In the hadith of Jibril ﷺ — one of the most comprehensive single hadith in Islam — the Angel asked the Prophet ﷺ about iman. He replied: “Iman is to believe in Allah ﷻ, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in divine decree — both the good of it and the bad.” (Muslim 8). These six are the foundational beliefs of Islamic faith. A Muslim who denies any of them has, in the view of scholars, stepped outside the boundaries of the faith.
The six pillars explained
1. Belief in Allah ﷻ. His existence, His uniqueness (tawheed), His names and attributes. 2. Belief in the Angels. Created from light, they carry out Allah’s ﷻ commands, record deeds, deliver revelation, and are present throughout the universe. 3. Belief in the Books. The Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran were all revealed by Allah ﷻ. The Quran is the final, preserved, uncorrupted revelation. 4. Belief in the Messengers. From Adam ﷺ to Muhammad ﷺ — all sent with the same core message of tawheed, each for their people and time. Muhammad ﷺ is the final prophet (Quran 33:40). 5. Belief in the Last Day. Death, the grave, resurrection, judgement, and the final destinations of paradise and hellfire — all real. 6. Belief in divine decree (Qadr). Everything that happens — good and bad — is within the knowledge, will, and decree of Allah ﷻ. What strikes a person was never going to miss them; what misses was never going to strike. (Abu Dawud 4699).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the six pillars of iman?
Belief in Allah ﷻ, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree (qadr) — established in the hadith of Jibril ﷺ (Muslim 8). These are the foundational articles of Islamic faith. The Five Pillars are what Islam requires in action; the Six Pillars of Iman are what Islam requires in belief. Both are essential — the outer structure and the inner foundation.
What struck you was never going to miss you. What missed you was never going to strike. That is qadr. Believing it — genuinely — removes the anxiety of the unknown. Because the unknown belongs to Allah ﷻ.