The term "rukun iman" is a noun phrase from Arabic, translating to "the pillars of faith." In Islamic theology, it refers to the six fundamental articles of belief that constitute the core of Islamic creed (`aqidah`). These articles are considered the essential, non-negotiable foundations upon which a Muslim's faith is built and are accepted as absolute truths revealed by God.
The six pillars are systematically defined as: 1) Belief in Allah, acknowledging His absolute oneness (Tawhid), uniqueness, and perfection as the sole creator and sustainer. 2) Belief in His Angels (`Malaikah`), unseen spiritual beings created from light who serve God without question. 3) Belief in His revealed Books (`Kutub`), divine scriptures sent to guide humanity, including the Quran as the final and preserved revelation. 4) Belief in His Messengers (`Rusul`), the prophets sent by God to convey His message, culminating in Muhammad. 5) Belief in the Day of Judgment (`Yawm al-Qiyamah`), the final day of resurrection, accountability for one's deeds, and eternal life in Paradise or Hell. 6) Belief in Divine Decree (`Qadar`), the conviction that God has knowledge of and ordains all events, both good and ill, while humans retain free will and are responsible for their actions.
Acceptance of these six articles is an internal, cognitive, and spiritual commitment that is considered a prerequisite for one's Islam to be complete. They form the ideological framework that gives meaning to a Muslim's worldview and purpose to their acts of worship. While the "Five Pillars of Islam" concern outward actions (profession of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage), the "Six Pillars of Faith" relate to the internal conviction that validates those actions and defines a believer's relationship with God and the unseen world.
