Source: Khutbāt Hāfiz Muhammad Ishāq Zāhid
Imān (faith) is the foundation of Islam. Without it, a person’s life remains lost in darkness. In previous sermons, the significance of faith and the first three articles of Imān — belief in Allah, in the angels, and in the revealed books — have been discussed.
This article completes the series by detailing the remaining three pillars of Imān:
➊ Belief in the Messengers (Imān bil-Rusul)
➋ Belief in the Last Day (Imān bil-Yawm al-Ākhir)
➌ Belief in Divine Decree (Imān bil-Qadr)
The true essence of Imān is that a person believes in the heart, proclaims it with the tongue, and affirms it through actions.
❀ May Allah grant us true and complete faith. ❀
Believing in the Messengers means:
✔ Affirming that Allah selected special individuals from His servants to convey His revelation.
✔ Having faith in all the Messengers mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith, and also in those not mentioned.
✔ Believing that all Messengers conveyed Allah’s message with full trust, concealed nothing, and did not alter it.
The Prophets fulfilled their duties with utmost trust, established proof against the people, sincerely guided them, and clarified the path of righteousness.
Whoever follows them is rightly guided, and whoever disobeys them is led astray.
Prophethood is the link between the Creator and His creation, through which divine revelation and law are conveyed.
It is a divine gift, not something attainable by effort or intellect.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ اَللّٰہُ یَصْطَفِیْ مِنَ الْمَلَائِکَۃِ رُسُلًا وَمِنَ النَّاسِ إِنَّ اللّٰہَ سَمِیْعٌ بَصِیْرٌ ﴾
[Surah al-Ḥajj: 75]
Translation:
“Allah chooses Messengers from among the angels and from among the people. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”
Also:
﴿ اَللّٰہُ یَجْتَبِیْ إِلَیْہِ مَنْ یَّشَاءُ وَیَہْدِیْ إِلَیْہِ مَنْ یُّنِیْبُ ﴾
[Surah ash-Shūrā: 13]
Translation:
“Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns to Him.”
Allah sent His Messengers for various profound reasons. Some of them include:
The primary objective of all Prophets was to direct people towards the worship of Allah alone and away from all forms of shirk.
Allah says:
﴿ وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِیْ کُلِّ أُمَّۃٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰہَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ ﴾
[Surah an-Naḥl: 36]
Translation:
“We certainly sent a Messenger to every nation, saying: ‘Worship Allah and avoid all false deities.’”
Another purpose was to complete the argument against the people, so they have no excuse on the Day of Judgement.
Allah says:
﴿ رُسُلًا مُّبَشِّرِیْنَ وَمُنْذِرِیْنَ لِئَلَّا یَکُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَی اللّٰہِ حُجَّۃٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ ﴾
[Surah an-Nisā’: 165]
Translation:
“We sent Messengers as bringers of good tidings and as warners so that people may have no argument against Allah after the Messengers.”
Also:
﴿ اَلَّذِیْنَ یُبَلِّغُونَ رِسَالَاتِ اللّٰہِ وَیَخْشَوْنَہُ وَلَا یَخْشَوْنَ أَحَدًا إِلَّا اللّٰہَ ﴾
[Surah al-Aḥzāb: 39]
Translation:
“They are those who convey the messages of Allah and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allah.”
The Prophets informed mankind of unseen matters beyond the reach of human intellect, such as:
✦ Allah’s names and attributes
✦ Angels
✦ The Last Day
✦ Accountability
✦ Paradise and Hell
Prophets were sent not only to convey revelation but also to act upon it and become living examples of divine law.
Allah says:
﴿ وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَیْکَ الذِّکْرَ لِتُبَیِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَیْہِمْ ﴾
[Surah an-Naḥl: 44]
Translation:
“We revealed to you the Reminder (Qur’an) so that you may explain to the people what has been sent down to them.”
Also:
﴿ أُولٰئِکَ الَّذِیْنَ ہَدَی اللّٰہُ فَبِہُدَاہُمُ اقْتَدِہْ ﴾
[Surah al-Anʿām: 90]
Translation:
“These are the ones whom Allah has guided, so follow their guidance.”
Allah says:
﴿ ہُوَ الَّذِیْ بَعَثَ فِی الْأُمِّیِّیْنَ رَسُولًا مِّنْہُمْ یَتْلُو عَلَیْہِمْ آیَاتِہِ وَیُزَکِّیہِمْ وَیُعَلِّمُہُمُ الْکِتَابَ وَالْحِکْمَۃَ ﴾
[Surah al-Jumuʿah: 2]
Translation:
“He is the One Who sent among the unlettered people a Messenger from among themselves reciting His verses to them, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَکَارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ)
[al-Bayhaqī, Musnad Aḥmad, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 2349]
Translation:
“I was only sent to perfect noble character.”
All Prophets came with the same religion – Islam, calling to Tawheed (monotheism) and forbidding all forms of shirk.
Allah says:
﴿ إِنَّ الدِّیْنَ عِندَ اللّٰہِ الْإِسْلَامُ ﴾
[Surah Āl ʿImrān: 19]
Translation:
“Indeed, the only religion acceptable to Allah is Islam.”
Despite variations in their laws, all Prophets shared the same belief and message.
Sayyidunā Abū Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported:
(الأَنْبِیَاءُ إِخْوَۃٌ لِعَلَّاتٍ... وَدِیْنُہُمْ وَاحِدٌ)
[Bukhārī: 3443, Muslim: 2365]
Translation:
“The Prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.”
Belief in the Last Day refers to having firm conviction in everything that will occur after death — from the grave, to resurrection, reckoning, paradise, hell, and all the events of the Hereafter. This is a fundamental pillar of Imān.
Faith in the Last Day shapes a person’s actions and worldview. It cultivates accountability, sincerity, patience, and detachment from worldly pleasures, knowing that eternal reward or punishment lies ahead.
Among the significant matters that a believer affirms regarding the Hereafter are:
❶ Death and Barzakh (life in the grave)
❷ Blowing of the Trumpet and Resurrection
❸ Gathering (Hashr)
❹ Presentation of Deeds (Ardh)
❺ Accountability (Hisāb)
❻ Scale (Mīzān)
❼ Bridge (Ṣirāṭ)
❽ Intercession (Shafāʿah)
❾ Paradise and Hell
❿ Eternal Abode
Allah mentions the Last Day throughout the Qur'an, often linking it with belief in Himself.
Allah says:
﴿ وَمَنْ یُؤْمِنۢ بِاللَّهِ وَالْیَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ﴾
[Surah al-Baqarah, multiple verses]
Translation:
“And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day…”
Belief in the Hereafter is inseparable from true Islamic faith and a criterion for righteous deeds.
Belief in Qadr (Divine Decree) means accepting that:
✔ Allah knows all things — past, present, and future.
✔ He wrote everything in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ).
✔ Nothing happens except by His will.
✔ Allah is the Creator of everything, including the actions of His servants.
Scholars have explained belief in Qadr in four levels:
① Knowledge (العلم):
Allah has complete knowledge of everything, from the beginning to the end.
② Writing (الكتابة):
Allah has recorded everything in the Preserved Tablet.
③ Will (المشيئة):
Whatever Allah wills happens, and whatever He does not will, never occurs.
④ Creation (الخلق):
Allah is the Creator of everything — including human deeds.
Allah says:
﴿ إِنَّا كُلَّ شَیْءٍ خَلَقْنَـٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ ﴾
[Surah al-Qamar: 49]
Translation:
“Indeed, We created everything by a precise measure (Qadr).”
Belief in Divine Decree does not negate human will or responsibility. Man is accountable for his choices, and the Shariah is based on commands and prohibitions.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(كُلٌّ مُيَسَّرٌ لِمَا خُلِقَ لَهُ)
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī & Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Translation:
“Everyone is facilitated towards what he was created for.”
Thus, while Allah knows and decrees all things, humans are morally responsible for their actions.
Belief in Qadr is among the foundations of Imān. Without it, a person's belief is incomplete. This pillar reinforces trust in Allah, patience in trials, and humility in success.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(لَا يُؤْمِنُ عَبْدٌ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَ بِالْقَدَرِ خَيْرِهِ وَشَرِّهِ)
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 2144 – Ḥasan]
Translation:
“No servant truly believes until he believes in Qadr – its good and its bad.”
Belief in the Last Day — including Resurrection, Accountability, Paradise, and Hellfire — is one of the fundamental pillars of faith.
It is to firmly believe that every soul will taste death, and then be resurrected to stand before Allah for the reckoning of its deeds.
Allah says:
﴿ یَوْمَ یَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ الْأَجْدَاثِ سِرَاعًا کَأَنَّہُمْ إِلٰی نُصُبٍ یُّوفِضُونَ ﴾
[Surah al-Maʿārij: 43]
Translation:
“The Day when they will come out of the graves swiftly, as if they were racing towards their idols.”
And He says:
﴿ قُلْ إِنَّ الْأَوَّلِیْنَ وَالْآخِرِیْنَ لَمَجْمُوْعُوْنَ إِلٰی مِیْقَاتِ یَوْمٍ مَّعْلُوْمٍ ﴾
[Surah al-Wāqiʿah: 49–50]
Translation:
“Say, ‘Indeed, the former and the later ones will all be gathered for the appointed Day.’”
The Qur'an refers to the Last Day by various names, each reflecting a particular aspect of its horror and gravity:
① Yawm al-Qiyāmah (The Day of Resurrection)
﴿ لَا أُقْسِمُ بِیَوْمِ الْقِیَامَۃِ ﴾ [al-Qiyāmah: 1]
“I swear by the Day of Resurrection.”
② Al-Qāriʿah (The Calamity)
﴿ اَلْقَارِعَۃُ، مَا الْقَارِعَۃُ ﴾ [al-Qāriʿah: 1–2]
“The Calamity! What is the Calamity?”
③ Yawm al-Ḥisāb (The Day of Reckoning)
﴿... نَسُوْا یَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ ﴾ [Ṣād: 26]
“...Because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.”
④ Yawm ad-Dīn (The Day of Recompense)
﴿ یَصْلَوْنَہَا یَوْمَ الدِّیْنِ ﴾ [al-Infiṭār: 15]
“They will burn in it on the Day of Recompense.”
⑤ Aṭ-Ṭāmmah (The Overwhelming Disaster)
﴿ فَإِذَا جَاءَتِ الطَّامَّۃُ الْکُبْرٰی ﴾ [an-Nāziʿāt: 34]
“When the overwhelming calamity comes.”
⑥ Al-Wāqiʿah (The Inevitable Event)
﴿ إِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْوَاقِعَۃُ ﴾ [al-Wāqiʿah: 1]
“When the inevitable event occurs.”
⑦ Al-Ḥāqqah (The Reality)
﴿ اَلْحَاقَّۃُ، مَا الْحَاقَّۃُ ﴾ [al-Ḥāqqah: 1–2]
“The Reality! What is the Reality?”
⑧ Aṣ-Ṣākhkhah (The Deafening Blast)
﴿ فَإِذَا جَاءَتِ الصَّاخَّۃُ ﴾ [ʿAbasa: 33]
“Then when the deafening blast comes.”
⑨ Al-Ghāshiyah (The Overwhelming)
﴿ ہَلْ أَتَاکَ حَدِیْثُ الْغَاشِیَۃِ ﴾ [al-Ghāshiyah: 1]
“Has there come to you the report of the Overwhelming (Day)?”
Complete belief in the Last Day includes belief in all the events that occur after death, such as:
◈ The blessings or punishment of the grave
◈ The blowing of the Trumpet
◈ The resurrection of all creation
◈ The gathering and presentation of deeds
◈ The accountability before Allah
◈ The scale for weighing deeds
◈ The Ḥawḍ (Pond of Kawthar)
◈ The Ṣirāṭ (Bridge over Hell)
◈ And finally, Paradise or Hellfire
Belief in these is a necessary condition for complete faith (Imān kāmil).
Belief in Divine Decree is the sixth pillar of faith, and without it, one's belief is incomplete.
It means that Allah has predetermined everything based on His eternal knowledge and wisdom.
Nothing occurs except by His knowledge, will, and power.
Allah says:
﴿ إِنَّا کُلَّ شَیْءٍ خَلَقْنَاہُ بِقَدَرٍ ﴾
[Surah al-Qamar: 49]
Translation:
“Indeed, We have created everything according to a set measure.”
Belief in Qadr is part of believing in Allah’s Lordship (Rubūbiyyah) — that He alone is the Creator, Planner, and Controller of all things.
There are four essential levels of belief in Qadr:
One must believe that Allah knows everything — past, present, and future — and nothing is hidden from Him.
Allah says:
﴿ أَنَّ اللّٰہَ یَعْلَمُ مَا فِی السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ... إِنَّ ذٰلِکَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ یَسِیرٌ ﴾
[al-Ḥajj: 70]
Translation:
“Do you not know that Allah knows everything in the heavens and the earth? Indeed, that is easy for Allah.”
And:
﴿ وَعِنْدَہُ مَفَاتِحُ الْغَیْبِ لَا یَعْلَمُہَا إِلَّا ہُوَ ﴾
[al-Anʿām: 59]
Translation:
“With Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him... all things are written in a Clear Record.”
One must believe that Allah wrote everything that will occur until the Day of Judgement in the Preserved Tablet.
Allah says:
﴿ مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِی الْکِتَابِ مِنْ شَیْءٍ ﴾
[al-Anʿām: 38]
“We have left nothing out of the Book.”
And:
﴿ إِلَّا فِی کِتَابٍ مُّبِیْنٍ ﴾
[Yūnus: 61]
“Everything is written in a Clear Record.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(كَتَبَ اللّٰہُ مَقَادِیْرَ الْخَلَائِقِ... بِخَمْسِیْنَ أَلْفَ سَنَۃٍ)
[Muslim: 2653]
Translation:
“Allah wrote the decrees of all creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.”
Everything happens only by Allah’s will. Whatever He wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will never occurs.
Allah says:
﴿ وَمَا تَشَاءُوْنَ إِلَّا أَنْ یَشَاءَ اللّٰہُ ﴾
[at-Takwīr: 29]
Translation:
“You will not will unless Allah, the Lord of the worlds, wills.”
The Prophet ﷺ said to a man who said, “As Allah and you will”:
(أَجَعَلْتَنِیْ لِلّٰہِ نِدًّا؟...)
[Musnad Aḥmad, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Albānī: 139]
Translation:
“Have you made me a partner with Allah? Rather say: Whatever Allah alone wills.”
One must believe that Allah is the sole Creator of everything — including the actions of His servants.
Allah says:
﴿ اللّٰہُ خَالِقُ کُلِّ شَیْءٍ ﴾
[az-Zumar: 62]
“Allah is the Creator of all things.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(خَلَقَ اللّٰہُ کُلَّ صَانِعٍ وَصَنْعَتَہُ)
[al-Bazzār]
“Allah created every craftsman and his craftsmanship.”
The Salaf aṣ-Ṣāliḥīn believed:
✔ Allah is the sole Creator and Owner of all things.
✔ He wrote all decrees before creating the creation.
✔ Human deeds, lifespan, provision, and destiny are all pre-recorded.
✔ Yet, Allah gave man will and choice, so he may choose between good and evil.
Allah says:
﴿ وَالَّذِیْنَ جَاہَدُوْا فِیْنَا لَنَہْدِیَنَّہُمْ سُبُلَنَا ﴾
[al-ʿAnkabūt: 69]
Translation:
“And those who strive in Our cause — We will surely guide them to Our ways.”
✔ Strive in obedience and avoid sin.
✔ Seek Allah’s help.
✔ Be patient during hardships and believe that only what is decreed will happen.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِیُّ خَیْرٌ... قَدَّرَ اللّٰہُ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ)
[Muslim: 2664]
Translation:
“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer... If something afflicts you, do not say: ‘If only I had done such and such,’ but say: ‘This is what Allah decreed, and He does what He wills.’”
Faith (Imān) is the foundation of Islam, and no deed is accepted without it.
The six pillars of faith are:
➊ Belief in Allah
➋ Belief in the Angels
➌ Belief in the Revealed Books
➍ Belief in the Messengers
➎ Belief in the Last Day
➏ Belief in Divine Decree
Each component has been detailed. Highlights include:
✔ Belief in the Messengers demands conviction that they conveyed Allah’s message truthfully and were protected from errors in revelation.
✔ Belief in the Last Day awakens accountability and inspires preparation for the Hereafter.
✔ Belief in Divine Decree nurtures patience, contentment, and reliance on Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The strong believer is better than the weak believer... and if afflicted, say: 'Allah has decreed it, and He does what He wills.'”
[Muslim: 2664]
❖ The Foundation of Islam
Imān (faith) is the foundation of Islam. Without it, a person’s life remains lost in darkness. In previous sermons, the significance of faith and the first three articles of Imān — belief in Allah, in the angels, and in the revealed books — have been discussed.
This article completes the series by detailing the remaining three pillars of Imān:
➊ Belief in the Messengers (Imān bil-Rusul)
➋ Belief in the Last Day (Imān bil-Yawm al-Ākhir)
➌ Belief in Divine Decree (Imān bil-Qadr)
The true essence of Imān is that a person believes in the heart, proclaims it with the tongue, and affirms it through actions.
❀ May Allah grant us true and complete faith. ❀
❖ Belief in the Messengers
✿ Meaning of Believing in the Messengers
Believing in the Messengers means:
✔ Affirming that Allah selected special individuals from His servants to convey His revelation.
✔ Having faith in all the Messengers mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith, and also in those not mentioned.
✔ Believing that all Messengers conveyed Allah’s message with full trust, concealed nothing, and did not alter it.
The Prophets fulfilled their duties with utmost trust, established proof against the people, sincerely guided them, and clarified the path of righteousness.
Whoever follows them is rightly guided, and whoever disobeys them is led astray.
✿ The Reality of Prophethood
Prophethood is the link between the Creator and His creation, through which divine revelation and law are conveyed.
It is a divine gift, not something attainable by effort or intellect.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ اَللّٰہُ یَصْطَفِیْ مِنَ الْمَلَائِکَۃِ رُسُلًا وَمِنَ النَّاسِ إِنَّ اللّٰہَ سَمِیْعٌ بَصِیْرٌ ﴾
[Surah al-Ḥajj: 75]
Translation:
“Allah chooses Messengers from among the angels and from among the people. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”
Also:
﴿ اَللّٰہُ یَجْتَبِیْ إِلَیْہِ مَنْ یَّشَاءُ وَیَہْدِیْ إِلَیْہِ مَنْ یُّنِیْبُ ﴾
[Surah ash-Shūrā: 13]
Translation:
“Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns to Him.”
❖ Wisdom Behind the Sending of Messengers
Allah sent His Messengers for various profound reasons. Some of them include:
① To Call to Tawheed and Free People from Servitude to Others
The primary objective of all Prophets was to direct people towards the worship of Allah alone and away from all forms of shirk.
Allah says:
﴿ وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِیْ کُلِّ أُمَّۃٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰہَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ ﴾
[Surah an-Naḥl: 36]
Translation:
“We certainly sent a Messenger to every nation, saying: ‘Worship Allah and avoid all false deities.’”
② To Establish Proof Against Mankind
Another purpose was to complete the argument against the people, so they have no excuse on the Day of Judgement.
Allah says:
﴿ رُسُلًا مُّبَشِّرِیْنَ وَمُنْذِرِیْنَ لِئَلَّا یَکُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَی اللّٰہِ حُجَّۃٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ ﴾
[Surah an-Nisā’: 165]
Translation:
“We sent Messengers as bringers of good tidings and as warners so that people may have no argument against Allah after the Messengers.”
Also:
﴿ اَلَّذِیْنَ یُبَلِّغُونَ رِسَالَاتِ اللّٰہِ وَیَخْشَوْنَہُ وَلَا یَخْشَوْنَ أَحَدًا إِلَّا اللّٰہَ ﴾
[Surah al-Aḥzāb: 39]
Translation:
“They are those who convey the messages of Allah and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allah.”
③ To Convey Knowledge of the Unseen
The Prophets informed mankind of unseen matters beyond the reach of human intellect, such as:
✦ Allah’s names and attributes
✦ Angels
✦ The Last Day
✦ Accountability
✦ Paradise and Hell
④ To Serve as Practical Examples
Prophets were sent not only to convey revelation but also to act upon it and become living examples of divine law.
Allah says:
﴿ وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَیْکَ الذِّکْرَ لِتُبَیِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَیْہِمْ ﴾
[Surah an-Naḥl: 44]
Translation:
“We revealed to you the Reminder (Qur’an) so that you may explain to the people what has been sent down to them.”
Also:
﴿ أُولٰئِکَ الَّذِیْنَ ہَدَی اللّٰہُ فَبِہُدَاہُمُ اقْتَدِہْ ﴾
[Surah al-Anʿām: 90]
Translation:
“These are the ones whom Allah has guided, so follow their guidance.”
⑤ To Purify and Reform the Souls
Allah says:
﴿ ہُوَ الَّذِیْ بَعَثَ فِی الْأُمِّیِّیْنَ رَسُولًا مِّنْہُمْ یَتْلُو عَلَیْہِمْ آیَاتِہِ وَیُزَکِّیہِمْ وَیُعَلِّمُہُمُ الْکِتَابَ وَالْحِکْمَۃَ ﴾
[Surah al-Jumuʿah: 2]
Translation:
“He is the One Who sent among the unlettered people a Messenger from among themselves reciting His verses to them, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَکَارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ)
[al-Bayhaqī, Musnad Aḥmad, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 2349]
Translation:
“I was only sent to perfect noble character.”
❖ The Religion of All Prophets – Islam
All Prophets came with the same religion – Islam, calling to Tawheed (monotheism) and forbidding all forms of shirk.
Allah says:
﴿ إِنَّ الدِّیْنَ عِندَ اللّٰہِ الْإِسْلَامُ ﴾
[Surah Āl ʿImrān: 19]
Translation:
“Indeed, the only religion acceptable to Allah is Islam.”
Despite variations in their laws, all Prophets shared the same belief and message.
Sayyidunā Abū Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported:
(الأَنْبِیَاءُ إِخْوَۃٌ لِعَلَّاتٍ... وَدِیْنُہُمْ وَاحِدٌ)
[Bukhārī: 3443, Muslim: 2365]
Translation:
“The Prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.”
❖ Belief in the Last Day (الإيمان باليوم الآخر)
✿ What Is Meant by the Last Day?
Belief in the Last Day refers to having firm conviction in everything that will occur after death — from the grave, to resurrection, reckoning, paradise, hell, and all the events of the Hereafter. This is a fundamental pillar of Imān.
✿ Importance of Belief in the Last Day
Faith in the Last Day shapes a person’s actions and worldview. It cultivates accountability, sincerity, patience, and detachment from worldly pleasures, knowing that eternal reward or punishment lies ahead.
✿ Key Events of the Last Day
Among the significant matters that a believer affirms regarding the Hereafter are:
❶ Death and Barzakh (life in the grave)
❷ Blowing of the Trumpet and Resurrection
❸ Gathering (Hashr)
❹ Presentation of Deeds (Ardh)
❺ Accountability (Hisāb)
❻ Scale (Mīzān)
❼ Bridge (Ṣirāṭ)
❽ Intercession (Shafāʿah)
❾ Paradise and Hell
❿ Eternal Abode
✿ Qur’anic Emphasis on the Hereafter
Allah mentions the Last Day throughout the Qur'an, often linking it with belief in Himself.
Allah says:
﴿ وَمَنْ یُؤْمِنۢ بِاللَّهِ وَالْیَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ﴾
[Surah al-Baqarah, multiple verses]
Translation:
“And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day…”
Belief in the Hereafter is inseparable from true Islamic faith and a criterion for righteous deeds.
❖ Belief in Divine Decree (الإيمان بالقدر)
✿ Definition
Belief in Qadr (Divine Decree) means accepting that:
✔ Allah knows all things — past, present, and future.
✔ He wrote everything in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ).
✔ Nothing happens except by His will.
✔ Allah is the Creator of everything, including the actions of His servants.
✿ Four Levels of Qadr
Scholars have explained belief in Qadr in four levels:
① Knowledge (العلم):
Allah has complete knowledge of everything, from the beginning to the end.
② Writing (الكتابة):
Allah has recorded everything in the Preserved Tablet.
③ Will (المشيئة):
Whatever Allah wills happens, and whatever He does not will, never occurs.
④ Creation (الخلق):
Allah is the Creator of everything — including human deeds.
✿ Qur’anic Evidence
Allah says:
﴿ إِنَّا كُلَّ شَیْءٍ خَلَقْنَـٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ ﴾
[Surah al-Qamar: 49]
Translation:
“Indeed, We created everything by a precise measure (Qadr).”
✿ Belief in Qadr and Human Responsibility
Belief in Divine Decree does not negate human will or responsibility. Man is accountable for his choices, and the Shariah is based on commands and prohibitions.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(كُلٌّ مُيَسَّرٌ لِمَا خُلِقَ لَهُ)
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī & Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Translation:
“Everyone is facilitated towards what he was created for.”
Thus, while Allah knows and decrees all things, humans are morally responsible for their actions.
❖ The Link Between Imān and Qadr
Belief in Qadr is among the foundations of Imān. Without it, a person's belief is incomplete. This pillar reinforces trust in Allah, patience in trials, and humility in success.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(لَا يُؤْمِنُ عَبْدٌ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَ بِالْقَدَرِ خَيْرِهِ وَشَرِّهِ)
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 2144 – Ḥasan]
Translation:
“No servant truly believes until he believes in Qadr – its good and its bad.”
❖ Belief in the Last Day (الإيمان باليوم الآخر)
✿ The Reality of Belief in the Hereafter
Belief in the Last Day — including Resurrection, Accountability, Paradise, and Hellfire — is one of the fundamental pillars of faith.
It is to firmly believe that every soul will taste death, and then be resurrected to stand before Allah for the reckoning of its deeds.
Allah says:
﴿ یَوْمَ یَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ الْأَجْدَاثِ سِرَاعًا کَأَنَّہُمْ إِلٰی نُصُبٍ یُّوفِضُونَ ﴾
[Surah al-Maʿārij: 43]
Translation:
“The Day when they will come out of the graves swiftly, as if they were racing towards their idols.”
And He says:
﴿ قُلْ إِنَّ الْأَوَّلِیْنَ وَالْآخِرِیْنَ لَمَجْمُوْعُوْنَ إِلٰی مِیْقَاتِ یَوْمٍ مَّعْلُوْمٍ ﴾
[Surah al-Wāqiʿah: 49–50]
Translation:
“Say, ‘Indeed, the former and the later ones will all be gathered for the appointed Day.’”
✿ Names of the Day of Judgement in the Qur’an
The Qur'an refers to the Last Day by various names, each reflecting a particular aspect of its horror and gravity:
① Yawm al-Qiyāmah (The Day of Resurrection)
﴿ لَا أُقْسِمُ بِیَوْمِ الْقِیَامَۃِ ﴾ [al-Qiyāmah: 1]
“I swear by the Day of Resurrection.”
② Al-Qāriʿah (The Calamity)
﴿ اَلْقَارِعَۃُ، مَا الْقَارِعَۃُ ﴾ [al-Qāriʿah: 1–2]
“The Calamity! What is the Calamity?”
③ Yawm al-Ḥisāb (The Day of Reckoning)
﴿... نَسُوْا یَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ ﴾ [Ṣād: 26]
“...Because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.”
④ Yawm ad-Dīn (The Day of Recompense)
﴿ یَصْلَوْنَہَا یَوْمَ الدِّیْنِ ﴾ [al-Infiṭār: 15]
“They will burn in it on the Day of Recompense.”
⑤ Aṭ-Ṭāmmah (The Overwhelming Disaster)
﴿ فَإِذَا جَاءَتِ الطَّامَّۃُ الْکُبْرٰی ﴾ [an-Nāziʿāt: 34]
“When the overwhelming calamity comes.”
⑥ Al-Wāqiʿah (The Inevitable Event)
﴿ إِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْوَاقِعَۃُ ﴾ [al-Wāqiʿah: 1]
“When the inevitable event occurs.”
⑦ Al-Ḥāqqah (The Reality)
﴿ اَلْحَاقَّۃُ، مَا الْحَاقَّۃُ ﴾ [al-Ḥāqqah: 1–2]
“The Reality! What is the Reality?”
⑧ Aṣ-Ṣākhkhah (The Deafening Blast)
﴿ فَإِذَا جَاءَتِ الصَّاخَّۃُ ﴾ [ʿAbasa: 33]
“Then when the deafening blast comes.”
⑨ Al-Ghāshiyah (The Overwhelming)
﴿ ہَلْ أَتَاکَ حَدِیْثُ الْغَاشِیَۃِ ﴾ [al-Ghāshiyah: 1]
“Has there come to you the report of the Overwhelming (Day)?”
✿ Details of Belief in the Last Day
Complete belief in the Last Day includes belief in all the events that occur after death, such as:
◈ The blessings or punishment of the grave
◈ The blowing of the Trumpet
◈ The resurrection of all creation
◈ The gathering and presentation of deeds
◈ The accountability before Allah
◈ The scale for weighing deeds
◈ The Ḥawḍ (Pond of Kawthar)
◈ The Ṣirāṭ (Bridge over Hell)
◈ And finally, Paradise or Hellfire
Belief in these is a necessary condition for complete faith (Imān kāmil).
❖ Belief in Divine Decree (الإيمان بالقدر)
✿ Definition of Qadr (Divine Decree)
Belief in Divine Decree is the sixth pillar of faith, and without it, one's belief is incomplete.
It means that Allah has predetermined everything based on His eternal knowledge and wisdom.
Nothing occurs except by His knowledge, will, and power.
Allah says:
﴿ إِنَّا کُلَّ شَیْءٍ خَلَقْنَاہُ بِقَدَرٍ ﴾
[Surah al-Qamar: 49]
Translation:
“Indeed, We have created everything according to a set measure.”
Belief in Qadr is part of believing in Allah’s Lordship (Rubūbiyyah) — that He alone is the Creator, Planner, and Controller of all things.
✿ The Four Levels of Belief in Qadr
There are four essential levels of belief in Qadr:
① Belief in Allah’s Perfect Knowledge
One must believe that Allah knows everything — past, present, and future — and nothing is hidden from Him.
Allah says:
﴿ أَنَّ اللّٰہَ یَعْلَمُ مَا فِی السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ... إِنَّ ذٰلِکَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ یَسِیرٌ ﴾
[al-Ḥajj: 70]
Translation:
“Do you not know that Allah knows everything in the heavens and the earth? Indeed, that is easy for Allah.”
And:
﴿ وَعِنْدَہُ مَفَاتِحُ الْغَیْبِ لَا یَعْلَمُہَا إِلَّا ہُوَ ﴾
[al-Anʿām: 59]
Translation:
“With Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him... all things are written in a Clear Record.”
② Belief in the Written Decree (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ)
One must believe that Allah wrote everything that will occur until the Day of Judgement in the Preserved Tablet.
Allah says:
﴿ مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِی الْکِتَابِ مِنْ شَیْءٍ ﴾
[al-Anʿām: 38]
“We have left nothing out of the Book.”
And:
﴿ إِلَّا فِی کِتَابٍ مُّبِیْنٍ ﴾
[Yūnus: 61]
“Everything is written in a Clear Record.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(كَتَبَ اللّٰہُ مَقَادِیْرَ الْخَلَائِقِ... بِخَمْسِیْنَ أَلْفَ سَنَۃٍ)
[Muslim: 2653]
Translation:
“Allah wrote the decrees of all creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.”
③ Belief in Allah’s Will and Permission
Everything happens only by Allah’s will. Whatever He wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will never occurs.
Allah says:
﴿ وَمَا تَشَاءُوْنَ إِلَّا أَنْ یَشَاءَ اللّٰہُ ﴾
[at-Takwīr: 29]
Translation:
“You will not will unless Allah, the Lord of the worlds, wills.”
The Prophet ﷺ said to a man who said, “As Allah and you will”:
(أَجَعَلْتَنِیْ لِلّٰہِ نِدًّا؟...)
[Musnad Aḥmad, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Albānī: 139]
Translation:
“Have you made me a partner with Allah? Rather say: Whatever Allah alone wills.”
④ Belief that Allah is the Creator of Everything
One must believe that Allah is the sole Creator of everything — including the actions of His servants.
Allah says:
﴿ اللّٰہُ خَالِقُ کُلِّ شَیْءٍ ﴾
[az-Zumar: 62]
“Allah is the Creator of all things.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(خَلَقَ اللّٰہُ کُلَّ صَانِعٍ وَصَنْعَتَہُ)
[al-Bazzār]
“Allah created every craftsman and his craftsmanship.”
❖ The View of the Salaf Regarding Qadr
The Salaf aṣ-Ṣāliḥīn believed:
✔ Allah is the sole Creator and Owner of all things.
✔ He wrote all decrees before creating the creation.
✔ Human deeds, lifespan, provision, and destiny are all pre-recorded.
✔ Yet, Allah gave man will and choice, so he may choose between good and evil.
Allah says:
﴿ وَالَّذِیْنَ جَاہَدُوْا فِیْنَا لَنَہْدِیَنَّہُمْ سُبُلَنَا ﴾
[al-ʿAnkabūt: 69]
Translation:
“And those who strive in Our cause — We will surely guide them to Our ways.”
❖ Responsibilities Regarding Qadr
✔ Strive in obedience and avoid sin.
✔ Seek Allah’s help.
✔ Be patient during hardships and believe that only what is decreed will happen.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِیُّ خَیْرٌ... قَدَّرَ اللّٰہُ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ)
[Muslim: 2664]
Translation:
“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer... If something afflicts you, do not say: ‘If only I had done such and such,’ but say: ‘This is what Allah decreed, and He does what He wills.’”
Conclusion
Faith (Imān) is the foundation of Islam, and no deed is accepted without it.
The six pillars of faith are:
➊ Belief in Allah
➋ Belief in the Angels
➌ Belief in the Revealed Books
➍ Belief in the Messengers
➎ Belief in the Last Day
➏ Belief in Divine Decree
Each component has been detailed. Highlights include:
✔ Belief in the Messengers demands conviction that they conveyed Allah’s message truthfully and were protected from errors in revelation.
✔ Belief in the Last Day awakens accountability and inspires preparation for the Hereafter.
✔ Belief in Divine Decree nurtures patience, contentment, and reliance on Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The strong believer is better than the weak believer... and if afflicted, say: 'Allah has decreed it, and He does what He wills.'”
[Muslim: 2664]
