The basis of faith in Islam is
simple: There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God (la ilaha
ill Allah wa-Muhammad rasul Allah). But what is God? Muslims believe that God is
both transcendent (beyond existence and description) and immanent (present, an
Arabic term for which is tashbih). To further elaborate on this, Muslims believe
that God has many qualities and names, one of the most significant of which is
Allah, a word in Arabic signifying God for both Muslim and Christian Arabs. For
many medieval Muslim thinkers, the name Allah signifies God's comprehensiveness,
God's all-inclusiveness. Another name of God, one that is more particular, is
al-Khaliq (the creator). Thus Muslims believe that God is the ultimate creator
of existence. After creating existence, Muslims believe that God does not leave
the creation without guidance. Hence there are signs of God and guidance from
God in existence. In addition to these signs that are embedded in existence, God
periodically revealed wisdom to prophets, wisdom which in some cases was in
verbal form and which has become known as sacred scripture. Muslims believe that
the last of the prophets was Muhammad (PBUH). The revealed wisdom, or
revelation, given to him is the Qur'an. The purpose of revelation is to enable
humans both to devote themselves to God and to lead lives and construct
societies that will increase their closeness to God in this world and for all
eternity. Hence in Islam, like traditional Judaism, Islamic practice in harmony
with guidance given by God's revelation is emphasized as being the key to
salvation. Unlike in Judaism, however, Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the
form of revelation that can be relied on today, in contrast to the Bible, which
Muslims believe has been subject to human influence.
The true, faithful Muslim believes in the 6 following principal articles of
faith:
1) A Muslim believes in One God, Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty,
Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and Provider.
God has no father nor mother, no sons nor daughters. He has not fathered anyone
nor was He fathered. None equal to Him. He is God of all mankind, not of a
special tribe or race.God is High and SupremeHe loves the people who love Him
and forgives their sins. He gives them peace, happiness, knowledge and success.
2) A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of God without any
discrimination.
All messengers were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine revelations and
appointed by God to teach mankind. The Holy Quran mentions the names of 25
messengers and prophets and states that there are others. These include Noah,
Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. Their message is the same
and it is Islam and it came from One and the Same source; God, and it is to
submit to His will and to obey his law, i.e. to become a Muslim.
3) A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were
complete and in their original versions.
Revelations were given to guide the people to the right path of God. The Quran
refers to the books revealed to Abrahim, Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad (PBUM).
Today the Quran is the only authentic and complete book of God. No scholar has
questioned the fact that the Quran today is the same as it was more than 1400
years ago. Muslims till today memorize the Quran word by word as a whole or in
part.
4) A Muslim believes in the angels of God.
They are purely spiritual and splendid beings created by God. They require no
food or drink or sleep. They have neither physical desires nor material needs.
Angels spend their time in the service of God. Each charged with a certain duty.
Angels cannot be seen by the naked eyes.
5) A Muslim believes in the day of Judgement.
This world as we know it will come to an end and the dead will rise to stand for
their final and fair trial. Everything we do, say, make, intends and thinks are
accounted for and kept in accurate records. They are brought up on the day of
Judgement. People with good records will be generously rewarded and warmly
welcomed to God's Heaven. People with bad records will be fairly punished and
cast into Hell.
The time of the Day of Judgement is only known to God and God alone.
6) Predestination.
A Muslim believes in the ultimate Knowledge and Power of God to plan and execute
His plans. God is Wise, Just, and Loving and whatever He does must have a good
motive, although we may fail sometimes to understand it fully. The believer
should have strong faith in God, recognizing that their own knowledge is limited
and their thinking is based on individual consideration. In contrast, the
Knowledge of God is limitless and He plans on a universal basis.