When the prophet Muhammad ﷺ was asked about Iman (true faith), he answered:
‘It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His revealed Books, His messengers, the Resurrection Day, and in destiny, its good and evil.’ [Bukhari]
These six items have been called the articles of faith. Let's look into each of them, and comment on them briefly.
To describe Allah, we mostly use the descriptions He provided for Himself in the Quran or through the words of His prophet ﷺ.
Allah is the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He is known by the most beautiful names and attributes.
He is One and Only, for whom there is no second. He is self-sufficient, while all creation depends on Him. He begets not, nor is He begotten. He has no partners, no equals, and no counterparts. He is not like any of His creation.
He is All-Hearing and All-Seeing, He is ever accessible through sincere supplication. When you call upon Him, He is closer to you than your jugular vein.
The most beatiful description of Allah, we can find in the Quran in Ayatul Kursi (2:255), in Surah Al-Ikhlas, and in the end of Surah Al-Hashr (59:18-24).
2. Angels are creation of Allah made from light. Among them is Jibreel, Mikail, Israfil, and the Angel of Death (peace be upon them). Jibreel is the angel who brings revelation to the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them).
3. Books: the divine revelation given to the messengers and prophets as the guidance to humanity. They included Zabur given to David, Torah given to Moses, Gospel given to Jesus, and the Quran given to Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon them). Scriptures sent before the Quran were either lost or corrupted by people. The Quran is the last of the Books, preserved in its original form, which abrogated all previous scriptures. The Quran will serve as the guidance for all people and nations till the end of times.
4. Messengers: the best of people chosen by Allah to receive revelation and to inform their people. There were many of them, all carrying the same message of Tawhid. Muhammad (ﷺ) is the final prophet and messenger sent to all humanity. There is no prophet or messenger after him.
5. The Last Day: starts from the resurrection of people. On that Day we’ll meet Allah and the Judgement will takes place, where every person’s deeds are examined. The righteous go to Heaven, and wrongdoers go to Hell.
6. Destiny: everything that happens (both good and evil) is ordained by Allah, by His Divine Decree and Power. He is the Creator of every cause and effect, and He is the ultimate planner.
Understanding and believing in these articles of Faith is part of our religion. We ask Allah to strenthen our Iman and increase us in beneficial knowledge! Ameen!