THE SIX PILLARS OF IMAN
Just as Islam has five pillars (please recall the definitions of Islam and Pillar), so Iman (please recall the definition of Iman in all of its three necessary components) also has six pillars, taught to us by the Prophet (sas). These pillars are:Belief in Allah;Belief in the angels;Belief in the revealed books;Belief in the commissioned Messengers (peace be upon them).Belief in the resurrection and the events of Qiyama.Belief in the predestination by Allah of all things, both the (seemingly) good and the (seemingly) bad.
THE FIRST PILLAR
Belief in Allah Most High.
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It is the foundation of the Islamic personality.
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It is a basic human need, more basic than the need for his provision and sustenance.
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Acts of worship only become real and valid with the feeling and awareness of their Object.
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supplication
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love
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humility
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fear
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hope/reliance
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adoration
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Differences between the Creator and His creation.
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He is free of any need for others.
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He is the sole Creator of all that which pleases Him (and that which doesn't).
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Allah has ordered His creation and forbidden them only in ways which are in their best interest.
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He sent the Messengers and the books with the truth Ilm-ul-Ghaib.
He alone can guide to Iman. This is why the people of paradise will say:[All praise be to Allah who guided us to this, for we never would have been guided to it if He had not guided us to it.]The best worship is insufficient as gratitude for his bounties and mercies - they always fall short and we are need of His forgiveness.No one's works will merit paradise. There is no contradiction between the Hadith:"None shall enter Paradise by his actions." and the verse which says:[These are the people of paradise, therein forever, a reward for that which they used to do.]Every human needs Allah's forgiveness of his sins.
THE SECOND PILLAR
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