Ithikad

Ithikad is a term of Arabic origin that translates to "belief" or "faith" in English. Within Islamic theology, it refers to the set of core tenets that a Muslim must hold to be considered a true believer. These fundamental beliefs are generally enumerated as six articles of faith.

The first article of Ithikad is the belief in Allah, the one God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, who is absolutely unique and has no partners. The second is the belief in His angels, unseen beings who serve Allah and carry out His commands. The third article is the belief in His divine books, which include scriptures revealed to prophets such as the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran, with the Quran being the final and complete revelation.

The fourth article of Ithikad is the belief in His messengers, prophets sent by Allah to guide humanity, with Muhammad being the final prophet. The fifth is the belief in the Day of Judgment, a future event when all humanity will be resurrected and judged by Allah based on their deeds. The sixth and final article is the belief in divine decree, often referred to as qadar, which asserts that everything that happens is by Allah's knowledge and will, though this does not negate human free will and responsibility for their actions. Adherence to these six pillars of Ithikad is considered essential for Muslims to properly practice their faith.