The Hadith of Angel Jibril on Iman

The Six Articles of Iman (Faith)

Belief in Angels (Al-Mala’ika)

Belief in Angels is the second article of Iman. Angels are spiritual beings created by Allah from light, and they do not have free will. Their sole purpose is to worship Allah and carry out His commands. They have specific roles, including delivering revelations to the Prophets, recording the deeds of human beings, and carrying out various other duties as directed by Allah.

The Quran mentions the angels in several verses:

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177)
لَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَكُمْ إِلَىٰهِ مُؤْتَٰهِمْ
(Translation)
“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward the East or the West, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets.”

The Quran further emphasizes the important role of angels in the faith system of Islam, affirming that belief in angels is an essential part of a Muslim’s Iman.

Belief in the Divine Books (Al-Kutub)

The third article of Iman is the belief in the Divine Books revealed by Allah. These books were sent to various prophets to guide humanity towards the worship of Allah and the establishment of justice. The major revealed books in Islam include:

• The Qur’an – Revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
• The Torah (Tawrat) – Revealed to Prophet Musa (Moses).
• The Psalms (Zabur) – Revealed to Prophet Dawood (David).
• The Gospel (Injeel) – Revealed to Prophet Isa (Jesus).
• The Scrolls (Suhuf) – Revealed to Prophets Ibrahim (Abraham) and other earlier prophets.

The Quran emphasizes the significance of these books:

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:4)
وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ
(Translation)
“And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you.”

Belief in all the books sent by Allah is essential for completing Iman. A Muslim must acknowledge that these books, although they were revealed in different eras, all contain the same message of worshiping Allah alone and following His guidance.

Belief in the Prophets and Messengers (Al-Rusul)

The fourth article of Iman involves belief in the Prophets and Messengers of Allah. Allah sent prophets to all nations throughout history to guide them and remind them of the oneness of Allah. Each prophet was a human being, chosen by Allah, who conveyed His message to their people.

The final and seal of the prophets is Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). However, Muslims believe in all the prophets, from Adam to Muhammad, and acknowledge the messages they brought to their respective communities. The Quran affirms the role of prophets and messengers in guiding humanity:

Surah Al-Ahzab (33:40)
مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌۭ أَبَاءٓ أَحَدٍۢ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّينَ
(Translation)
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.”

A Muslim must believe in all the prophets, recognizing that they were the conveyors of divine guidance to mankind. This belief strengthens the foundation of Iman and fosters a deep connection to Allah’s guidance.

Belief in the Last Day (Yawm al-Qiyamah)

The fifth article of Iman is the belief in the Last Day or the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah). This belief encompasses the understanding that this world is temporary, and that after death, all people will be resurrected for judgment by Allah. On this day, everyone will be held accountable for their deeds. Those who believed in Allah and followed His guidance will be rewarded with eternal paradise, while those who rejected faith and disobeyed Allah will face punishment in Hell.

The Quran speaks about the Last Day:

Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:1-2)
لَا أُقْسِمُ بِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ١ وَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالنَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَةِ
(Translation)
“I swear by the Day of Resurrection, and I swear by the reproaching soul.”

Belief in the Last Day affects how a Muslim lives their life today, as it reminds them that their actions in this life will have consequences in the hereafter.

Belief in Qadar (Divine Predestination)

The sixth article of Iman is the belief in Qadar, or divine predestination. This belief teaches that everything in the universe happens according to the will and decree of Allah. This includes both the good and the bad. While humans are given free will to make choices, everything that happens in their lives, from the smallest event to the largest, is ultimately part of Allah’s divine plan.

The Quran mentions Qadar as follows:

Surah Al-Qamar (54:49)
إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْءٍۢ خَلَقْنَاهُ بِقَدَرٍۢ
(Translation)
“Indeed, all things We created with predestination.”

The belief in Qadar instills a sense of trust in Allah’s plan and a sense of peace, knowing that everything that happens is part of a greater divine wisdom.

Conclusion

The Hadith of Angel Jibril encapsulates the fundamental aspects of Iman, outlining the six core beliefs every Muslim must adhere to: belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and Qadar (divine predestination). These beliefs form the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and guide their actions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Each of the six articles of Iman provides a complete framework for a Muslim’s understanding of their relationship with Allah, the world around them, and their ultimate purpose in life. By adhering to these beliefs, a Muslim can strengthen their Iman and develop a closer connection to Allah.

Incorporating these core beliefs into daily life leads to a life of righteousness, peace, and mindfulness of the hereafter. Understanding the Hadith of Angel Jibril is not just about theoretical knowledge but applying these principles in practical ways to cultivate a life of piety and devotion to Allah.