The six articles of faith

Muslims have five pillars (things you do) and six articles of faith (things you believe). Today is the six you believe. Tomorrow is the five you do.

The six come from a famous hadith known as the hadith of Jibreel, where the angel Gabriel appeared in human form and asked the Prophet ﷺ to describe iman (faith). The Prophet said:

“That you believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and in divine decree, its good and its evil.”

— Sahih Muslim 8, Sahih al-Bukhari 50

1. Belief in Allah

We covered this on day 2. One God, no partner, no likeness, always existing, creator of everything. The rest of the articles all rest on this one.

2. Belief in the angels

Angels are created beings, made from light, not gods, not God's children. They do not disobey Allah. They have roles. Jibreel brought revelation. Mika'il is responsible for rain and provision. Israfil will blow the horn on the Last Day. Malak al-mawt takes souls. Two angels are with you now, one on each side, recording what you do.

3. Belief in the scriptures

Before the Quran, Allah sent the Torah to Musa (Moses), the Psalms (Zabur) to Dawud (David), the Injeel to Isa (Jesus), and scriptures to Ibrahim (Abraham). Muslims believe these were real revelations but their texts did not survive intact. The Quran is the final, preserved revelation.

4. Belief in the messengers

Twenty-five prophets are named in the Quran by name. Scholars say there were many more, sent to every people. Adam, Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad, peace be on all of them, are among the most mentioned. Isa (Jesus) has an entire chapter of the Quran named after his mother, Maryam.

All of them taught the same core message. There is one God. Worship Him alone. Do good. Be just.

5. Belief in the Last Day

At a time known only to Allah, this life ends. Everyone who ever lived will be raised, judged, and placed where they belong. Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam) are real. The Quran describes both in detail, not as metaphors.

6. Belief in divine decree

Nothing happens outside Allah's knowledge. Not a leaf falls that He does not know of. This is one of the harder ones for new Muslims because it collides with ideas of free will. The mainstream understanding is that you have real choice, and Allah already knows what you will choose. Both are true. You are not a puppet and you are not the author of reality.