Foundations of the religion
The three levels of the religion as the Prophet ﷺ taught them when Jibril came to teach the Companions: Islam, its five pillars; Iman, its six; and Ihsan. Each is cited to its verse or authentic hadith and to islamweb, and leads into the sections that explain it.
12 entries
The outward acts the religion is built on (al-Bukhari 8).
- 1The two testimoniesBearing witness that none is worthy of worship but Allah, and that Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger: the door into Islam.Quran
- 2The prayerFive prayers a day at their fixed times: the link between the servant and his Lord, and the first deed to be judged.Quran
- 3ZakahA set share of wealth, given each year to those Allah named, that purifies the wealth and the soul.Quran
- 4Fasting RamadanKeeping from food, drink and intimacy from dawn to sunset through the month of Ramadan.Quran
- 5HajjThe pilgrimage to the House in Makkah, once in a lifetime for whoever is able to make the journey.Quran
What the heart believes, as the Prophet ﷺ listed it to Jibril (Muslim 8a).
- 1Belief in AllahBelieving that Allah exists, that He alone is Lord, that He alone is worthy of worship, and in His Names and Attributes.Quran
- 2Belief in the angelsBelieving in the angels Allah created from light, who obey Him and carry out His commands.Quran
- 3Belief in the booksBelieving that Allah sent down books to His messengers, among them the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms and the Quran, which supersedes them.Quran
- 4Belief in the messengersBelieving in every messenger Allah sent, making no distinction between them, the last of them Muhammad ﷺ.Quran
- 5Belief in the Last DayBelieving in all that follows death: the grave, the Resurrection, the Reckoning, and Paradise and Hell.Quran
- 6Belief in qadarBelieving that Allah knew, wrote, willed and created all that happens, the good of it and the bad.Quran
The highest level: worship with full presence, as though you see Allah.