Complete Explanation of the Pillars of Faith: Belief in Angels, in the Books, in the Messengers, in the Hereafter, in Divine Decree

Faith is the spirit and foundation of Islam. Salvation, success, and prosperity depend on it. Wherever salvation, honor, and prosperity are mentioned in the Holy Quran, faith is made a condition for it. Faith is the quality that elevates a person from animalistic nature to the highest rank of servitude. Without faith, actions are like a lifeless body. Allah Almighty has said in the Holy Quran:

﴿ مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّنْ ذَکَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثیٰ وَہُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْیِیَنَّہُ حَیَاۃً طَیِّبَۃً وَلَنَجْزِیَنَّہُمْ أَجْرَہُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ مَا کَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, We will surely grant them a good life, and We will surely give them their reward according to the best of what they used to do.”

And elsewhere He said:

﴿ اَلَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوْا الصَّالِحَاتِ طُوْبٰی لَہُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَآبٍ ﴾

Translation:
“Those who have believed and done righteous deeds – for them is prosperity and an excellent outcome.”

From these two verses, it is understood that faith is the foundation of success. Good deeds are accepted only when they are accompanied by faith. If a person performs righteous deeds but lacks faith, those deeds will not benefit him in this world or the Hereafter.

❖ The Importance of Faith

If a person, despite having faith, falls into major sins and dies before repenting, he will ultimately be saved based on his faith. He may be punished, but he will not remain in Hell forever.

In the famous Hadith of Intercession of the Prophet ﷺ, it is mentioned that he ﷺ will repeatedly intercede with Allah for the forgiveness of his Ummah, and each time those who have even the smallest particle of faith in their hearts will be taken out of Hell.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

(فَمَنْ کَانَ فِیْ قَلْبِہٖ مِثْقَالُ حَبَّۃٍ مِنْ خَرْدَلٍ مِنْ إِیْمَانٍ فَأَخْرِجْہُ مِنَ النَّارِ)

Translation:
“Whoever has even an atom’s weight of faith in his heart will be taken out of Hell.”

This hadith clarifies the fact that faith is the foundation of salvation, no matter how small it may be.

❖ Definition of Faith

According to the Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama’ah, faith consists of three components:

➊ Saying with the tongue: verbal declaration
➋ Belief in the heart: confirmation with the heart
➌ Action with the limbs: acting with the body

That is, faith is not just verbal acknowledgment but a combination of certainty in the heart and actions of the limbs. Therefore, faith increases with good deeds and decreases with sins.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ إِنَّمَا الْمُؤمِنُونَ الَّذِینَ إِذَا ذُکِرَ اﷲُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُہُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِیَتْ عَلَیْہِمْ آیَاتُہُ زَادَتْہُمْ إِیمَانًا وَعَلٰی رَبِّہِمْ یَتَوَکَّلُونَ ﴾

Translation:
“True believers are those whose hearts tremble when Allah’s mention is made before them, and when His verses are recited to them, their faith increases, and they put their trust in their Lord alone.”

This verse makes it clear that faith can increase and decrease. Good deeds increase faith, and sins decrease it.

❖ The Relationship Between Faith and Deeds

Faith and action are inseparable. Wherever faith is mentioned in the Holy Quran, righteous deeds are generally mentioned alongside it. This indicates that faith alone is not sufficient; it is also necessary to act according to the requirements of faith.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوْا الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَہُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِہَا الْأَنْہَارُ ﴾

Translation:
“(O Prophet!) Give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that for them are gardens beneath which rivers flow.”

Similarly, He said:

﴿ وَالْعَصْرِ ٭ إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِیْ خُسْرٍ ٭ إِلَّا الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوْا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ ﴾

Translation:
“By time, indeed mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed, done righteous deeds, advised each other to truth, and advised each other to patience.”

This verse comprehensively explains the mutual relationship between faith and action. Faith is incomplete without action, and action is ineffective without faith.

The requirement of faith is not limited to verbal declaration only; rather, its effects must necessarily appear in a person’s deeds and character. The frequent mention of righteous deeds alongside faith in the Quran clarifies the fact that faith without action is deficient.

The practical manifestations of faith have two aspects:
➊ Obedience to commands
➋ Avoidance of prohibitions

➊ Obedience to commands

The first practical requirement of faith is that a servant acts upon the commands of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. This is the sign of faith and the identity of a true believer.

Allah the Exalted says:

﴿ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ ٭ اَلَّذِیْنَ ہُمْ فِیْ صَلاَتِہِمْ خَاشِعُوْنَ ٭ وَالَّذِیْنَ ہُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُوْنَ ٭ وَالَّذِیْنَ ہُمْ لِلزَّکٰوۃِ فَاعِلُوْنَ ٭ وَالَّذِیْنَ ہُمْ لِفُرُوْجِہِمْ حَافِظُوْنَ ٭ وَالَّذِیْنَ ہُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِہِمْ وَعَہْدِہِمْ رَاعُوْنَ ٭ وَالَّذِیْنَ ہُمْ عَلٰی صَلَوَاتِہِمْ یُحَافِظُوْنَ ٭ أُولٰئِکَ ہُمُ الْوَارِثُوْنَ ٭ الَّذِیْنَ یَرِثُوْنَ الْفِرْدَوْسَ ہُمْ فِیْہَا خَالِدُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“Indeed, the believers have succeeded, who are humble in their prayers, who avoid vain talk, who pay zakah, who guard their private parts, who are faithful to their trusts and promises, and who carefully maintain their prayers. Those are the inheritors who will inherit Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.”

The qualities described in these verses for the believers include both the actions of the heart and the actions of the limbs. This shows that deeds are necessarily included in faith.

Similarly, Allah the Exalted said:

﴿ إِنَّمَا الْمُؤمِنُوْنَ الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا بِاللّٰہِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ ثُمَّ لَمْ یَرْتَابُوْا وَجَاہَدُوْا بِأَمْوَالِہِمْ وَأَنْفُسِہِمْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ أُولٰئِکَ ہُمُ الصَّادِقُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“(True) believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then do not doubt, and strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. Those are the truthful ones.”

This verse clarifies that jihad, sacrifice, patience, charity — all these are parts of faith.

Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

(مَنْ کَانَ یُؤْمِنُ بِاللّٰہِ وَالْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْیَقُلْ خَیْرًا أَوْ لِیَصْمُتْ، وَمَنْ کَانَ یُؤْمِنُ بِاللّٰہِ وَالْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْیُکْرِمْ جَارَہُ، وَمَنْ کَانَ یُؤْمِنُ بِاللّٰہِ وَالْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْیُکْرِمْ ضَیْفَہُ)

Translation:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his neighbor. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest.”

This hadith indicates that good manners, respecting neighbors, hospitality, and speaking good are among the components of faith.

➋ Avoidance of Prohibitions

The second practical aspect of faith is that a servant should avoid all those things from which Allah Almighty and His Messenger (ﷺ) have forbidden.

✿ Avoidance of Shirk

This is the very first condition. Allah Almighty said:

﴿ اَلَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا وَلَمْ یَلْبِسُوْا إِیْمَانَہُمْ بِظُلْمٍ أُولٰئِکَ لَہُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَہُمْ مُّہْتَدُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“Those who have believed and have not mixed their faith with injustice (i.e., shirk) — those will have security, and they are [rightly] guided.”

Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) narrated that when this verse was revealed, the Companions (RA) became concerned and asked, “Who among us is free from oppression?”
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

(لَیْسَ ہُوَ کَمَا تَظُنُّوْنَ، إِنَّمَا ہُوَ کَمَا قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِہٖ: ﴿ یَا بُنَیَّ لَا تُشْرِکْ بِاللّٰہِ إِنَّ الشِّرْکَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِیْمٌ ﴾)

Translation:
“This verse does not mean the oppression you think of, rather it means shirk (associating partners with Allah), as Luqman said to his son: O my son! Do not associate partners with Allah, indeed shirk is a great injustice.”

✿ Avoidance of Sins

Avoiding sins is also a requirement of faith.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

(لَا یَزْنِی الزَّانِی حِیْنَ یَزْنِی وَہُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلَا یَسْرِقُ السَّارِقُ حِیْنَ یَسْرِقُ وَہُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلَا یَشْرَبُ الْخَمْرَ حِیْنَ یَشْرَبُہَا وَہُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ)

Translation:
“A fornicator is not a believer at the time of fornication; a thief is not a believer at the time of theft; and a drinker is not a believer at the time of drinking alcohol.”

This hadith clarifies that committing major sins weakens faith, although it does not completely nullify faith.

❖ Branches of Faith

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

(اَلْإِیْمَانُ بِضْعٌ وَسَبْعُوْنَ – أَوْ بِضْعٌ وَسِتُّوْنَ – شُعْبَۃً، فَأَفْضَلُہَا قَوْلُ: لَا إِلٰہَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ، وَأَدْنَاہَا إِمَاطَۃُ الْأَذٰی عَنِ الطَّرِیْقِ، وَالْحَیَاءُ شُعْبَۃٌ مِّنَ الْإِیْمَانِ)

Translation:
“Faith has more than seventy or sixty branches. The highest branch is to say ‘La ilaha illallah’ (There is no god but Allah), and the lowest branch is to remove something harmful from the path, and modesty is a branch of faith.”

This hadith indicates that faith is a comprehensive system of life that includes belief, worship, ethics, and dealings.

There are six fundamental pillars of faith upon which the structure of faith is built:

➊ Faith in Allah Almighty
➋ Faith in His angels
➌ Faith in His books
➍ Faith in His messengers
➎ Faith in the Day of Judgment
➏ Faith in good and bad destiny

All these pillars are established from the Quran and Sunnah, as Allah Almighty has said:

﴿ وَلٰکِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَالْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلٰئِکَۃِ وَالْکِتٰبِ وَالنَّبِیِّینَ ﴾

And the Holy Prophet ﷺ said:

(اَلْإِیْمَانُ أَنْ تُؤْمِنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَمَلَائِکَتِہٖ وَکُتُبِہٖ وَرُسُلِہٖ وَالْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَتُؤْمِنَ بِالْقَدَرِ خَیْرِہٖ وَشَرِّہٖ)

❖ Meaning of Faith in Allah

Faith in Allah means that a person firmly believes in his heart, declares with his tongue, and proves by his actions that Allah Almighty alone is the only Lord, the only deity, and the One endowed with perfect attributes. Faith in Allah essentially consists of three fundamental beliefs:

➊ Belief in the Lordship of Allah
➋ Belief in the Divinity of Allah
➌ Belief in the Names and Attributes of Allah

These three levels are essential requirements of faith in Allah, without which the concept of servitude is not complete.

❖ Meaning

Faith in Lordship means holding the belief that Allah alone is the Creator, Owner, Manager, Provider, and Controller of all affairs of this universe.
He alone gives life, causes death, honors and humiliates; He is the owner of profit and loss, and nothing happens in the universe without His will.

The command of Allah the Exalted:

﴿ یَا أَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوْا رَبَّکُمُ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَکُمْ وَالَّذِیْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِکُمْ لَعَلَّکُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَ ٭ اَلَّذِیْ جَعَلَ لَکُمُ الْأَرْضَ فِرَاشًا وَّالسَّمَائَ بِنَاءً وَّأَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَائِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِہٖ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقًا لَّکُمْ ﴾

Translation:
“O people! Worship your Lord who created you and those before you so that you may become righteous. He who made the earth a resting place for you and the sky a canopy, and sent down water from the sky, then brought forth fruits as provision for you.”

Similarly, He said:

﴿ قُلِ اللّٰہُمَّ مَالِکَ الْمُلْکِ تُؤتِی الْمُلْکَ مَنْ تَشَآئُ وَتَنْزِعُ الْمُلْکَ مِمَّنْ تَشَآئُ وَتُعِزُّ مَنْ تَشَآئُ وَتُذِلُّ مَنْ تَشَآئُ بِیَدِکَ الْخَیْرُ إِنَّکَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیْئٍ قَدِیْرٌ ﴾

Translation:
“Say: O Allah! Owner of the kingdom! You give the kingdom to whom You will and You take away the kingdom from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”

❖ Arguments for Lordship

The creation of the universe, its order and discipline, the balance of the earth and sky, the movement of the sun and moon, the rotation of night and day, all are living proofs of Allah’s Lordship.

Divine command:

﴿ وَجَعَلْنَا فِی الْأَرْضِ رَوَاسِیَ أَنْ تَمِیْدَ بِہِمْ وَجَعَلْنَا فِیْہَا فِجَاجًا سُبُلًا لَّعَلَّہُمْ یَہْتَدُوْنَ ٭ وَجَعَلْنَا السَّمَآئَ سَقْفًا مَّحْفُوْظًا وَہُمْ عَنْ آیَاتِہَا مُعْرِضُوْنَ ٭ وَہُوَ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَ اللَّیْلَ وَالنَّہَارَ وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ کُلٌّ فِی فَلَکٍ یَسْبَحُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“We placed firm mountains in the earth so that it would not shake with you, and We made pathways so that you may find your way, and We made the sky a protected ceiling, yet people turn away from its signs. It is He who created the night and the day, the sun and the moon; all [celestial bodies] are in an appointed orbit.”

These verses declare that there is no Lord except Allah, no Creator except Him, and no doer of deeds except Him.

❖ Signs of Allah’s Power

In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has presented several examples for reflecting upon His Lordship.

He said:

﴿ وَإِنَّ لَکُمْ فِی الْأَنْعَامِ لَعِبْرَۃً نُّسْقِیْکُمْ مِّمَّا فِی بُطُوْنِہٖ مِنْ بَیْنِ فَرْثٍ وَّدَمٍ لَّبَنًا خَالِصًا سَائِغًا لِّلشَّارِبِیْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“And indeed, for you in grazing livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies – between excretion and blood – pure milk, palatable to drinkers.”

Similarly, regarding the honeybee, He said:

﴿ یَخْرُجُ مِنْ بُطُوْنِہَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُہُ فِیْہِ شِفَاءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ﴾

Translation:
“From their bellies comes a drink of various colors, in which there is healing for people.”

All these signs are manifestations of Allah’s power, wisdom, and Lordship. He is the one who provides sustenance to the animals and through them creates means of benefit and healing for humans.

Faith in Divinity

Faith in Divinity means that worship, prayer, hope, fear, prostration, sacrifice, vow, reliance—all are solely for Allah Almighty.
This is the very monotheism for which all the Prophets, peace be upon them, were sent.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِی کُلِّ اُمَّۃٍ رَّسُوْلًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰہَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوْتَ ﴾

Translation:
“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid Taghut (false deities).’”

And all the messengers conveyed this message:

﴿ اُعْبُدُوا اللّٰہَ مَا لَکُمْ مِّنْ إِلٰہٍ غَیْرُہُ ﴾

Translation:
“Worship only Allah; there is no deity except Him.”

❖ The foundation of worship is only for Allah

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said to Hazrat Mu’adh رضي الله عنه:

(أَتَدْرِیْ مَا حَقُّ اللّٰہِ عَلَی الْعِبَادِ؟ … حَقُّ اللّٰہِ عَلَی الْعِبَادِ أَنْ یَّعْبُدُوْہُ وَلَا یُشْرِکُوْا بِہٖ شَیْئًا)

Translation:
“Do you know what right Allah has over His servants? The right of Allah over His servants is that they worship Him alone and do not associate anyone with Him.”

Therefore, all aspects of worship — supplication, sacrifice, vow, reliance, fear, love — are only for Allah.

The command of the Exalted Allah:

﴿ قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاَتِیْ وَنُسُکِیْ وَمَحْیَایَ وَمَمَاتِیْ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِیْنَ ٭ لَا شَرِیْکَ لَہُ ﴾

Translation:
“Say: My prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are all for the Lord of the worlds; He has no partner.”

❖ The meaning of faith in Allah’s Names and Attributes

The third essential requirement of faith in Allah is that a person must have complete conviction that Allah Almighty is named by all the beautiful names (Asma’ al-Husna) and is characterized by perfect attributes.
He is unique, unparalleled, and self-sufficient in His essence and attributes. He has no equal and no partner.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ وَلِلّٰہِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنٰی فَادْعُوْہُ بِہَا وَذَرُوا الَّذِیْنَ یُلْحِدُوْنَ فِی أَسْمَائِہٖ سَیُجْزَوْنَ مَا کَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they used to do.”

❖ The meaning of deviation in the names of Allah

Deviation in the names of Allah Almighty means:

➊ Denying some of His names or attributes.
➋ Interpreting these names contrary to their apparent meaning.
➌ Or wrongly applying these names to anyone other than Allah.

For example, Allah’s name is Ar-Razzaq (The Provider). If someone calls anyone other than Allah as the Provider or hopes for sustenance from them, this is a deviation.
Similarly, Allah’s name is Al-‘Azim (The Most Great). Therefore, bowing, prostrating, or worshipping anyone other than Him denies His greatness.

❖ Number of Asma’ul Husna

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

(إِنَّ لِلّٰہِ تِسْعَۃً وَّتِسْعِیْنَ اسْمًا، مَنْ أَحْصَاہَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّۃَ، وَہُوَ وِتْرٌ یُّحِبُّ الْوِتْرَ)

Translation:
“Allah has ninety-nine names; whoever memorizes them (or believes in them) will enter Paradise. Indeed, Allah is odd (unique) and loves odd numbers.”

This hadith indicates that Allah has ninety-nine specific names whose knowledge, understanding, and faith are a means to Paradise, but His names are not limited to these ninety-nine — because the Prophet ﷺ himself said in a supplication:
“I ask You by every name You have named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or taught to any of Your creation, or preserved in the knowledge of the unseen with You.”

❖ Foundations of the Belief in the Names and Attributes of Allah

According to Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, there are two fundamental bases for affirming the names and attributes of Allah:

➊ Affirmation:
All attributes and names mentioned in the Quran or Sunnah should be affirmed for Allah without distortion (changing the meaning), denial, asking how (specifying the modality), or likening Him to the creation.

➋ Negation:
Allah is free from every kind of defect, deficiency, forgetfulness, fatigue, sleep, and weakness.

The statement of Allah the Exalted:

﴿ لَیْسَ کَمِثْلِہٖ شَیْءٌ وَہُوَ السَّمِیْعُ الْبَصِیْرُ ﴾

Translation:
“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.”

And He said:

﴿ وَمَا رَبُّکَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِیْدِ ﴾

Translation:
“And your Lord is not one to wrong the servants.”

❖ Principles for Affirming the Divine Attributes

While affirming the attributes of Allah, it is necessary to keep certain matters in mind:

➊ All attributes mentioned in the Quran and Hadith should be accepted in their literal meaning.
➋ It should be believed that Allah Almighty is endowed with all perfect attributes.
➌ Allah’s attributes should not be considered similar to the attributes of creation.
➍ The modality of these attributes should not be sought, because only Allah has knowledge of it.
➎ Faith should be placed in the effects and consequences of these attributes.

❖ Example of the Attribute of Istiwa

Regarding Allah Almighty’s attribute of “Istiwa” (being established above the Throne), it is stated:

﴿ الرَّحْمٰنُ عَلَی الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوٰی ﴾

Translation:
“The Most Merciful is established above the Throne.”

The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah regarding this attribute is as follows:

➊ The meaning of Istiwa is known (elevation and superiority), but its modality is unknown.
➋ Allah’s being established above the Throne is real, not metaphorical.
➌ This elevation is not like the elevation of creation.
➍ Seeking or describing its modality is an innovation.
➎ This belief is evidence of Allah’s greatness and majesty.

Imam Malik (RA) said:
“Al-Istiwa’ is known, and the modality is unknown, and belief in it is obligatory, and questioning about it is an innovation.”
Meaning: “The meaning of Istiwa’ (establishment) is known, the modality is unknown, belief in it is obligatory, and asking about its modality is an innovation.”

❖ Affirmation of Allah’s Exaltedness and Highness

Allah Almighty is exalted on the Throne in terms of His Essence, but in terms of His Attributes (Knowledge, Power, Hearing, and Sight), He is present and observing everywhere.

The statement of Allah Almighty:

﴿ وَہُوَ الْعَلِیُّ الْعَظِیْمُ ﴾

Translation:
“He is the Most High, the Most Great.”

And He said:

﴿ وَعِنْدَہُ مَفَاتِحُ الْغَیْبِ لَا یَعْلَمُہَا إِلَّا ہُوَ ﴾

Translation:
“The keys of the unseen are with Him alone; none knows them except Him.”

Thus, Allah Almighty encompasses everything through His Power and Knowledge, but His Essence is above the creation.

The second pillar of faith among the six pillars of Iman is belief in the angels, meaning to believe that Allah Almighty has created a special creation among His creatures called angels, who are created from light, and who are Allah Almighty’s special obedient, submissive, and innocent servants. They do not act according to their own will but only carry out what Allah Almighty commands them.

Allah Almighty says:

﴿ لَا یَعْصُوْنَ اللّٰہَ مَا أَمَرَہُمْ وَیَفْعَلُوْنَ مَا یُؤمَرُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“They (the angels) do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.”

❖ Requirements of Belief in Angels

There are four fundamental requirements of belief in angels:

➊ To believe in their existence
➋ To believe in the names of those whose names are known
➌ To believe in their specific actions and duties
➍ To believe in their attributes and characteristics

➊ Belief in the Existence of Angels

It is conclusively proven from the texts of the Quran and Sunnah that angels are a reality, not merely luminous thoughts. They are living, intelligent, and conscious creatures.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

(خُلِقَتِ الْمَلَائِکَۃُ مِنْ نُوْرٍ)

Translation:
“Angels were created from light.”

Allah Almighty has granted them such power and strength that they perform many tasks simultaneously, and they appear in the form in which Allah commands.

➋ Famous Angels and Their Names

Some angels’ names are clearly mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah, such as:

❀ Jibra’il (Gabriel) – The angel who brings revelation
Allah Almighty says:

﴿ نَزَلَ بِہِ الرُّوْحُ الْأَمِیْنُ ٭ عَلٰی قَلْبِکَ لِتَکُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُنْذِرِیْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“The Trustworthy Spirit (Jibra’il) has brought it down upon your heart so that you may be among the warners.”

❀ Mikail (Michael) – Responsible for rain and sustenance
❀ Israfil – The angel who will blow the trumpet
❀ Malak al-Mawt (Azrael) – The angel who takes souls
❀ Malik – The guardian of Hell
❀ Munkar and Nakir – The angels who question in the grave
❀ Ridwan – The gatekeeper of Paradise

➌ Duties of Angels

Various types of tasks have been assigned to the angels.

Allah Almighty said:

﴿ فَالْمُدَبِّرَاتِ أَمْرًا ﴾

Meaning: “(Those angels) who arrange matters by Allah’s command.”

Some of their specific responsibilities are:

➊ Conveying revelation – assigned to Jibreel (Gabriel) عليه السلام
➋ Sending down rain and growth of the earth – assigned to Mikail (Michael) عليه السلام
➌ Blowing the trumpet – assigned to Israfeel عليه السلام
➍ Taking the soul – assigned to Malak al-Mawt (Angel of Death)
➎ Questioning in the graves – assigned to Munkar and Nakeer
➏ Recording deeds – assigned to the honorable scribes (Kiraman Katibin)
➐ Protecting humans – assigned to Mu’aqqibat (guardian angels)

Allah Almighty said:

﴿ وَإِنَّ عَلَیْکُمْ لَحَافِظِیْنَ ٭ کِرَامًا کَاتِبِیْنَ ٭ یَعْلَمُوْنَ مَا تَفْعَلُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“Over you are appointed angels, honorable scribes, who know what you do.”

➍ Characteristics of Angels

Some prominent characteristics of angels mentioned in the Quran and Hadith are:

❖ They are beings of light.
❖ They are extremely powerful and obedient.
❖ They have wings — Jibreel عليه السلام has six hundred (600) wings.
❖ They do not eat or drink, nor do they sleep.
❖ They are always engaged in worship.

Allah Almighty said:

﴿ لَا یَسْتَکْبِرُوْنَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِہٖ وَلَا یَسْتَحْسِرُوْنَ ٭ یُسَبِّحُوْنَ اللَّیْلَ وَالنَّہَارَ لَا یَفْتُرُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“They (the angels) do not show arrogance in worship nor do they tire. They glorify Allah day and night, never becoming weary.”

❖ Effects of Faith in Angels

Belief in angels creates the following feelings in a servant’s heart:

➊ Fear and reverence before Allah, knowing that angels are constantly recording his deeds.
➋ Sincerity in worship, as a person knows he is not alone, but Allah’s angels are watching over him.
➌ Enthusiasm for righteous deeds because angels who protect good deeds keep a record of every good act.
➍ Preparation for the Hereafter, since angels are the ones who take the soul at the time of death and question in the grave.

Faith in the Books is the third pillar of the six pillars of faith.
It means that a person has complete belief that Allah Almighty revealed books for the guidance of His creation, in which Allah’s commands, orders and prohibitions, promises and warnings are stated.
These books were revealed to the Prophets and Messengers, peace be upon them, so that they could convey Allah’s message to mankind.

Divine Command of Allah:

﴿ لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَیِّنَاتِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا مَعَہُمُ الْکِتَابَ وَالْمِیزَانَ لِیَقُوْمَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ ﴾

Translation:
“Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Scripture and the balance so that people may maintain justice.”

❖ Requirements of Faith in the Scriptures

There are four fundamental requirements of faith in the Divine Scriptures:

➊ To believe in all of them as revealed by Allah Almighty.
➋ To believe in those whose names and details are known.
➌ To have faith in the commandments stated in them and to honor them.
➍ To consider the last book, the Holy Quran, as Allah’s final, comprehensive, and abrogating book.

❖ Heavenly Scriptures

Allah Almighty revealed several books to His messengers at different times.
Among them, the four famous heavenly books are:

❀ Torah — revealed to Prophet Musa (Moses), peace be upon him.
Divine Command of Allah:

﴿ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاۃَ فِیْہَا ہُدًی وَّنُوْرٌ ﴾

Translation:
“We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light.”

❀ Zabur — revealed to Prophet Dawud (David), peace be upon him.

﴿ وَأَتَیْنَا دَاوُدَ زَبُوْرًا ﴾

Translation:
“And We gave Dawud the Zabur.”

❀ Injil — revealed to Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him).

﴿ وَأَتَیْنَاہُ الْإِنْجِیْلَ فِیْہِ ہُدًی وَّنُوْرٌ ﴾

Translation:
“And We sent down the Injil, in which was guidance and light.”

❀ The Holy Quran — revealed to the Prophet of the Last Age, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who confirms all previous scriptures and is their guardian.

﴿ وَنَزَّلْنَا إِلَیْکَ الْکِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَیْنَ یَدَیْہِ مِنَ الْکِتَابِ وَمُہَیْمِنًا عَلَیْہِ ﴾

Translation:
“And We have revealed to you the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a guardian over it.”

❖ Belief in Previous Scriptures

We believe in all those scriptures which Allah revealed to His messengers, whether we know their names or not.
But we also believe that the original copies of those earlier scriptures have been lost or altered, as the Quran itself states.

Divine guidance:

﴿ یُحَرِّفُوْنَ الْکَلِمَ عَنْ مَوَاضِعِہٖ وَنَسُوْا حَظًّا مِّمَّا ذُکِّرُوْا بِہٖ ﴾

Translation:
“They (the Jews) exchanged the words from their [proper] places and forgot a portion of that of which they were reminded.”

That is why the Torah and the Gospel that exist today are not original but have undergone alterations.

❖ The Holy Quran — The Final and Complete Book

The Holy Quran is Allah Almighty’s final, comprehensive, and complete book.
It is not only for the Children of Israel or any particular nation but is guidance for all humans and jinn.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ شَہْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِیْ أُنزِلَ فِیْہِ الْقُرْآنُ ہُدًی لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَیِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْہُدٰی وَالْفُرْقَانِ ﴾

Translation:
“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion between right and wrong.”

And He said:

﴿ وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاکَ إِلَّا کَافَّۃً لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِیْرًا وَّنَذِیْرًا ﴾

Translation:
“We have sent you as a bringer of good tidings and a warner to all people.”

❖ Characteristics of the Quran

Some prominent characteristics of the Holy Quran are:

➊ It is protected from alteration.

﴿ إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّکْرَ وَإِنَّا لَہُ لَحَافِظُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its guardian.”

➋ It is comprehensive and complete.

﴿ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَیْکَ الْکِتَابَ تِبْیَانًا لِّکُلِّ شَیْءٍ وَہُدًی وَّرَحْمَۃً ﴾

Translation:
“And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy.”

➌ This abrogates all previous scriptures.
Meaning, now no previous scripture or command is valid except the Shariah of Muhammad ﷺ.

➍ This is Allah’s living miracle which will remain until the Day of Judgment.

➎ This is the peace of hearts and the system of life.

﴿ أَلَا بِذِکْرِ اللّٰہِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوْبُ ﴾

Translation:
“Remember! Hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah.”

❖ Effects of Faith in the Quran

A servant considers the Quran the sole criterion of guidance.
He takes guidance from the Quran in every matter of his life.
He accepts, reads, understands, and acts upon the commands of the Quran.
He acknowledges the decisions of the Quran as the highest law.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ فَلَا وَرَبِّکَ لَا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ حَتّٰی یُحَکِّمُوْکَ فِیْمَا شَجَرَ بَیْنَہُمْ ﴾

Translation:
“(O Prophet!) By your Lord! These people cannot become believers until they accept you as the judge in all their mutual affairs.”

The fourth pillar of faith among the six pillars of Iman is belief in the messengers, meaning a person must have complete conviction that Allah Almighty sent messengers to guide His creation, who were Allah’s chosen servants, truthful, trustworthy, and the lamps of guidance.
They conveyed Allah’s message to humanity without any deficiency, addition, or distortion, but faithfully delivered the religion.

Allah Almighty’s command:

﴿ رُسُلًا مُّبَشِّرِیْنَ وَمُنْذِرِیْنَ لِئَلَّا یَکُوْنَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَی اللّٰہِ حُجَّۃٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ ﴾

Translation:
“We sent the messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind would have no argument against Allah after the messengers.”

The sending of the messengers is Allah Almighty’s greatest blessing because through them, humans recognize the difference between truth and falsehood and embark on the path of guidance.

❖ Requirements of Belief in the Messengers

There are four fundamental requirements of belief in the messengers:

➊ To believe that Allah Almighty sent messengers.
➋ To have faith in all those messengers, whether their names are known or not.
➌ To follow the messenger upon whom Allah revealed a scripture.
➍ To consider the last messenger, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as the Seal of the Prophets.

❖ Characteristics and Perfections of the Messengers

The Quran and Sunnah have described some prominent characteristics of the Prophets and Messengers:

➊ Truthfulness – always speaking the truth.
➋ Trustworthiness – being honest in delivering the Divine message.
➌ Eloquence – conveying Allah’s message completely.
➍ Wisdom – possessing a high degree of intellect and insight.
➎ Protection from major sins and mistakes in conveying the message.

Allah Almighty said:

﴿ وَمَا عَلَی الرَّسُوْلِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ ﴾

Translation:
“The responsibility of the messenger is only to convey the message.”

❖ The Purpose of All Messengers Was the Same

The religion of all Prophets and Messengers was the same — the religion of Islam — that is, to worship Allah alone and avoid polytheism.
There may be partial differences in their laws, but the belief, faith, and fundamental invitation were the same.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ إِنَّ الدِّیْنَ عِندَ اللّٰہِ الْإِسْلَامُ ﴾

Translation:
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam alone.”

The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:

(الأَنْبِیَاءُ إِخْوَۃٌ لِعَلَّاتٍ، دِیْنُہُمْ وَاحِدٌ)

Translation:
“All the Prophets are sons of one father (meaning the belief is one, but the Shariahs differ), their religion is one.”

❖ Prophets are human beings

All the Prophets were human; they were neither angels nor divine. They ate, drank, slept, woke up, married, yet remained free from sins.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَکَ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ إِلَّا إِنَّہُمْ لَیَأْکُلُوْنَ الطَّعَامَ وَیَمْشُوْنَ فِی الْأَسْوَاقِ ﴾

Translation:
“Before you, We sent many messengers; they used to eat food and walk in the markets.”

This verse clarifies that the humanity of the Prophets is a source of comfort and guidance for people because they passed through all stages of human life and became practical examples of practicing the religion.

❖ Prophets do not know the unseen

No one knows the unseen except Allah Almighty.
The Prophets, peace be upon them, are also devoid of knowledge of the unseen, except what Allah reveals to them through revelation.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ عَالِمُ الْغَیْبِ فَلَا یُظْہِرُ عَلٰی غَیْبِہٖ أَحَدًا ﴾

Translation:
“He alone is the Knower of the unseen and does not disclose His unseen to anyone.”

❖ Number of Prophets and Messengers

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Dharr (RA) that he asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! How many prophets are there?”
You ﷺ said:

(مِائَۃُ أَلْفٍ وَأَرْبَعَۃٌ وَعِشْرُوْنَ أَلْفًا، الرُّسُلُ مِنْہُمْ ثَلَاثُمِائَۃٍ وَخَمْسَۃَ عَشَرَ)

Translation:
“The number of prophets is one hundred twenty-four thousand, among whom three hundred fifteen are messengers.”

❖ Difference between Prophet and Messenger

A Messenger is one who is sent with a new Shariah.
A Prophet is one who preaches the previous Shariah.
Hazrat Adam (AS) was a Prophet, and Hazrat Noah (AS) was the first Messenger.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

(عَشْرَۃُ قُرُوْنٍ بَیْنَ آدَمَ وَنُوْحٍ، کُلُّہُمْ عَلَی الْإِسْلَامِ)

Translation:
“Ten generations passed between Adam and Noah, all of whom were upon Islam.”

❖ Excellence and Ranks among Prophets

Allah Almighty has given some messengers superiority over others.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ تِلْکَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَہُمْ عَلٰی بَعْضٍ ﴾

Translation:
“These are the messengers, of whom We have favored some over others.”

The five highest-ranking messengers are called Ulul Azm:
Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad ﷺ.

﴿ فَاصْبِرْ کَمَا صَبَرَ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ ﴾

Translation:
“So be patient as the Ulul Azm messengers were patient.”

❖ Seal of the Prophets

One of the fundamental beliefs in faith in the messengers is the important belief that Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, is the last prophet and messenger. After him, no prophet will come, nor will any new Shariah be revealed.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ مَا کَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ اَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّنْ رِّجَالِکُمْ وَلٰکِنْ رَّسُوْلَ اللّٰہِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِیِّیْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“Muhammad ﷺ is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.”

And the Prophet ﷺ said:

(لَا نَبِیَّ بَعْدِی)

Translation:
“There will be no prophet after me.”

This belief is a fundamental part of faith in the messengers, and denying it expels a person from the fold of Islam.

❖ The Universal Mission of the Prophet ﷺ

Previously, the prophets, peace be upon them, were sent to their respective nations, but the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent for all humans and jinn.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاکَ إِلَّا رَحْمَۃً لِّلْعَالَمِیْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“We have sent you as a mercy to all the worlds.”

And He said:

﴿ قُلْ یَا أَیُّہَا النَّاسُ إِنِّیْ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ إِلَیْکُمْ جَمِیْعًا ﴾

Translation:
“(O Prophet!) Say, O people! I am the Messenger of Allah to all of you.”

❖ The Completeness of the Shariah Revealed to the Prophet ﷺ

The Shariah revealed upon you ﷺ — that is, the Quran and Sunnah — is the completion and conclusion of all previous Shariahs.
Islam has provided a complete guidance for every aspect of human life — worship, transactions, ethics, politics, society, justice, trade.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ اَلْیَوْمَ أَکْمَلْتُ لَکُمْ دِیْنَکُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَیْکُمْ نِعْمَتِیْ وَرَضِیْتُ لَکُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِیْنًا ﴾

Translation:
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.”

❖ Miracles of the Prophet ﷺ

Allah Almighty granted the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ numerous miracles, among which the greatest miracle is the Quran, which will remain alive and unaltered until the Day of Judgment.

Other miracles include:

➊ The splitting of the moon — ﴿ اِنْشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ ﴾

➋ Abundance from little food
➌ Water flowing from the fingers
➍ Trees and stones greeting him
➎ The heavenly journey of Isra and Mi’raj

All these miracles are clear proofs of the truthfulness and prophethood of the Prophet ﷺ.

❖ The Global Responsibility of the Prophethood of the Prophet ﷺ

Your ﷺ invitation was not limited to the Arabian Peninsula but was for all of humanity.
You sent letters inviting to Islam to Caesar of Rome, Khosrow, Najashi, and other kings.

This is why Islam is a universal religion that transcends distinctions of color, race, language, and region.

❖ Obedience to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ is obligatory

Allah Almighty has declared obedience to the Prophet ﷺ as an essential part of faith in the Quran.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ مَنْ یُّطِعِ الرَّسُوْلَ فَقَدْ اَطَاعَ اللّٰہَ ﴾

Translation:
“Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.”

And He said:

﴿ وَمَا اٰتَاکُمُ الرَّسُوْلُ فَخُذُوْہُ وَمَا نَہٰکُمْ عَنْہُ فَانْتَہُوْا ﴾

Translation:
“Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it.”

These verses require that Muslims consider the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ as the second fundamental source of guidance after the Quran.

❖ The Great Intercession of the Prophet ﷺ

On the Day of Judgment, all prophets and messengers will deny intercession, but the Noble Prophet ﷺ will prostrate before Allah and intercede for his Ummah.

You ﷺ said:

(أَنَا سَیِّدُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ، وَلَا فَخْرَ)

Translation:
“I am the leader of the children of Adam on the Day of Resurrection, and I do not say this out of pride.”

❖ The Excellence of the Prophet’s ﷺ Ummah

Allah Almighty has given the Prophet’s ﷺ Ummah superiority over all other nations because this Ummah follows the last Prophet and has been entrusted with the duty of calling to Allah.

Divine Command:

﴿ کُنْتُمْ خَیْرَ اُمَّۃٍ اُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُوْنَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْہَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْکَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰہِ ﴾

Translation:
“You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.”

❖ Introduction

Among the six pillars of faith, the fifth pillar is belief in the Last Day.
This means a person believes that a day will surely come when this world will perish, all creatures will be resurrected, will be held accountable for their deeds, the righteous will enter Paradise, and the wicked will enter Hell.
This day is referred to in the Quran and Sunnah by the names Yawm al-Qiyamah, Yawm al-Hisab, Yawm al-Jaza, and al-Akhirah.

Divine Command:

﴿ زَعَمَ الَّذِیْنَ کَفَرُوْا أَنْ لَّنْ یُبْعَثُوْا قُلْ بَلٰی وَرَبِّیْ لَتُبْعَثُنَّ ثُمَّ لَتُنَبَّؤُنَّ بِمَا عَمِلْتُمْ ﴾

Translation:
“The disbelievers thought that they would never be raised again. Say: Why not, by my Lord’s oath! You will surely be raised, then you will be informed of what you did.”

❖ Meaning of Faith in the Hereafter

Faith in the Hereafter means:

➊ Belief in life after death.
➋ Belief in the questioning and answering in the graves.
➌ Belief in being raised again on the Day of Resurrection (Ba’th Ba’d al-Mawt).
➍ Belief in the reckoning of deeds, the scale, the path (Sirat), and reward and punishment.
➎ Belief in the eternal existence of Paradise and Hell.

❖ Names of the Day of Resurrection

Several names of the Day of Resurrection appear in the Quran, which indicate the awe and terror of that day:

➊ Yawm al-Qiyamah – The Day of Rising
➋ Yawm al-Hisab – The Day of Reckoning
➌ Yawm ad-Din – The Day of Retribution
➍ As-Sa’ah – The Hour
➎ Yawm al-Ba’th – The Day of Being Raised Again
➏ Yawm al-Khulood – The Day of Eternity

❖ Importance of Faith in the Day of Resurrection

The Holy Quran has given the belief in the Hereafter the second highest importance after belief in Allah.
Because belief in the Hereafter makes a person conscious of accountability, encourages good deeds, and prevents sins.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ مَنْ کَانَ یَرْجُوْا لِقَاءَ اللّٰہِ فَإِنَّ أَجَلَ اللّٰہِ لَآتٍ ﴾

Translation:
“Whoever hopes to meet his Lord, then surely the appointed time of Allah will come.”

❖ The Reality of the Day of Judgment

According to the Quran and Sunnah, there are two major stages of the Day of Judgment:

➊ Minor Resurrection (Qiyamat al-Sughra) – that is death.
When a person dies, his resurrection is established.
The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ کُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَۃُ الْمَوْتِ ﴾

“Every soul shall taste death.”

➋ Major Resurrection (Qiyamat al-Kubra) – when the trumpet will be blown and all humans will be raised from their graves.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ وَنُفِخَ فِی الصُّوْرِ فَإِذَا ہُمْ مِّنَ الْأَجْدَاثِ إِلٰی رَبِّہِمْ یَنْسِلُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“When the trumpet is blown, they will immediately come out of their graves and run towards their Lord.”

❖ Stages of Blowing the Trumpet

From the Ahadith, it is understood that the trumpet will be blown three times:

➊ Nafkhat al-Fazaa (Terrifying scream) – which will cause everyone to panic.
➋ Nafkhat as-Sa’q (Blow of death) – everyone will die.
➌ Nafkhat al-Ba’th (Blow of resurrection) – everyone will rise from their graves.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ وَیَوْمَ یُنْفَخُ فِی الصُّوْرِ فَفَزِعَ مَنْ فِی السَّمٰوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِی الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَنْ شَاءَ اللّٰہُ ﴾

❖ Gathering and Resurrection (Being brought back to life)

On the Day of Judgment, all humans will be gathered in the field of resurrection.
No one will be naked, hungry, thirsty, or drenched in sweat, but according to their deeds.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

(یُحْشَرُ النَّاسُ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ حُفَاةً عُرَاةً غُرْلًا)

Translation:
“On the Day of Judgment, people will be gathered naked, uncircumcised, and barefoot.”

Hazrat Aisha (RA) asked: O Messenger of Allah! Will men and women see each other?
He ﷺ replied:
“O Aisha! The matter will be so severe on that day that no one will have the opportunity to look at anyone else.”

❖ Mizan (Scale of deeds)

On the Day of Judgment, deeds will be weighed, and the value of good and evil will be known.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِیْنُہٗ فَأُولٰئِکَ ہُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ ٭ وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِیْنُہٗ فَاُولٰئِکَ الَّذِیْنَ خَسِرُوْا أَنْفُسَہُمْ ﴾

Translation:
“He whose good deeds outweigh will be successful, and he whose deeds are light will be at a loss himself.”

❖ Sirat (Bridge of Sirat)

There will be a bridge between Paradise and Hell called Sirat.
It will be sharper than a sword’s edge and thinner than a hair.
Every person must cross over it.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

(یُضْرَبُ الصِّرَاطُ عَلَی جَہَنَّمَ، فَأَکُوْنُ أَنَا وَأُمَّتِیْ أَوَّلَ مَنْ یُجِیْزُہَا)

Translation:
“A bridge over Hellfire will be placed, and I and my Ummah will be the first to cross it.”

❖ Hawd al-Kawthar (The Pool of Kawthar)

The Prophet ﷺ will be granted the Pool of Kawthar on the Day of Judgment.
Whoever drinks from its water will never be thirsty again.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ إِنَّا أَعْطَیْنَاکَ الْکَوْثَرَ ﴾

Translation:
“Indeed, We have granted you al-Kawthar.”

❖ The Great Intercession

On that day, all people will come to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for intercession, and your intercession will be accepted.
The previously mentioned “Hadith of Intercession” is evidence of this reality.

❖ Belief in Paradise and Hell

Belief in the Hereafter also includes the belief that Paradise and Hell are real, they exist and will remain forever.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِیْنَ ﴾

“(Paradise) has been prepared for the righteous.”

And He said:

﴿ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْکٰفِرِیْنَ ﴾

“(Hell) has been prepared for the disbelievers.”

❖ Introduction

The sixth pillar of faith is belief in Divine Decree, that is, belief in good and bad destiny.
This pillar is essential for the completion of faith.
Belief in Divine Decree means that everything happens according to Allah Almighty’s knowledge, decision, will, and creation — nothing is beyond His knowledge or control.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ إِنَّا کُلَّ شَیْءٍ خَلَقْنٰہُ بِقَدَرٍ ﴾

Translation:
“We have created everything according to a measure and decree.”

And the Prophet ﷺ said:

(اَلْإِیْمَانُ أَنْ تُؤْمِنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَمَلَائِکَتِہٖ وَکُتُبِہٖ وَرُسُلِہٖ وَالْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَتُؤْمِنَ بِالْقَدَرِ خَیْرِہٖ وَشَرِّہٖ)

Translation:
“Faith is that you believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and in good and bad Divine Decree.”

❖ Four Fundamental Levels of Faith in Divine Decree

Faith in destiny consists of four levels, and it is necessary to believe in them:

➊ Knowledge (Faith in Divine Knowledge)
That is, to be certain that Allah Almighty has known everything beforehand.
There is no deficiency or excess in His knowledge.
He knows what is happening, what has happened, and what will happen.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللّٰہَ یَعْلَمُ مَا فِی السَّمَائِ وَالْأَرْضِ ﴾

Translation:
“Do you not know that Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and the earth?”

This knowledge was neither acquired through anyone nor increased later — rather, it has been perfect since eternity.

➋ Writing (Recording)
Allah Almighty has written everything in the Preserved Tablet (Lauh al-Mahfuz).
That is, the conditions, events, lifespans, sustenance, profit and loss of all creatures have been written since eternity.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ مَا أَصَابَ مِنْ مُّصِیْبَۃٍ فِی الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِیْ أَنْفُسِکُمْ إِلَّا فِیْ کِتَابٍ مِّنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ نَّبْرَأَہَا ﴾

Translation:
“Whatever disaster befalls on the earth or on yourselves, it is already written in the Book before We bring it into existence.”

And He said:

﴿ وَکُلُّ شَیْءٍ أَحْصَیْنَاہُ فِیْ إِمَامٍ مُّبِیْنٍ ﴾

“We have recorded everything in a clear Book.”

➌ Qadar (Belief in Allah’s Will)
Meaning to believe that whatever happens in the world occurs by Allah’s will — if He wills, it happens; if He does not will, it does not happen.

Allah Almighty says:

﴿ وَمَا تَشَاؤُوْنَ إِلَّا أَنْ یَّشَاءَ اللّٰہُ ﴾

Translation:
“You cannot will anything except that Allah wills.”

Therefore, a believer says in every matter:
“Ma sha Allah, la quwwata illa billah” — “Whatever Allah wills, happens; there is no power except with Him.”

➍ Khalq (Belief in Allah’s Creation)
Allah Almighty is the Creator of all things — the actions, intentions, movements, and stillness of humans are all from His creation.

Allah Almighty says:

﴿ وَاللّٰہُ خَلَقَکُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ ﴾

Translation:
“Allah created you and your deeds as well.”

This belief makes the servant understand that whether good or bad, everything is under Allah’s will and knowledge; however, choice and intention belong to the human, and responsibility lies upon him.

❖ Fruits of Belief in Qadar

Belief in Qadar instills several great morals and qualities in the heart of the servant:

➊ Peace and tranquility: A person knows that what was meant to happen has happened, and what was not meant to happen did not occur.
➋ Patience and acceptance: Being patient in adversity and content with Allah’s decree.
➌ Protection from arrogance: One does not become proud of success, because they know that success is from Allah.
➍ Avoidance of sin: The knowledge that Allah sees everything prevents a person from disobedience.

❖ Teachings of the Prophet ﷺ

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

(اِعْلَمْ أَنَّ مَا أَصَابَکَ لَمْ یَکُنْ لِیُخْطِئَکَ، وَمَا أَخْطَأَکَ لَمْ یَکُنْ لِیُصِیْبَکَ)

Translation:
“Know that what reached you could not have missed you, and what missed you could not have reached you.”

This hadith clarifies the reality of faith in divine decree — that every matter occurs according to Allah’s decision.

❖ Clarification of Misconceptions

Some people justify their shortcomings in the name of fate.
This is incorrect, because Allah has also given humans free will — they may choose to do good or sin, but the outcome is according to His decree.

Allah’s command:

﴿ فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْیُؤْمِنْ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْیَکْفُرْ ﴾

“Whoever wills, let him believe; and whoever wills, let him disbelieve.”

This verse clarifies that Allah has given humans the choice to act, but the outcome is according to His knowledge and will.

❖ Faith without belief in Qadr (Divine Decree) is incomplete

The Prophet ﷺ said:

(لَا یُؤْمِنُ عَبْدٌ حَتّٰی یُؤْمِنَ بِالْقَدَرِ خَیْرِہٖ وَشَرِّہٖ)

Translation:
“No servant can become a true believer until he believes in good and bad destiny.”

🌷 Conclusion

The concept of faith in Islam is not merely theoretical but a practical and moral system of life.
A servant who truly believes in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Hereafter, and Divine Decree prioritizes Allah’s pleasure at every stage of life.

❖ Faith in Allah teaches the servant monotheism and sincerity.
❖ Faith in the angels gives him a sense of responsibility.
❖ Faith in the books grants him the light of knowledge and guidance.
❖ Faith in the messengers binds him to obey the Prophet ﷺ and follow the Sunnah.
❖ Faith in the Hereafter makes him conscious of accountability in the afterlife.
❖ Faith in Divine Decree brings him to a state of peace, patience, acceptance, and contentment.

These pillars of faith are interconnected and are the pillars of perfect faith.
Whoever believes in them and acts according to their requirements, for him there is honor in this world and the glad tidings of Paradise in the Hereafter.

The command of Allah Almighty:

﴿ مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّنْ ذَکَرٍ أَوْ اُنْثٰی وَہُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْیِیَنَّہٗ حَیٰوۃً طَیِّبَۃً ﴾

Translation:
“Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, We will surely grant them a pure life.”