some angels, giving us some idea about their nature. However, regardless of their numbers, shapes, or duties, maintaining firm belief in angels is one of the core tenets of Islam.

Belief In Divine Books: third core beliefs of Islam

One of the fundamental beliefs in Islam is the belief in the books sent by Allah. I will later present various places in the Quran and Hadith where the belief in Allah’s books is commanded and the severe consequences for those who do not believe in them are mentioned.

In summary, believing in the divine books of Allah means firmly believing that Allah has sent down books through revelation to the prophets over different eras. These books are undoubtedly the words of Allah and are true guidance and a light for humanity. However, they have been altered or lost over time, which is why Allah revealed the final book, the Quran, to affirm the truth of the previous books, to replace them, and to provide a comprehensive path for the salvation of humanity.

Allah says about the divine books:

• كَانَ النَّاسُ اُمَّةً وَّاحِدَةً ۟ فَبَعَثَ اللّٰهُ النَّبِيّٖنَ مُبَشِّرِيْنَ وَمُنْذِرِيْنَ ۪ وَاَنْزَلَ مَعَهُمُ الْكِتٰبَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِيْمَا اخْتَلَفُوْا فِيْهِ ؕ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ فِيْهِ اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوْهُ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنٰتُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ فَهَدَي اللّٰهُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لِمَا اخْتَلَفُوْا فِيْهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِاِذْنِهٖ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ يَهْدِيْ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ اِلٰي صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ  “All men used to be a single ’Ummah (i.e. on a single faith). Then (after they differed in matters of faith), Allah sent prophets carrying good news and warning, and sent down with them the Book with Truth to judge between people in matters of their dispute. But it was no other than those to whom it (the Book) was given who, led by envy against each other, disputed it after the clear signs had come to them. Then Allah, by His will, guided those who believed to the truth over which they disputed; and Allah guides whom He wills to the straight path.” [¹⁶]

• قُوْلُوْۤا اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰهِ وَمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَيْنَا وَمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلٰۤي اِبْرٰهٖمَ وَاِسْمٰعِيْلَ وَاِسْحٰقَ وَيَعْقُوْبَ وَالْاَسْبَاطِ وَمَاۤ اُوْتِيَ مُوْسٰي وَعِيْسٰي وَمَاۤ اُوْتِيَ النَّبِيُّوْنَ مِنْ رَّبِّهِمْ ۚ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ اَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ ۫ۖ وَنَحْنُ لَهٗ مُسْلِمُوْنَ  “Say (O, Muslims): “We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us, and in what has been revealed to Ibrāhīm, Ismā‘īl (Ishmael), IsHāq (Isaac), Ya‘qūb and his children, and in what has been given to Mūsā and ‘Īsā (Jesus) and what has been given to the prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between any of them, and to Him we submit ourselves.” [¹⁷]

There are numerous verses about this matter in the Holy Quran. As I mentioned above, throughout history, Allah has revealed numerous books to guide humanity. Muslims believe in all these divine scriptures, with the Quran being the final and most complete revelation. This belief highlights that from the beginning of human creation, Allah has provided guidance through His books. Believing in these sacred texts and recognizing the Quran as the ultimate and last revelation is a key tenet of the Islamic faith.

Belief In Prophets: fourth core beliefs of Islam

Throughout the ages, Almighty Allah has sent numerous prophets and messengers as liberators for humanity. These noble figures have faithfully carried out their divine duties. The words “prophet” and “messenger” are nearly synonymous, with the meaning “one who delivers news on behalf of another”. Since prophets and messengers convey divine messages from Allah, they are known by these titles. As we know from the Holy Quran, Allah has stated:

• وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْاِنْسَ اِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوْنِ  “I did not create the Jinns and the human beings except for the purpose that they should worship Me.”[¹⁸]

This verse informs us that Allah created humans and Jinns solely to worship Him. But how do we know the methods of worship? It is through the guidance of prophets and messengers that we learn how to worship Allah correctly. Allah has sent countless prophets and messengers throughout history, not just to teach us how to worship Him, but also to impart new knowledge about Him. Everything we know today as Islam has been transmitted through these divine messengers, occurring by Allah’s will. 

The prophets and messengers are the best of mankind. They lived their lives exactly as Allah instructed and motivated others to live accordingly. They served as warners to all people, delivering both the good news of obedience to Allah and the warnings of disobedience.

These prophets and messengers were the true teachers of the divine scriptures. Allah has sent many prophets and messengers from the beginning of human creation until now, but the exact number remains unknown. There are various opinions about this, but it is not crucial for us to know their number. We are commanded to believe in the prophets and messengers, not to count them. If knowing their number was essential, Allah would have informed us. However, the Quran mentions the names of 25 prophets and messengers. Some of them are described in detail, while others are not. Allah says in the Quran:

• اِنَّاۤ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيْرًا وَّنَذِيْرًا ؕ وَاِنْ مِّنْ اُمَّةٍ اِلَّا خَلَا فِيْهَا نَذِيْرٌ  “Surely We have sent you with truth as a bearer of good news and as a warner, and there was no community without a warner having passed among them.”[¹⁹]

• وَلِكُلِّ اُمَّةٍ رَّسُوْلٌ ۚ فَاِذَا جَآءَ رَسُوْلُهُمْ قُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالْقِسْطِ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُوْنَ  “For every people there is a messenger. So, when their messenger comes, the matter is decided between them with justice, and they are not wronged.”[²⁰]

• وَلَقَدْ اَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ لَّمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ ؕ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُوْلٍ اَنْ يَّاْتِيَ بِاٰيَةٍ اِلَّا بِاِذْنِ اللّٰهِ ۚ فَاِذَا جَآءَ اَمْرُ اللّٰهِ قُضِيَ بِالْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْمُبْطِلُوْنَ  “We had sent messengers before you. Among them there are those whose history We have narrated to you, and of them there are those whose history We did not narrate to you. And it is not up to a messenger that he could come up with a sign without permission from Allah. So, when the command of Allah will come, matters will stand decided justly, and on that occasion all adherents of falsehood will turn into losers.”[²¹]

Furthermore, the Quran and Hadith contain numerous verses and sayings about prophets and messengers, emphasizing the importance of following and believing in them. To summarize, believing in the truth of prophets and messengers is a fundamental aspect of Islamic faith. And believing The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as the last messenger of Allah Almighty also part of Belief in Prophets. Denying this belief disqualifies one from being considered a Muslim. This applies to all the fundamental beliefs of Islam; denying any of them results in the same consequence.

Belief in the Hereafter: fifth core beliefs of Islam 

In Islam, belief in the afterlife is given utmost importance, much like other fundamental aspects of the faith. The Holy Quran places significant emphasis on belief in the afterlife. This is because, without belief in the afterlife, the rewards or punishments described by Allah for adhering to or neglecting His commandments would largely depend on one’s belief in the afterlife. If there were no afterlife, the Quran would not mention such rewards or punishments. 

Moreover, belief in the Creator is a universal sentiment inherent in all human societies, and without belief in the afterlife, faith in the Creator becomes meaningless. In the Quran, it is clear that belief in the afterlife is an integral part of faith in Allah. The Quran consistently instructs believers to have faith in the Hereafter or the Last Day. Indeed, a reading of the Quran reveals that the two most emphasized aspects are: 1) the oneness of worship of Allah (Tawhid al-Ibadah), and 2) the importance of belief in the afterlife.

To illustrate this, I present a verse from the Quran. Allah the Almighty says,

• اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَالَّذِيْنَ هَادُوْا وَالنَّصٰرٰي وَالصّٰبِئِيْنَ مَنْ اٰمَنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلَهُمْ اَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ ۪ۚ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ  “Surely, those who believed in Allah, and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabians, -whosoever believes in Allah and in the Last Day, and does good deeds – all such people will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no reason for them to fear, nor shall they grieve.” [22] 

• وَالَّذِيْنَ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَيْكَ وَمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ ۚ  وَبِالْاٰخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوْقِنُوْنَ  “And who believe in what has been revealed to you and what has been revealed before you; and they have faith in the Hereafter.” [23]

In summary, belief in the afterlife means having an unwavering faith in everything described in the Holy Quran and authentic Hadith about what happens after death. This includes life in the grave, resurrection, final judgment, the presentation of deeds, Heaven, Hell, and everything else that Allah has instructed us to believe in regarding the afterlife.

Belief In Predestination (Taqdir): Last fundamental beliefs of Islam

Another fundamental belief in Islam is the belief in destiny (Taqdeer). The word “Taqdeer” means to measure, to determine, or to set a limit. In Islamic terminology, believing in Taqdeer refers to believing in Allah’s eternal, infinite, and all-encompassing knowledge and will. It signifies the systematic and orderly rules or procedures Allah has determined for the administration and control of this universe. We believe that whatever good or bad, joy or sorrow, happens in this world, it occurs according to Allah’s knowledge and will. Nothing happens beyond His knowledge and will. Everything is created within the measure or limit set by Allah. 

Belief in Taqdeer depends on several aspects, such as belief in Allah’s eternal, infinite, and all-encompassing knowledge, belief in Allah’s writing, belief in Allah’s will, belief in Allah’s creation, and belief in human free will and the consequences of actions. Sometimes, we confuse Taqdeer and human free will. Although belief in Taqdeer is one of the fundamental beliefs in Islam, it is a somewhat complex topic that often leads to misunderstandings among people. These misunderstandings usually arise from not understanding the matter correctly. 

If we understand that Allah is all-powerful, that He can do whatever He wills, and that He has complete knowledge of the past, present, and future, we should not have any problems. We must remember that we are Allah’s creation, and He is our Creator. Therefore, it is our duty to follow what He has deemed good for us. Moreover, no creation can fully comprehend the Creator. This applies to Taqdeer as well, although it may not be the case for everyone. Nonetheless, to be a Muslim, one must sincerely believe in Taqdeer. Because it is one of the core beliefs of Islam.

About Taqdeer, Allah says,

• اِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ  “Verily, We have created everything according to (Our) predestination.” [24]

• اَللّٰهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَحْمِلُ كُلُّ اُنْثٰي وَمَا تَغِيْضُ الْاَرْحَامُ وَمَا تَزْدَادُ ؕ وَكُلُّ شَيْءٍ عِنْدَهٗ بِمِقْدَارٍ  “Allah knows what every female carries and what the wombs decrease or increase. Everything has measure with Him.” [25]

• وَاِنْ مِّنْ شَيْءٍ اِلَّا عِنْدَنَا خَزَآئِنُهٗ ۫ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهٗۤ اِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ مَّعْلُوْمٍ  “We have treasures of everything, but We send it down only in a determined quantity.” [26]

• وَمَا مِنْ دَآبَّةٍ فِي الْاَرْضِ اِلَّا عَلَي اللّٰهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ؕ كُلٌّ فِيْ كِتٰبٍ مُّبِيْنٍ  “There is no creature on earth whose sustenance is not undertaken by Allah. He knows its permanent and its temporary place. Everything is in a clear book.” [27]

• وَقَالَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَا تَاْتِيْنَا السَّاعَةُ ؕ  قُلْ بَلٰي وَرَبِّيْ لَتَاْتِيَنَّكُمْ ۙ  عٰلِمِ الْغَيْبِ ۚ  لَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْهُ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ فِي السَّمٰوٰتِ وَلَا فِي الْاَرْضِ وَلَاۤ اَصْغَرُ مِنْ ذٰلِكَ وَلَاۤ اَكْبَرُ اِلَّا فِيْ كِتٰبٍ مُّبِيْنٍ  “Said those who disbelieve, ‘The Hour (i.e., the Day of Judgment) will not come to us.’ Say, ‘Why not? By my Lord, the knower of the Unseen, it will come to you.’ Nothing in the heavens and the earth, even to the measure of a particle, can escape Him, nor is there anything smaller than that or bigger, but it is recorded in a manifest book.” [28]

There are many more verses where Allah describes Taqdeer. Therefore, like other fundamental aspects of Islam, believing in Taqdeer is essential for us; otherwise, we would not be considered Muslims.

I will wrap up today’s post here. I know it’s been quite a lengthy read, and I appreciate your patience in reading it all the way through. I recommed you to read this post also to understand Islamic beliefs properly, Understanding the Five Pillars of Islam: A Comprehensive Guide.

Before I conclude, I want to emphasize an important point: the core beliefs of Islam that I’ve discussed are essential beliefs that we must all hold. Our belief and practice should align with the way Allah and His Messenger, (peace and blessings be upon him) have taught us. May Allah grant us the ability to truly embrace these beliefs in our hearts and act upon them accordingly. Ameen.