In the Rainbow City in the Silk Province in the Star Kingdom, Mohammad Azzumurrud, the Arab and Muslim Koran memorizer, is still sharing his knowledge with his twenty Chinese friends (Yueliang Jian, Taiyang Jian, Junjie Song, Liling Heng, Mei Shun, Ji Biming, An Bo, Chang Dequan, Cong Fai, Jiang Qi, Wen Yu, Zhong Ming, Guotin Chuanli, Baozhai Aiguo, Chyou Bolin, Daiyu Chaoxiang, Fen Huizhong, Ju Jianyu, Nuo Park and Shu Qianfan) in regular knowledge sharing sessions held at the Merlin School. After Mohammad taught his friends about the five pillars of Islam, he moved to teaching his friends about the six pillars of faith in Islam. Believing in the six pillars of faith in Islam is essential to being a true Muslim and he/she who denies any pillar of these six is not considered a Muslim. The five pillars of Islam and the six pillars of faith in Islam are considered the alphabet of Islam.
The Six Pillars of Faith in Islam
Islam consists of two major components: Alaqeeda and Alshareeaa (العقيدة و الشريعة). Alaqeeda means creed, doctrine or system of beliefs. Alshareeaa (Sharia) means the canonical law of Islam. Alaqeeda prescribes what a Muslim must believe and what a Muslim must not believe. A Muslim must believe in every Truth and he/she must not believe in any falsehood. For example, a Muslim must believe that there is only One True God and that God is Allah. A Muslim must believe that Allah has no son (in other words, he must not believe that Allah has a son). Alshareeaa prescribes what a Muslim must do and what a Muslim must not do. A Muslim must do good deeds and shun bad or evil deeds. For example, a Muslim must pray to Allah five times a day. A Muslim must not drink wine or gamble. Both Alaqeeda and Alshareeaa are based on the Holy Koran and the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Alaqeeda rests in a Muslim's heart and Alshareeaa appears on a Muslim's organs. One aspect of the beauty of Islam is that it has crystal clear instructions in both Alaqeeda and Alshareeaa. The rules of what to believe and what not to believe and what to do and what not to do are pellucid. Both Alaqeeda and Alshareeaa are quite interrelated and they influence and reinforce one another.
Islam has six pillars of faith and these are:
1. To believe in Allah.
2. To believe in Allah's Angels.
3. To believe in Allah's Books.
4. To believe in Allah's Messengers.
5. To believe in the Last Day (The Day of Judgment in the Hereafter).
6. To believe in the Divine Decree (Destiny or Fate), both its good and evil aspects.
These pillars were mentioned in the Holy Koran and the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“O you who believe! Believe in Allah, and His Messenger (Muhammad), and the Book (the Koran) which He has sent down to His Messenger, and the Scripture which He sent down to those before (him), and whosoever disbelieves in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, then indeed he has strayed far away (136)” [THK: S 3: V 136].
“Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all things before their creation, as written in the Book of Decrees). (49)” [THK: S 54: V 49].
Prophet Muhammad mentioned these pillars as well in one famous Hadeeth as follows:
“He (the inquirer) said: inform me about faith. He (Prophet Muhammad) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil.” [BH-2].
A Muslim must believe with certainty (without any doubt) in the six pillars of faith and other Islamic beliefs mentioned in the Holy Koran and the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Believing in the Unseen is the major foundation of Islam. Without believing in the Unseen, the human vision will be quite deficient, distorted and incomplete. Believing in the Unseen complements the Seen world and adds the missing parts and components to make the human vision perfect, complete and meaningful. Allah commended in the Holy Koran those who believe in the Unseen where He said:
“Alif-Lam-Meem. (1) This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah. (2) Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We (Allah) have provided for them. (3) And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter. (4) They are on (true guidance), from their Lord and it is these who will prosper. (5)” [THK: S 2: V 1-5].
Mohammad Azzumurrud expounded the six pillars of faith in Islam as follows:
Pillar 1: Believe in Allah
Knowing Allah is the supreme and most honorable knowledge. Allah mentioned in the Holy Koran two ways by which human beings can know Allah: 1) The universe with all the signs and great creatures it has. 2) The Revelation of Allah (the Holy Koran and the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad). Muslim scholars call the universe The Visual Book of Allah (كتاب الله المنظور) and they call the Holy Koran The Inscribed Book of Allah (كتاب الله المسطور). By contemplating the visual book of Allah we can infer that greatness and the great wisdom of the Creator of the universe. Allah commended in the Holy Koran those who reflect on and contemplate the wonders of the universe to infer and prove the perfection of the Creator of the universe. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“Say: "Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth," but neither Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) nor warners benefit those who believe not. (101)” [THK: S 10: V 101].
“Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. (190) Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire. (191)” [THK: S 3: V 190-191].
Contemplating and reflecting on the Visual Book of Allah (the universe) lead us to many useful conclusions about the perfect attributes of the Creator of the universe. However, without the Inscribed Book of Allah, we will not know many significant information about the Creator of the universe such as His Name, description of His Self, Names, Attributes and Actions. Also, without the Inscribed Book of Allah, we will not know many paramount facts such as the purpose of life, from where have we come, to where we are going, what is after death, etc. These information can only be obtained from the Inscribed Book of Allah which is the Holy Koran, the miraculous Speech of Allah.
The Self of Allah
In the Holy Koran, Allah told us some information about His Supreme and Noble Self. Allah has a Face, Two Eyes and Two Hands. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“And invoke not any other Ilah (god) along with Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but He. Everything will perish save His Face. His is the Decision, and to Him you (all) shall be returned. (88)” [THK: S 28: V 88].
“Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. (26) And the Face of your Lord (Allah) full of Majesty and Honor will remain forever. (27)” [THK: S 55: V 26-27].
“And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord (Allah) with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, and who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has been lost. (28)” [THK: S 18: V 28].
“... And I endued you with love from Me (Allah), in order that you may be brought up under My Eye, (39)” [THK: S 20: V 39].
“So wait patiently (O Muhammad) for the Decision of your Lord (Allah), for verily, you are under Our Eyes, and glorify the Praises of your Lord when you get up from sleep. (48)” [THK: S 52: V 48].
“(Allah) said: "O Iblees (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands. Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted?" (75)” [THK: S 38: V 75].
Muslims believe that Allah has Two Eyes although Allah did not mentioned this explicitly in the Holy Koran. Allah mentioned in the Holy Koran His Eye (singular form) and His Eyes (plural form). Muslims inferred that Allah has Two Eyes from one Hadeeth that Prophet Muhammad said.
Nothing is like Allah. Allah is unique in His Self, Names, Attributes and Actions. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you mates from yourselves, and for the cattle (also) mates. By this means He creates you (in the wombs). There is nothing like Him (Allah), and He (Allah) is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. (11)” [THK: S 38: V 75].
This verse implies that you must believe that the Face of Allah is not like the face of a human or other creatures, that the Eyes of Allah are not like the eyes of humans or other creatures and that the Hands of Allah are not like the hands of humans or other creatures.
Allah is beautiful. Prophet Muhammad said in one Hadeeth: “Allah is Beautiful, He loves beauty.” [BH-2]. Allah has The Most Beautiful Names. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do. (180)” [THK: S 7: V 180].
The following verses from the Holy Koran mention some of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah:
“He is Allah, beside Whom is none has the right to be worshipped but He, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. (22) He is Allah beside Whom is none has the right to be worshipped but He, the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. (23) He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. (24)” [THK: S 59: V 22-24].
Allah is the Creator of everything, the Lord of everything, the God of everything, the Owner of everything and the All-Provider. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Wakil (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian) over all things. (62)” [THK: S 39: V 62].
“Say: "Shall I seek a lord other than Allah, while He is the Lord of all things? No person earns any (sin) except against himself (only), and no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another. Then unto your Lord is your return, so He will tell you that wherein you have been differing." (164)” [THK: S 6: V 164].
“And your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God - Allah), there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. (163)” [THK: S 2: V 163].
“I (Muhammad) have been commanded only to worship the Lord of this city (Makkah), Who has sanctified it and to whom belongs everything. And I am commanded to be from among the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) (91)” [THK: S 27: V 91].
“ To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is therein, and He is Able to do all things. (120)” [THK: S 5: V 120].
“Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong. (58)” [THK: S 51: V 58].
“And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (in the uterus, grave). all is in a Clear Book (the Book of Decrees with Allah). (6)” [THK: S 11: V 6].
“Is not He (better than your so-called gods) Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth? Is there any Ilah (god) with Allah? Say, "Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful." (64)” [THK: S 27: V 64].
“"You worship besides Allah only idols, and you only invent falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship besides Allah have no power to give you provision, so seek your provision from Allah (Alone), and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) you will be brought back. (17)” [THK: S 29: V 17].
Allah is above the Great Throne and the Great Throne is above the Seven Heavens. Allah is the Most High and there is nothing higher than Allah. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High, (1)” [THK: S 87: V 1].
“The Most Gracious (Allah) rose over the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). (5)” [THK: S 20: V 5].
“Say: "Whose is the earth and whosoever is therein? If you know!" (84) They will say: "It is Allah's!" Say: "Will you not then remember?" (85) Say: "Who is (the) Lord of the seven heavens, and (the) Lord of the Great Throne?" (86) They will say: "Allah." Say: "Will you not then fear Allah (believe in His Oneness, obey Him, believe in the Resurrection and Recompense for every good or bad deed)?" (87) Say "In Whose Hand is the sovereignty of everything (i.e. treasures of each and everything)? And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector, (i.e. if Allah saves anyone none can punish or harm him, and if Allah punishes or harms anyone none can save him), if you know?" (88) They will say: "(All that belongs) to Allah." Say: "How then are you deceived and turn away from the truth?" (89)” [THK: S 23: V 84-89].
The more knowledge you acquire about Allah from the Holy Koran and the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad, the more you love Allah and the stronger your faith in Allah will be.
Pillar 2: Believe in the Angels of Allah
Allah created three types of rational creatures: 1) Angels who do pure good and have perfect obedience to Allah 2) Devils (exceedingly sinful jinn) who do pure evil and have complete disobedience to Allah. 3) Humans and ordinary jinn who mix doing good and evil and obey and disobey Allah.
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The more a Muslim obeys Allah, the more he/she approaches to be like an angel in his/her heart, soul and body and the more a human being disobeys Allah, the more he/she approaches to be like a devil in his/her heart, soul and body.
Qatada, one of the famous Muslim scholars, said: “Allah, Glorified is He, created angels with minds without pleasurable desires (mainly food, drink and sex) and He created animals with pleasurable desires without minds and He created human and made for him a mind and a pleasurable desire. So he whose mind overcomes his pleasurable desire is with angels and he whose pleasurable desire overcomes his mind is like animals.” [AB-13].
Allah described the perfect obedience of angels to Allah in the Holy Koran:
“And they say: "The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a son (or children)." Glory to Him! They [whom they call children of Allah i.e. the angels, Jesus son of Mary, Ezra], are but honored slaves. (26) They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command. (27)” [THK: S 21: V 26-27].
“O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded. (6)”
[THK: S 66: V 6].
Allah assigns different tasks and duties to angels in this universe. For example, Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) is assigned the task of conveying the Revelation of Allah from Allah to the Prophets and Messengers of Allah. For every human being, there are two angels that accompany him/her all the time and they record his/her good and bad deeds in his/her book of deeds. This book of deeds will be given to every human being on the Day of Judgment and based on it, he/she will be punished in Hellfire or rewarded with Paradise. Allah mentioned these two angels in the Holy Koran:
“Nay! But you deny the Day of Recompense. (9) But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you, (10) Honorable, writing down (your deeds), (11) They know all that you do. (12) Verily, the Abrar (pious and righteous) will be in Delight (Paradise); (13) And verily, the Fujjar (the wicked, disbelievers, polytheists sinners and evil-doers) will be in the blazing Fire (Hell), (14)” [THK: S 82: V 9-14].
“And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge). (16) (Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions) (17) Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).(18)” [THK: S 50: V 16-18].
“And We have fastened every man's deeds to his neck, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall bring out for him a book which he will find wide open. (13) (It will be said to him): "Read your book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day." (14) Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his ownself. And whoever goes astray, then he goes astray to his own loss. No one laden with burdens can bear another's burden. And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning). (15)” [THK: S 17: V 13-15].
Pillar 3: Believe in the Books of Allah
Allah revealed Holy Books to His Prophets and Messengers in order to guide mankind to the Truth and the Straight Path of Allah. Allah mentioned some of these Holy Books in the Holy Koran. Allah revealed the Torah to Prophet Musa (Moses), Allah revealed the Psalms to Prophet Dawood (David), Allah revealed the Gospel to Prophet Isa (Jesus) and Allah revealed the Holy Koran to Prophet Muhammad. Jews corrupted the Torah and Christians corrupted the Gospel but Muslims preserved the Holy Koran (Muslims are the antithesis of Jews and Christians). The Holy Koran is the latest and greatest Book of Allah. The Holy Koran abrogated and superseded every previous book from Allah including the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel. The Holy Koran is the final Book from Allah to mankind. Every human being must believe in, obey and follow the instructions of the Holy Koran in order to please Allah so that he/she is salvaged from Hellfire and enters Paradise safely in the Hereafter on the Day of Judgment. Allah mentioned His Holy Books in the Holy Koran:
“Alif-Lam-Meem. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Koran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. (1) Allah! none has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. (2) It is He Who has sent down the Book (the Koran) to you (Muhammad) with truth, confirming what came before it. And he sent down the Torah and the Gospel (3) Aforetime, as a guidance to mankind, And He sent down the criterion [of judgement between right and wrong (this Koran)]. Truly, those who disbelieve in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, for them there is a severe torment; and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution. (4)” [THK: S 3: V 1-4].
“And your Lord knows best all who are in the heavens and the earth. And indeed, We have preferred some of the Prophets above others, and to David We gave the Psalms. (55)” [THK: S 17: V 55].
A Muslim must believe in all the Holy Books of Allah. Jews and Christians disbelieve in the Holy Koran and they will be punished in Hellfire in the Hereafter on the Day of Judgment. Whoever disbelieves in the Holy Koran will be punished in Hellfire in the Hereafter on the Day of Judgment. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“... but those of the sects (Jews, Christians and all the other non-Muslim nations) that reject it (the Koran), the Fire will be their promised meeting-place. So be not in doubt about it (i.e. those who denied Prophet Muhammad and also denied all that which he brought from Allah, surely, they will enter Hell). Verily, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the mankind believe not (17)” [THK: S 11: V 17].
Pillar 4: Believe in the Messengers of Allah
In order to guide people to the Truth and Straight Path of Allah, Allah chooses prophets and messengers from people that are the leader of Truth on the earth. Prophets and Messengers of Allah are the perfect human beings and they are the perfect examples of saying the Truth and applying it. Every human being must follow the prophets and messengers of Allah. Every human being must believe in, obey and follow Prophet Muhammad who is the final Prophet and Messenger from Allah to all mankind and to whom Allah revealed the Holy Koran which is the final Book of Allah to all mankind. Anyone who claims to be a prophet or a messenger of Allah after Prophet Muhammad is certainly an evil ans astray liar. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything. (40)” [THK: S 33: V 40].
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. (21)” [THK: S 33: V 21].
“Those were the (prophets) who received Allah's guidance: Follow the guidance they received; Say: "No reward for this do I ask of you: this is no less than a Message for the nations." (90)” [THK: S 6: V 90].
If a human being believes in all Prophets of Allah except one prophet of Allah, he/she is a disbeliever and will be punished in Hellfire in the Hereafter on the Day of Judgment. A Muslim believes in all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord (Allah), and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers" and they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)." (285)” [THK: S 2: V 285].
“Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allah and His Messengers (by believing in Allah and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, "We believe in some but reject others," and wish to adopt a way in between. (150) They are in truth disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating torment. (151)” [THK: S 4: V 150-151].
Pillar 5: Believe in the Last Day
Islam will not be fully meaningful unless it is viewed in the context of the Last Day which is the Day of Judgment in the Hereafter. He/she who looks at Islam as only instructions that Muslims do in this life misses the big picture and the complete context of Islam. The fruits of obeying the instructions of Islam in this life will be mainly on the Day of Judgment in the Hereafter. In the Last Day, Allah will resurrect all dead creatures and mankind and jinn will be held accountable in the presence of Allah for what they did in this fleeting life, both good and evil deeds. The accountability of each human being and jinn will be based on his/her book of deeds that was recorded for him/her in this fleeting life by the two companion angels. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“And (remember) the Day We shall cause the mountains to pass away (like clouds of dust), and you will see the earth as a levelled plain, and we shall gather them all together so as to leave not one of them behind. (47) And they will be set before your Lord (Allah) in (lines as) rows, (and Allah will say): "Now indeed, you have come to Us as We created you the first time. Nay, but you thought that We had appointed no meeting for you (with Us)." (48) And the Book (one's Record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer in the Oneness of Allah, and in the left hand for a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah), and you will see the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners), fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: "Woe to us! What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!" And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice. (49)” [THK: S 18: V 47-49].
In the Hereafter on the Day of Judgment, Muslims who obeyed the instructions of Allah in this life will be rewarded with Paradise and disbelievers (non-Muslims who reject to embrace Islam) who disobeyed Allah by rejecting Islam will be punished in Hellfire. The decision for every human being and jinn to go to either Paradise or Hellfire will be based on the good and evil deeds written in his/her book of deeds. Those whose good deeds outweigh their evil deeds will be in Paradise and those whose evil deeds outweigh their good deeds will be punished in Hellfire. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“Nay, but whosoever hath done evil and his sin surroundeth him; such are rightful owners of the Fire; they will abide therein. (81) And those who believe and do good works: such are rightful owners of the Garden. They will abide therein. (82)” [THK: S 2: V 81-82].
In the Hereafter on the Day of Judgment, non-Muslims to whom the message of Islam has not been conveyed sufficiently will be tested with a special test and those who pass the test will be rewarded with Paradise while those who fail the test will be punished in Hellfire. This is because Allah does not punish people and jinn in Hellfire unless they reject the message of Islam after it has been sufficiently conveyed to them. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his ownself. And whoever goes astray, then he goes astray to his own loss. No one laden with burdens can bear another's burden. And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning). (15)” [THK: S 17: V 15].
After the duration of torment in Hellfire comes to an end for each one who is punished in Hellfire, Allah will allow him/her to come out of Hellfire and enter Paradise. At the end, Hellfire will be empty and all jinn and mankind will be in Paradise. This happy ending for all is because Allah's Mercy overcomes Allah's Anger. Prophet Muhammad said in one Hadeeth:
“When Allah created the Creation, He wrote in His Book--and He wrote (that) about Himself, and it is placed with Him on the Throne: 'Verily My Mercy overcomes My Anger.'” [BH-1].
The torment of Hellfire is great, severe and painful. Allah described this torment in many verses in the Holy Koran. Here is one verse:
“Surely! Those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment. Truly, Allah is Ever Most Powerful, All-Wise. (56)” [THK: S 4: V 56].
Paradise is the perfect place for a human being where all kinds of good and pure pleasures and joys exist. They will enjoy the perfectly delicious food and drink; they will enjoy marriage and sexual intercourse; they will enjoy precious jewelry and fine clothes and their houses will have the utmost beauty and comfort. Furthermore, they will have whatever they wish or desire. In addition, they will live in Paradise forever and they will not die. Moreover, the supreme and paramount pleasure of Paradise is that people of Paradise will look at the Face of Allah. Allah described different pleasures of Paradise in the Holy Koran:
“Enter you therein in peace and security - this is a Day of eternal life! (34) There they will have all that they desire - and We have more (for them, i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty, All-Majestic [Allah]) (35)” [THK: S 50: V 34-35].
“Some faces that Day shall be Nadirah (shining and radiant). (22) Looking at their Lord (Allah); (23)” [THK: S 75: V 22-23].
Prophet Muhammad said in one Hadeeth: “When those deserving of Paradise would enter Paradise, Allah, the Blessed and the Exalted, would ask: Do you wish Me to give you anything more? They would say: Hast Thou not brightened our faces? Hast Thou not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire? He (the narrator) said: He (Allah) would lift the veil, and of things given to them nothing would he dearer to them than the sight of their Lord (Allah), the Mighty and the Glorious.” [BH-2].
Pillar 6: Believe in the Divine Decree (Destiny or Fate)
A Muslim must believe in the Divine Decree (Destiny or Fate). Everything that happens in the universe happens according to the Will of Allah. Nothing can happen in the universe that is against the Will of Allah or beyond the Knowledge of Allah. Allah has written everything that will happen in the universe until the Day of Judgment, both good and evil. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all things before their creation, as written in the Book of Decrees). (49)” [THK: S 54: V 49].
“Say: "Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Maula (Lord, Helper and Protector)." And in Allah let the believers put their trust. (51)” [THK: S 9: V 51].
Allah allows evil to happen or exist in the universe for certain wisdom that people might know or they might not know. Allah tests people with evil to reveal certain qualities of their souls such as patience in times of calamities and their truthfulness in obeying him in adversity and prosperity.
Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be returned. (35)” [THK: S 21: V 35].
“Alif-Lam-Meem (1) Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested (2) And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test). (3)” [THK: S 29: V 1-3].
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient (155) Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return." (156) They are those on whom (descend) blessings from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones. (157)” [THK: S 2: V 155-157].
The Wisdom of the Test and Useful Similes
Mohammad Azzumurrud had a beautiful conversation with his closest Chinese friends about the wisdom behind the test of this life and the recompense in the Hereafter. Here is a snapshot of the conversation:
Mohammad: The test of this life resembles the story of a king who put one person at a time in a room full of stones and there is only one big shining and radiant diamond in it. The king asked the person to find the diamond and neglect the stones and he gave the person enough time to do so. The person must exit the room with either the diamond or a stone. He/she who finds the diamond and exit the room with it will be rewarded by the king by being granted a generous amount of money for his/her wise superior choice and he/she who fails to find the diamond and exit with a stone will be punished by the king by being flogged some stripes for his/her foolish inferior choice. Who can explicate my simile?
Yueliang: Wise and exalted simile, Mohammad. I truly admire your exceptional intelligence. Allah created people in this life (the room) to find Islam, the only true religion, embrace and follow it (find the diamond). There are myriad other religions and philosophies which are false (the stones). Those who die (exit the room) while being Muslims will be rewarded with Paradise (the monetary reward). Those who die (exit the room) while embracing false religions and philosophies will be punished in Hellfire (the flogging with some stripes). Of course, the simile you proposed is an oversimplification of the true life test which is much more complex. Am I right?
Mohammad: You are absolutely right, Yueliang. I also admire your acute intelligence. You demystified all the elements of my simile successfully. Well done. Every disbeliever (a non-Muslim who rejects to embrace Islam) prefers the inferior (a false religion or philosophy) to the superior (Islam, the only true religion). Allah will punish disbelievers (non-Muslims who reject to embrace Islam) for misusing their minds, intelligence and wisdom in the Hereafter on the Day of Judgment.
Taiyang: Perfect and beautiful simile, Mohammad. I have another explanation.
Mohammad: Go ahead, Taiyang. We are all ears!
Taiyang: The test of this life is essentially about recognizing the miraculous speech of Allah and allying with His Party against His enemies. Allah revealed the Holy Koran which is the miraculous speech of Allah. The Holy Koran cannot but be the speech of Allah. The Holy Koran tells the complete and absolute Truth. The human and jinn devils contradict the Holy Koran with their false speeches that lead people and jinn astray. Those who recognize the speech of Allah and ally with His Party will be rewarded with Paradise in the Hereafter while those who fail to recognize the speech of Allah and follow the false speeches of the human and jinn devils will be punished in Hellfire in the Hereafter.
Mohammad: Excellent explanation, Taiyang. You are greatly smart. As you said, the test of this life is essentially about recognizing your Creator by His Speech (The Holy Koran) and allying with His Party (Muslims) against His enemies (disbelievers [non-Muslims who reject to embrace Islam]) who spread false speeches that contradict the true speech of the Creator. Allah only says the Truth while his enemies say falsehood. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“(Allah) said: "The Truth is, and the Truth I say, (84) That I will fill Hell with you [Iblees (Satan)] and those of them (mankind) that follow you, together." (85)” [THK: S 38: V 84].
“And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies - devils among mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (or by way of deception). If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it, so leave them alone with their fabrications. (112)” [THK: S 6: V 112].
One major distinction between a Muslim and a disbeliever (a non-Muslim who rejects to embrace Islam) is that a Muslim loves the Truth and detests falsehood while a disbeliever loves falsehood and detests the Truth. Allah mentioned the state of disbelievers in the Holy Koran as follows:
“Indeed We have brought the truth (Prophet Muhammad with the Koran), to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth. (78)” [THK: S 43: V 78].
“But those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allah, Islamic Monotheism), for them is destruction, and (Allah) will make their deeds vain. (8) That is because they hate that which Allah has sent down (this Koran and Islamic laws etc.), so He has made their deeds fruitless. (9)” [THK: S 47: V 8-9].
Junjie: A Muslim is a clever goldsmith who can recognize true gold (the True Speech of the Creator) from fool's gold (the false speeches of the enemies of the Creator).
Yueliang: Nice simile. Junjie. We thank Allah who guided us to Islam after we were astray.
Taiyang: All the praises and thanks be to Allah who guided us to Islam after we were astray.
Junjie: Our words cannot thank Allah enough for guiding us to Islam after we were astray.