Basics of Islam

What do they believe in?

Declaration of Faith (Iman-e-Mujmal)

'Imaan' means to have faith in something and to proclaim it. To a Muslim imaan means firm belief in Allah and the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Iman-e-Mujmal

Aamantu bilLahi kamahuwa biasmaihi wa Sifatihi wa Kabiltu jamiah ahkamii.

"I believe in Allah as He is with Him many names and qualities and I have accepted all His orders."

Khalimahs

The Khalimahs (or Words) are declaration of faith.

  1. Kalimah Tauheed / Tayyibah
  2. Kalimah Shahaadat
  3. Kalimah Tamjeed
  4. Kalimah Tawheed
  5. Kalimah Radd Kufr

7 articles of faith

Essentials of Faith (Iman-e-Mufassal)

There are seven things which Muslims believe in - known as the articles of faith - and these are mentioned in the surah Iman-e-Mufassal (Detailed declaration of faith):

In Arabic:

Iman-e-Mufassal

Transliteration:

Aamantu bilLahi
wa Malaikatihi
wa Kutubihi
wa Rusulihi
wal Yawmul Akhirihi
wal Qadri khairihi wa sharrihi minALlahi Ta’ala
wal ba’sihi Ba’adal Mawt.

In English:

I believe in ALlāh;
and His Angels;
and His Books;
and His Messengers;
and the Day of Judgment;
and that of Fate, the good and the bad given by ALlāh Ta’ala;
and the Life after Death.

The seven things a Muslim should believe in are:

  1. Belief in ALlāh
  2. Belief in His Angels
  3. Belief in His Books (Kitabs)
  4. Belief in His Messengers (Nabis)
  5. Belief in the Day of Judgment (Qiyamat)
  6. Belief in Fate (Taqdeer)
  7. Belief in the Life after Death

5 Pillars of Islam ('Arkanul Islam')

There are five things a Muslim must do practically:

  1. Shahadah (Declaration of faith)
  2. Salat / Namaz (Prayer)
  3. Zakat (Charity)
  4. Sawm (Fasting - 'Ruza' in Bengali)
  5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)