Related slides 3
What holds the beliefs together
Islam describes human life as a relationship with a Creator who gives guidance and holds people responsible. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — Sahih Muslim 8a — describes six foundations of faith. They concern God, angels, revealed books, messengers, the Last Day and divine decree. Together, they explain the Islamic understanding of life, guidance and responsibility.
God and His guidance
Belief in one God means that worship belongs to the Creator alone. Angels are understood as created servants who carry out God's commands; they are not gods or objects of worship. Revelation means guidance communicated by God. Islam honours earlier revelations associated with prophets such as Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them), while treating the Qur'an as the final revelation. This does not mean that it accepts every existing religious text as unchanged revelation.
Messengers communicate guidance and demonstrate it through human lives. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is understood as the final prophet. Muslims honour him as a messenger, not as God.
Responsibility beyond the present
The Last Day means that earthly life is followed by resurrection and judgment. Divine decree means that nothing lies outside God's knowledge and power. This raises a natural question: if God knows everything, do choices matter? Islamic teaching holds both divine sovereignty and human responsibility together. Knowledge of an action is not an excuse for the person who chooses it.
For example, a student cannot excuse cheating by saying that it was destined. Seeking help, preparing honestly and accepting responsibility remain meaningful actions. Trust in God is intended to accompany effort, rather than replace it. The six beliefs connect human life with meaning, responsibility and accountability.
Qur’anic verses
Qur'an 2 : 285
The messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. Each believes in God, His angels, His books and His messengers. They say: We make no distinction between His messengers. We hear and obey. We seek Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is our return.
Read the verse and Arabic text
Qur'an 54 : 49
We have created everything according to a measure.
Read the verse and Arabic text
Qur'an 76 : 3
We have shown the human being the way, whether they choose gratitude or disbelief.
Read the verse and Arabic text
Hadith
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — Sahih Muslim 8a
Relevant passage — plain-English meaning
Faith includes belief in God, His angels, His revealed books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree, in both good and hardship.
Sources: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — Sahih Muslim 8a [4]
Read next: Who is Allah