Iman
Faith is the belief of a Muslim: that which a person believes to be true about God, His guidance and the Hereafter. Faith helps us to understand what it means to worship and to be responsible for our actions.
Six Foundations of Faith
In the early Sunni teachings, the fundamentals of faith are usually studied in six themes:
- Allah is One God, with no equal.
- Angels are God's creatures who carry out his commands.
- The Holy Scriptures are a revelation to men.
- The Prophets were God's chosen people to communicate His guidance.
- The Day of Judgment is the Resurrection and the Request of Allah.
- Predestination is faith in God's knowledge and will.
The Quran also speaks of belief in God, angels, the Book, the Messengers and the Last Day.[1]
How it relates to life
Iman is not just a list of words to memorize. Faith in God leads to repentance, faith in the Last Day leads to a remembrance of the consequences of one's actions, and faith in the prophets leads to a study of the guidance they have brought. The Quran links faith with prayer, helping the needy, and fulfilling promises.[2]
Where to Start
Learn the basics one by one. You can first open the articles of Allah and Tauhid, then move on to the rest of the paragraphs. If a question seems complex, it is helpful to formulate it in your own words and discuss it with a trained teacher who explains the sources God is not ashamed of questions.