Iman — Definition, Pillars, and Branches

terms Level: basic aqeedah trm-016

إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ

— الأنفال 2

Definition: Belief in heart, profession on tongue, action with limbs — increases through obedience, decreases through disobedience.

Six pillars (from Jibril's hadith): Allah, angels, books, messengers, Last Day, divine decree good and evil — Agreed Upon.

Branches: "Iman has seventy-some branches — highest is 'No deity but Allah', lowest is removing harm from the road." (Muslim)

Increases and decreases: "When His verses are recited it increases them in faith." (8:2)

Source: Sahih Muslim (8) Jibril hadith; Al-Bayhaqi, Shu'ab Al-Iman

Question: What are the six pillars of Iman?

Answer: Allah, the angels, the Books, the Messengers, the Last Day, divine decree — its good and evil.