he must testify that there is no god but God and that I am God’s messenger whom He sent with the truth ; he must believe in death and in the resurrection after death; and he must believe in the divine decree." Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.
The Pillars of Faith
This noble hadith from Mishkat al-Masabih 104 outlines the fundamental pillars of Islamic faith as transmitted by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes the essential beliefs that constitute true faith in Islam.
Testimony of Faith (Shahadah)
"There is no god but God" constitutes the foundation of Islamic monotheism (Tawhid), rejecting all false deities and affirming Allah's exclusive right to worship.
"I am God's messenger whom He sent with the truth" confirms the prophethood of Muhammad and the divine origin of his message, establishing the necessity of following his guidance.
Belief in the Hereafter
Faith in death encompasses belief in the transitional nature of this worldly life and the accountability that follows in the grave.
Belief in resurrection after death affirms the ultimate reality of the Day of Judgment when all creation will be brought to account for their deeds.
Divine Decree (Al-Qadr)
Belief in divine decree encompasses faith in Allah's eternal knowledge, His pre-ordainment of all matters, His creative will, and His comprehensive recording of all that shall occur.
This pillar balances human responsibility with divine omnipotence, requiring believers to accept both Allah's decree and their own accountability for choices.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars emphasize that these beliefs are interconnected - true monotheism necessitates belief in prophethood, which leads to acceptance of the hereafter and divine decree.
The comprehensive nature of this hadith demonstrates that faith is not merely verbal declaration but encompasses belief in the heart and acceptance of all fundamental Islamic doctrines.