In Islam the word “Iman” represents faith or belief
There are around five basic beliefs in Islam
….. but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets …… (continuation)
Quran, 2:177
Belief in the existence and oneness of God, Allah (SWT)
This is also known as Tawheed. The word Tawheed means “unification” or “asserting oneness”. So, In Islam it means to acknowledge the oneness of Allah (SWT), who is the creator of everything and to only consider him to be worthy of worship.
And all the prophets that came in this world from Adam (A.S) to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), taught the very same thing that there is only one God, Allah (SWT). They all taught that everything is the creation of Allah (SWT) and we’re all his servants. That only he should be worshiped and that his commands are to be fulfilled.
In detail, Tawheed means to acknowledge the oneness and uniqueness of Allah (SWT) in terms of his essence, but also in terms of his qualities and attributes.
Meaning that none is equal to Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) is the greatest and he has no partners in associations. He is above all. He has no father nor does he have a son. He has no children and neither is he anyone’s child.
Allah (SWT) is the owner of such qualities which are not present in anyone or anything else. He is unique in his attributes and he is example less. Allah (SWT) is the creator of everything. He is the sole owner and provider of everyone and everything. And everyone is dependent on him. He is the giver. Hence, he is the one and only God, and there is none worthy of worship except him.
As stated in the Quran,
Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One,1 (Quran, 112:1)
1.Alone, without another, indivisible with absolute and permanent unity and distinct from all else. The one and only true deity, unique in His essence, attributes and deeds.
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.2 (Quran, 112:2)
2.He who is absolute, perfect, complete, essential, self-sufficient and sufficient to meet the needs of all creation; the one eternally and constantly required and sought, depended upon by all existence and to whom all matters will ultimately return.
He neither begets nor is born, (Quran, 112:3)
Nor is there to Him any equivalent.” (Quran, 112:4)
Belief in the existence of all Prophets
We have to believe in all the messengers/prophets sent by Allah (SWT). Muhammad (PBUH) being the last of them, Jesus (AS) the penultimate, and others sent before them. We have to believe in them being Prophets and show them all respect and honor. In Islam, It is not that we believe in some and disbelieve in others. This is totally unacceptable.
As stated in the Quran,
Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to discriminate between Allah and His messengers and say, “We believe in some and disbelieve in others,” and wish to adopt a way in between – Those are the disbelievers, truly.
(continuation)
Quran, 4:150-151
The prophets play a very important in us being fully able to grasp the teachings of the religion. For example, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave a practical example of what Islam looks like when applied in our daily lives.
Here is a list of some of the most commonly known Prophets
Adam (A.S), Nuh (Noah)(A.S), Lut (Lot)(A.S), Ibrahim (Abraham)(A.S), Ismail (Ishmael)(A.S), Ishaq (Isaac)(A.S), Yaqub (Jacob)(A.S), Yusuf (Joseph)(A.S), Musa (Moses)(A.S), Harun (Aaron)(A.S), Dawud (David)(A.S), Sulayman (Solomon)(A.S), Ilyas (Elias)(A.S), Alyasa (Elisha)(A.S), Yunus (Jonah)(A.S), Zakariya (Zachariah)(A.S), Yahya (John the Baptist)(A.S), Isa (Jesus)(A.S) and Muhammad (PBUH).
Belief in the existence of the all the heavenly books of which Allah (SWT) is the author
Just like we believe in all the prophets we also have to believe in their respective books that they are in fact sent down by Allah (SWT). Since, these books are all from Allah (SWT), they had common teachings in them such as Tawheed as discussed above. But, since each time period had different requirements, the rules and regulation inscribed in them were also relevant to that time period.
It is stated in the Quran
And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].
Quran, 2:4
However, when a newer revelation came down then the previous ones were longer to be acted upon. Similarly, after the revelation of the Holy Quran, all the rules and regulations of the previous revelations are no longer acted upon. Meaning that although we believe in all the Holy Books which are sent by Allah (SWT). But, we only act upon and seek guidance from the last revelation which is the Holy Quran.
Some of the most commonly known Holy Books are
- Torah which was sent down upon Prophet Moses(Musa) (A.S)
- Book of Psalms which was sent down upon Prophet David(Dawud) (A.S)
- Gospel which was sent down upon Prophet Jesus(Esa) (A.S)
- Quran which was sent down upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Belief in the day of Judgement
In Islam it is also important to believe in the day of resurrection. So, that once we’re dead it’s not simply game over. There will be a time when Allah (SWT) will bring everyone back to life and they will be repaid for their deeds done during the worldly life. So, everyone will be resurrected and brought forth and held accountable for their actions in their worldly life. So, the righteous will have Paradise meanwhile the Wrongdoers will have Hell as the destination.
Indeed, the righteous will be in pleasure, And indeed, the wicked will be in Hellfire.
Quran, 82:13-14
It is to be remembered that Allah (SWT) created us the first time and he is verily capable of creating us again no matter how badly our bodies have decomposed or even if have turned into subatomic particles. Nothing is impossible for Allah (SWT). He can create us again and again as many times he wills.
And it is He who begins creation; then He repeats it, and that is [even] easier for Him. To Him belongs the highest description [i.e., attribute] in the heavens and earth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Quran, 30:27
Belief in the existence of the Angels
In Islam, one is also required to believe in the angels. They are the creation of Allah (SWT) who always obey Allah (SWT) and fulfilling Allah’s (SWT) orders is their duty. They as well worship Allah (SWT). So, it is also necessary to believe in them for the completion of one’s faith.
As it is stated in the Quran,
….. but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets …… (continuation)
Quran, 2:177