Arkan Al-Iman (أركان الإيمان) is an Arabic term that translates to “The Pillars of Faith.” These are the six fundamental beliefs that form the absolute core of a Muslim’s faith (Iman – إيمان). Unlike the Five Pillars of Islam (which are outward actions like prayer and fasting), the Six Pillars of Faith are deep, inner convictions that every Muslim holds in their heart.
These pillars are famously mentioned in the Hadith of Gabriel (حديث جبريل), where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and asked him about Islam, Iman, and Ihsan (excellence or perfection in worship).
-
Belief in Allah (God) – الإيمان بالله:
- This is the absolute foundation: believing in the absolute Oneness of Allah (Tawhid – توحيد) – meaning there’s no god but Him.
- It includes believing in His existence, that He’s the one and only Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of the universe, that He alone deserves worship, and believing in His Beautiful Names and Attributes (Al-Asma-ul-Husna – الأسماء الحسنى) as described in the Quran and Sunnah (سنة – the Prophet’s way).
-
Belief in His Angels – الإيمان بالملائكة:
- Muslims believe in the existence of angels (Mala’ikah – ملائكة) as unseen beings created by Allah from light. They don’t have free will and perfectly carry out all of Allah’s commands.
- They have various jobs, like delivering revelations (like Gabriel – Jibril), recording deeds (Kiraman Katibin), protecting people, and constantly praising Allah.
-
Belief in His Books (Revealed Scriptures) – الإيمان بالكتب السماوية:
- This means believing in all the divine books Allah sent down to His Prophets as guidance for humanity.
- This includes the Psalms (Zabur to David), the Torah (Tawrat to Moses), the Gospel (Injil to Jesus), and the final and complete revelation, the Holy Quran (to Prophet Muhammad). Muslims believe the Quran is the preserved, unaltered word of Allah, confirming and completing previous scriptures.
-
Belief in His Messengers (Prophets) – الإيمان بالرسل:
- Muslims believe that Allah sent countless prophets and messengers throughout history to guide humanity to the truth.
- This includes believing in all of them, from Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, all the way to the final Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon them all), without making distinctions between them. They were all human beings chosen by Allah to convey His message.
-
Belief in the Last Day (Day of Judgment) – الإيمان باليوم الآخر:
- This pillar involves believing in the Day of Resurrection, when this world will end, and everyone will be brought back to life and judged by Allah for their deeds.
- It includes believing in things like the Signs of the Hour, everyone gathering for judgment, the weighing of deeds, Paradise (Jannah – جنة), and Hellfire (Jahannam – جهنم). This belief helps motivate good behavior and a sense of accountability.
-
Belief in Divine Decree (Predestination) – Al-Qadar (القدر):
- This pillar means believing that everything that happens, good or bad, occurs by Allah’s will, knowledge, and wisdom. It doesn’t cancel out our free will or effort.
- It covers four key aspects: Allah’s eternal knowledge of everything, His recording of all events, His irresistible will, and His creation of everything. This belief encourages reliance on Allah (Tawakkul – توكل), patience during tough times, and gratitude during good times.
What is the importance of Arkan Al Iman?
Arkan Al Iman, also known as the six Pillars of Islam, holds great significance in the life of a Muslim.
Understanding Arkan AlIman is crucial for practitioners as it forms the foundation of their faith and worship.
Here’s why it’s important:
- Unity and Community: Muslims worldwide unite through the Six Pillars, fostering a sense of belonging.
- Spiritual Growth: Practicing the Six Pillars deepens one’s connection to Allah, leading to spiritual growth and inner peace.
In essence, understanding and upholding Arkan AlIman is essential for Muslims as it shapes their identity, strengthens their faith, and nurtures their relationship with the divine.
How many elements are in Arkan Al Iman?
Arkan Al-Iman, which translates to the “the six Pillars” in English, consists of six fundamental beliefs in Islam.
These pillars are essential for every Muslim to adhere to, guiding their faith and practice.
Understanding these elements is crucial for anyone seeking knowledge about Islam.
- belief in the oneness of Allah
- belief in the angels.
- belief in the divine books
- belief in the prophets
- belief in the Day of Judgment
- Belief in Qadr (Fate): Acceptance of divine fate and destiny.
These pillars constitute the core principles of Islam and form the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and practice.
Can Arkan Al Iman vary among different Islamic sects?
Yes, Arkan Al-Iman can indeed vary among different Islamic sects.
While core beliefs are common, there are differences in interpretation.
For instance, the Sunni and Shia sects may have some variations in how they understand and practice these fundamental beliefs.
Despite their differences, the core principles of Arkan AlIman remain essential for all Muslims.
Respecting and understanding these diverse perspectives is crucial to appreciating the richness of Islam.
I precisely needed to appreciate you again. I am not sure what I could possibly have tried in the absence of the ideas documented by you over such theme. It was a very horrifying scenario in my view, but being able to view the very well-written technique you handled that made me to leap for contentment. I am just happy for the help as well as hope that you know what an amazing job you are providing instructing other individuals via your website. Most probably you’ve never met all of us.
This is one awesome article post.Thanks Again. Want more.
Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thanks