The Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam and Five Roots of Usul Ad-Din in Shi’a Islam

In Islam, both Sunni and Shia traditions have core beliefs that serve as the foundation of their faith. Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam, while Shia Islam is the second-largest and follows a different line of succession for leadership.

Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam

1. Tawhid (Oneness of God):

Tawhid is the central belief in Islam, emphasising the absolute oneness and unity of Allah. It asserts that there is no god but Allah, and He is unique in His essence, attributes, and actions. Muslims believe in the indivisibility and incomparability of God and reject any form of polytheism or associating partners with Allah. Tawhid is the foundation of Islamic monotheism and forms the basis for all other aspects of faith.

2. Prophethood (Nubuwwah):

Prophethood is the belief in the divine messengers sent by Allah to guide humanity. Muslims believe in all the prophets mentioned in the Quran, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, among others. The final and seal of the prophets is Prophet Muhammad, who received the final revelation, the Quran. Prophets are considered the intermediaries between God and humans, delivering divine guidance and teachings for the betterment of society.

3. Angels (Mala'ika):

Muslims believe in the existence of angels as spiritual beings created by Allah with specific tasks and functions. Angels are made of light and are free from human weaknesses. They carry out various duties, such as conveying Allah's messages to prophets, recording human deeds, guarding individuals, and praising and worshipping Allah. Some well-known angels include Gabriel (Jibril), who brought revelations to the prophets, and Michael (Mikail), who oversees sustenance and rain.

4. Holy Books (Kutub):

Muslims believe in the divine books revealed by Allah to guide humanity. These include the Torah revealed to Moses, the Psalms revealed to David, the Gospel revealed to Jesus, and the Quran, the final and preserved revelation in Islam. The Quran is considered the literal word of Allah, revealed to Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. Muslims regard it as the ultimate source of guidance and a complete and unaltered revelation.

5. Day of Judgment (Qiyamah):

The belief in the Day of Judgment is integral to Islam. Muslims believe that on this day, all individuals will be resurrected, and their deeds will be judged by Allah. The concept of accountability and reckoning is central to the idea of the Hereafter. The righteous will be rewarded with paradise (Jannah), while those who have engaged in evil deeds without repentance may face punishment in Hell (Jahannam). The Day of Judgment serves as a reminder of the transient nature of this world and the importance of leading a righteous life.

6. Divine Decree (Qadr):

Divine Decree, also known as predestination, is the belief that Allah has full knowledge and control over everything that happens in the universe. Muslims believe that everything occurs according to Allah's divine plan and wisdom. While humans possess free will and are responsible for their actions, Allah's knowledge encompasses past, present, and future. The concept of Qadr provides comfort to believers, knowing that Allah's wisdom governs all aspects of their lives.

Five Roots of Usul ad-Din in Shia Islam

1. Tawhid (Oneness of God):

The concept of Tawhid in Shia Islam is similar to Sunni Islam, emphasising the absolute oneness and uniqueness of Allah.

2. Adl (Justice of God):

The belief in the justice of God (Adl) is one of the distinguishing roots in Shia theologyThe study of religious belief, practice, and doctrine.. It highlights that Allah is just and does not oppress anyone. This principle is particularly significant in the contextA discrete unit of archaeological evidence, such as a layer of soil, a structure, or a feature, that can be recorded and interpreted. of the Imamate in Shia Islam, where the rightful leaders (Imams) are considered divinely chosen and infallible, possessing divine knowledge.

3. Nubuwwah (Prophethood):

Shia Muslims share the belief in the divine guidance of all the prophets, with special emphasis on the Twelve Imams. Shia tradition holds that the Imams are appointed by divine decree and are infallible in matters of faith and morality. They are believed to possess divine knowledge and serve as guides for the Muslim community.

4. Imamate (Leadership):

The concept of Imamate is central to Shia Islam and represents one of its key differences from Sunni Islam. Shia Muslims believe in the appointment of specific individuals (the Twelve Imams) as divinely chosen leaders after Prophet Muhammad. These Imams are considered the spiritual and temporal leaders of the Muslim community and are believed to be infallible in their judgments and actions.

5. Mi'ad (Day of Resurrection):

Similar to Sunni Islam, Shia Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment and the accountability of deeds in the Hereafter.

Key Similarities and Differences:

• Both Sunni and Shia Islam share the core beliefs in Tawhid, Prophethood, Angels, Holy Books, and the Day of Judgment. These are fundamental tenets of Islam that are agreed upon by both traditions.
• The main difference lies in the concept of Imamate. Sunni Islam does not believe in the infallible leadership of specific individuals after the Prophet Muhammad, while Shia Islam believes in the divine appointment and infallibility of the Twelve Imams.
• Additionally, the Sunni articles of faith do not include a specific principle on the justice of God, while Shia Islam includes Adl as one of the roots of Usul ad-Din, underscoring the importance of divine justice in their theology.

Despite these differences, both Sunni and Shia Muslims share a deep commitment to the core principles of Islam and hold a shared reverence for Allah, Prophet Muhammad, and the other prophets of Islam.