A Simple Guide to the Six Articles of Faith in Islam

The Foundation of Everything Imagine building a house without a foundation. No matter how beautiful the walls or how elegant the furniture, the first strong wind would bring it all crashing down. Faith is exactly the same. It needs a solid foundation, something unshakable that holds everything together when life's storms hit. This is where the Six Articles of Faith come in. They are the non-negotiable beliefs that every Muslim must hold in their heart. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was asked about faith (iman), and he replied: "Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny, both the good and the evil thereof." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 8)
These six beliefs aren't just abstract concepts to memorize. They are the lenses through which we see all of reality. They shape how we understand ourselves, our purpose, our struggles, and our ultimate destiny. Let's explore each one in a way that speaks to your heart and your daily life.

1. Belief in Allah: The Heart of Everything

The first and most fundamental article of faith is belief in Allah,His existence, His lordship, His right to be worshipped, and His beautiful names and attributes. But what does this mean for you, right now, in your everyday life? It means that when you wake up in the morning, you know there is Someone watching over you. When you're stuck in traffic and running late, you know there is a wisdom behind the delay. When you make a dua and it seems unanswered, you know that Allah hears you and will respond in the way that is best for you,even if you can't see it yet. Believing in Allah means understanding that He is Ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful), whose mercy embraces everything. He is Al-Wadud (the Loving), who loves you more than a mother loves her child. He is Al-Hakim (the All-Wise), who never does anything without purpose, even when that purpose is hidden from your eyes. Allah tells us in the Quran: "Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth." (Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255) This verse, Ayat al-Kursi, is a complete description of who Allah is. He is not distant or uninvolved. He is Al-Qayyum,the One who sustains and maintains every single creation in every moment. Your heartbeat, your breath, the thoughts in your mind, all are sustained by Him. When you truly believe in Allah, you never feel truly alone. You know that there is a Power greater than any problem you face, and a Mercy greater than any sin you've committed.

2. Belief in the Angels: Unseen Companions

The second article of faith is belief in the angels, creations of light created by Allah to carry out His commands. They are unseen to us, but their presence and their work are real. Why should this matter to you? Because every time you do something good, know that there are angels recording it. Every time you resist a sin, know that they are witnessing your struggle. Every time you feel alone in your worship, remember that the angels may be praying with you or saying Ameen to your dua. The Prophet ﷺ told us: "When a servant says, 'Alhamdulillah' (praise be to Allah), the angels say, 'O Allah, bless him.' When he says, 'SubhanAllah' (glory be to Allah), the angels say, 'O Allah, forgive him.'" (Ibn Abi Shaybah, authenticated by Al-Albani) Some angels have specific duties we should know about: Jibril (Gabriel) brought revelation to the prophets Mikail is responsible for rain and sustenance Israfil will blow the Trumpet on the Day of Judgment Malik is the keeper of Hell Ridwan is the keeper of Paradise Munkar and Nakir question the dead in their graves Kiraman Katibin are the noble scribes who record our deeds Believing in the angels connects us to an unseen world that is very real. It reminds us that we are never truly alone and that every moment of our lives is witnessed and recorded.

3. Belief in the Books: Divine Guidance

The third article of faith is belief in all the books revealed by Allah to His messengers. These include: The Scrolls of Ibrahim and Musa The Torah (Tawrah) revealed to Musa (Moses) The Psalms (Zabur) revealed to Dawud (David) The Gospel (Injil) revealed to Isa (Jesus) The Quran revealed to Muhammad ﷺ We believe that all of these books came from the same source Allah and contained guidance for their respective nations. However, we also believe that previous scriptures have been altered, changed, or lost over time, while the Quran remains perfectly preserved in its original language. Allah says: "Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its guardian." (Quran, Surah Al-Hijr 15:9) For you, as a Muslim, belief in the Quran means something profound: You have direct access to the words of your Creator, unchanged and unaltered. When you open the Quran, you're not reading a translation of what Allah might have said you're engaging with His actual speech. The Quran is your personal guidebook for life. It addresses your heart, your struggles, your questions. It comforts you in sadness, corrects you when you're wrong, and guides you toward what is best in every situation. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5027) Make the Quran your companion. Read it, reflect on it, and let it transform you.

4. Belief in the Messengers: Role Models for Humanity

The fourth article of faith is belief in all the prophets and messengers sent by Allah. We believe that Allah sent messengers to every nation, beginning with Adam and ending with Muhammad ﷺ. The Quran mentions 25 prophets by name, including Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad ﷺ. We believe in all of them and honor them all. We do not differentiate between them in terms of belief they were all beloved servants of Allah who delivered the same core message: worship Allah alone. Allah says: "Say, 'We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub, and the Descendants, and in what was given to Musa and Isa and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [submitting] to Him.'" (Quran, Surah Al-Imran 3:84) Why does this matter for your daily life? Because the prophets are our role models. When you face difficulty, look at the patience of Ayyub (Job). When you feel alone in your faith, remember the struggle of Nuh (Noah). When you're tested in your love for something, think of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. And in everything, follow the example of Muhammad ﷺ, whose character was the living embodiment of the Quran. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked about the character of the Prophet ﷺ, and she replied: "His character was the Quran." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 746) The messengers show us that it's possible to live a life of faith despite all the challenges of being human.

5. Belief in the Last Day: The Ultimate Destination

The fifth article of faith is belief in the Last Day the Day of Judgment when all of humanity will be resurrected and held accountable for their deeds. This belief includes everything that will happen after death: the trial of the grave, the resurrection, the gathering, the accounting of deeds, the weighing of scales, the bridge of Sirat, and ultimately, Paradise or Hellfire. For many of us, thinking about death and judgment can feel heavy or frightening. But belief in the Last Day, when understood correctly, is actually a source of immense comfort and motivation. Think about it this way: This world is full of injustice. Good people suffer, evil people seem to prosper, and so much seems unfair. Belief in the Last Day assures us that ultimate justice will be served. Every wrong will be made right. Every hidden good deed will be rewarded. Every tear shed for Allah will be compensated. Allah says: "Does man think that he will be left neglected?" (Quran, Surah Al-Qiyamah 75:36) No. You will not be forgotten. Your life has meaning, and your actions have consequences that extend far beyond this temporary world. The Prophet ﷺ advised us: "Remember often the destroyer of pleasures death." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2307, authenticated by Al-Albani) This isn't meant to make you depressed. It's meant to give you perspective. When you're about to sin, remembering the Last Day can stop you. When you're feeling hopeless, remembering Paradise can lift you. When you're struggling, remembering that this life is temporary helps you persevere.

6. Belief in Divine Destiny: Trusting Allah's Plan

The sixth and final article of faith is belief in divine destiny what is known in Arabic as Qadr. This means believing that everything good or bad that happens in this world happens by Allah's knowledge, will, and decree. The Prophet ﷺ explained this belief when he said: "And to believe in divine destiny, both the good and the evil thereof." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 8) This is perhaps the most misunderstood and most comforting of all the articles of faith. Let's be clear: Believing in destiny does not mean that we sit back and do nothing. It doesn't mean that our choices don't matter. Rather, it means understanding that Allah's knowledge encompasses everything past, present, and future and that nothing happens except by His will. At the same time, Allah has given us free will. We make real choices, and we are accountable for them. How do these two things go together? It's a divine mystery, but the scholars explain it simply: We act, and Allah creates the outcome. We choose, and Allah knows what we will choose before we choose it. For your daily life, belief in Qadr means: Peace in hardship: When something bad happens, you know it came from Allah's wisdom, even if you don't understand it Humility in success: When something good happens, you know it was from Allah, not just your own effort Freedom from anxiety: You do your best, and then you trust the outcome to Allah Protection from despair: No matter how bad things get, you know that Allah's plan is greater than your current situation The Prophet ﷺ said: "Know that what has passed you by was not going to befall you, and what has befallen you was not going to pass you by." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2516, authenticated by Al-Albani) This hadith is incredibly liberating. It means you can stop obsessing over "what if." You can stop regretting the past and fearing the future. You can live in the present, doing your best, and leaving the results to Allah. The Fruits of Faith: How These Beliefs Transform You When you truly internalize these six articles of faith, they don't just sit in your mind they transform your entire being. You gain true peace. The anxiety of not knowing why you're here or what happens after death dissolves. You have answers to life's biggest questions. You find strength in hardship. When trials come and they will you know they have meaning. You know that Allah is with you, that angels are witnessing your patience, that the prophets went through worse, that your deeds are being recorded, and that there's wisdom behind every difficulty. You develop humility. Knowing that Allah is the Creator, that angels are watching, that books were revealed, that messengers were sent, that judgment is coming, and that destiny is in Allah's hands all of this keeps you grounded. You become hopeful. No matter how many sins you've committed, Allah's mercy is greater. No matter how far you've strayed, you can always return. You live with purpose. Every action matters. Every word is recorded. Every intention is known. Life is not random it's a meaningful journey toward an eternal destination. Conclusion: Faith Is a Journey, Not a Destination The Six Articles of Faith are not just a checklist to memorize for Sunday school. They are living realities that should shape every moment of your life. And here's the beautiful truth: You don't have to have perfect faith. You just have to keep working on it. The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ used to say: "Faith increases and decreases. It increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience." This means that every good deed you do strengthens your faith, and every sin weakens it. So start where you are. Learn about Allah. Reflect on the angels. Read the Quran. Study the lives of the prophets. Remember the Last Day. Trust in Allah's plan. And ask Allah constantly to increase you in faith. The Prophet ﷺ used to make this dua: "O Turner of hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3522, authenticated by Al-Albani) Make this dua your own. Because faith is a journey, and every step you take toward Allah is a step worth taking. May Allah make us among those who truly believe, who live their faith, and who are rewarded with the highest Paradise. Ameen.