These 6 basic beliefs shape the Islamic way of life
By Naciima Mohamed
What exactly do Muslims believe? What are other aspects of the faith beyond the five pillars?
Islamic spirituality is based on several fundamental ideas that help people on their path to a more meaningful, morally-driven life and a closer relationship with Allah (“God”). Islamic spirituality places a strong emphasis on bettering the inner self and then using worship and moral behavior to bring about this transformation on the outer self daily.
These six principles embody a more comprehensive framework within Islam and are not specific to any one sect or tradition.
1. Tawhid (Oneness) of God: Islam’s core spiritual belief is the idea that God is one (Tawhid). This principle emphasizes that God is the one Creator, Sustainer, and ultimate source of all existence, underscoring the monotheistic core of Islam. For Muslims, the core of their faith and spiritual path is the understanding of God’s oneness.
2. Ihsan (Excellence in Worship): Ihsan is the concept of aiming for perfection in one’s devotion to God and in worship. It entails doing acts of worship with the utmost sincerity and commitment rather than just performing them. A person is encouraged to approach their prayers, supplications, and other acts of worship with a sincere and wholehearted dedication. Ihsan also advises believers to worship as if they are in the direct presence of God. Recognizing that this direct visual encounter is not possible, it is important to keep the awareness that God sees us.
3. Tazkiyah (Purification of the Self): Tazkiyah is the active development of virtues like humility, charity, compassion, and love while focusing on the purification of the spirit and heart from vices like arrogance, greed, hatred, and selfishness. The pursuit of moral and ethical excellence and self-improvement are considered lifetime endeavors.
4. Dhikr: The practice of remembering and mentioning God through various forms of prayer and supplication, is known as Dhikr. It involves regular recitation of certain phrases or divine names, such as “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest) and “Subhanallah” (Glory be to God). One way to keep God at the forefront of one’s consciousness throughout the day is to practice Dhikr.
5. Tawba (Repentance): An essential idea in Islamic spirituality is repentance. It involves owning up to one’s errors and sins, expressing regret for wrongdoings, asking God for forgiveness, and sincerely committing to not commit the same sins again. Tawba is a crucial element of spiritual development because it serves as a constant reminder to people of their innate imperfection and need for forgiveness and mercy from God.
6. Love for God and His Creation: A recurrent theme in Islamic spirituality is love for God and His creation. It involves loving God and treating all of God’s creation, including other people, animals, and the environment, with love, compassion, and kindness. This love is closely related to the idea of excellence in moral behavior and is seen as a manifestation of one’s spiritual development.
Islamic spirituality is a broad and intricate tradition that encourages moral behavior and inward development in addition to strengthening a person’s relationship with God. The principles presented here offer a thorough framework that enables people to comprehend and successfully navigate their spiritual journey within the larger framework of the Islamic faith.
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