The six pillars of iman are the articles of faith every Muslim affirms. Understanding them is the heart of Aqeedah.
Key Takeaways
- There are six pillars (articles) of iman.
- Belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree.
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) named these when asked about iman.
- Together they form the creed of every Muslim.
- They are the core of Aqeedah and a natural early study.
When the Angel Jibril came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the form of a man and asked him about faith, the answer he gave is the clearest summary of what a Muslim believes — the six pillars of iman.
The six articles
- Belief in Allah — His existence, lordship, and exclusive right to worship.
- Belief in the angels — created from light, carrying out His commands.
- Belief in the revealed books — including the Quran, the final revelation.
- Belief in the messengers — from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them).
- Belief in the Last Day — resurrection, judgement, Paradise and Hell.
- Belief in divine decree (qadar) — the good and bad of it from Allah.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the six pillars of iman?+
Belief in Allah; in His angels; in His revealed books; in His messengers; in the Last Day; and in divine decree (qadar), the good and bad of it. These are the articles of faith every Muslim affirms.
Where do the pillars of iman come from?+
From the well-known Hadith of Jibril, in which the Prophet (peace be upon him), asked about iman, named these six articles. They are foundational to Islamic creed.
How are iman and Islam different?+
The pillars of Islam are acts of worship (testimony, prayer, zakat, fasting, hajj); the pillars of iman are inner beliefs. The same hadith distinguishes them — Islam is outward practice, iman is inner faith.
Sources & Further Reading
Islamic Education Editorial Team
Reviewed by verified teachers (Quran, Arabic and Islamic studies) on the Talib Alillm platform.