Discover the meaning of Iman (faith) in Islam, explore its six pillars, and learn how to strengthen your belief and connection with Allah.
Iman (إيمان) literally means "faith" or "belief" in Arabic. In Islamic theology, Iman refers to the inner conviction and heartfelt belief in Allah and His teachings. It goes beyond mere knowledge or verbal acknowledgment - it's a deep, sincere faith that influences one's actions and character.
"The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His verses are recited to them, they increase their faith." - Quran 8:2
Islam is structured in three interconnected levels:
The outer practices - the Five Pillars that Muslims perform. This is the foundation of submission to Allah.
The inner beliefs - the Six Pillars of faith that every Muslim must believe in their heart.
Excellence in worship - worshipping Allah as if you see Him, knowing that even if you don't see Him, He sees you.
Based on the famous Hadith of Angel Jibril, Iman consists of six fundamental beliefs:
Believing in the oneness of Allah (Tawhid) - that He is the only God worthy of worship, the Creator and Sustainer of all existence.
Angels are created from light and constantly worship Allah. They carry out His commands and serve various functions in the universe.
Allah sent guidance to humanity through various scriptures revealed to His messengers.
Allah sent prophets and messengers to guide humanity throughout history. Muslims must believe in all of them without distinction.
The Day of Judgment when all humans will be resurrected and held accountable for their deeds in this life.
Qadar means believing that everything happens according to Allah's knowledge, will, and decree, while humans still have free will and responsibility.
Iman can increase and decrease based on our actions and spiritual state. Here's how to strengthen it:
"And those who believe are stronger in love for Allah." - Quran 2:165
In Islamic theology, there's a debate about whether actions are part of Iman or separate from it. The majority view is that Iman includes belief in the heart, confirmation with the tongue, and righteous actions with the limbs. This means that true faith naturally leads to good deeds, and good deeds strengthen faith, creating a positive spiritual cycle.
To protect your faith from weakening:
Access daily reminders, Quranic verses, and spiritual guidance to help you strengthen your Iman with Allah Speak.