The pillars of Faith, Iman,
enumerated in many verses of the Qur'an and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad,
peace be upon him, are belief in God, in God's Angels, His Books, His
Messengers, in the Hereafter and in Qadar (Destiny). These are familiar terms,
but the non-Muslim reader would be mistaken if he thought that the Islamic
concepts designated by them are the same as those of other religions and
philosophies. It is hoped that the following exposition, which is itself made in
the light of the Qur'an and the sayings of the Prophet, will make this point
clear. It will also make clear the fact that the Islamic concept of faith itself
is, in many ways, different from the popular Western one. In the West faith is
usually contrasted to reason and knowledge. But according to the Qur'an, true
faith is that which is based on knowledge and supported by argument. Any belief
which is not so based and supported is considered by the Qur'an to be mere
caprice and whim which a thinking person must avoid. True faith can therefore be
gained through reflection and the acquisition of knowledge, and not by blind and
irrational commitment. A person armed with such an enlightened faith can enter
with great confidence into rational discussion with people who do not share his
beliefs with the hope of showing them their mistakes and weaknesses and winning
them over to the truth. If this paper helps to take the reader a step in that
direction it will have achieved its purpose, and all praise is due to God.
