Foundations of Faith (Usul al-Din)
Fundamentals of Islam
In the Name of Allah (SWT), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
This knowledge strengthens the foundation of our faith. May Allah (SWT) grant us the tawfīq to learn and act upon it.
Existence of Allah (SWT)
Though unseen, Allah (SWT) undoubtedly exists. The signs of His creation—ourselves, the universe, and everything within it—are more than enough to bear witness. Just as tire tracks on snowy roads prove a car has passed, we instinctively understand that every effect must have a cause. Nothing can come into being without a creator. Therefore, everything—from simple toys to complex machinery—is ultimately made by Allah (SWT), who granted us intelligence, energy, and materials.
As Imam ‘Ali (AS) said, knowing oneself leads to knowing Allah. Imam Ja‘far al-Ṣādiq (AS) once told an atheist philosopher that even statistically, faith in Allah (SWT) is the safest and wisest course—both in this world and in the hereafter. Denial carries an unthinkable risk.
Tawheed (Oneness of Allah)
The very word Allah is a fusion of Al + Ilāh, meaning The One and Only Deity. Unlike the English word "God," which can be plural, gendered, or lowercase, Allah is unique and inseparable from the concept of Oneness.
We cannot fully comprehend Allah’s (SWT) essence or attributes, as He is beyond human perception. Yet, in His mercy, He made Himself known through the Nūr (light) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and from that Nūr, He created the Fourteen Ma‘ṣūmīn (AS)—the infallible guides. They are the medium through whom all Divine Knowledge was revealed, and they were appointed to guide all humanity and jinn.
Key reflections on Tawheed:
Allah (SWT) created everything in pairs. Spiritually, the Prophet (SAW) and Imam ‘Ali (AS) are a pair—highlighting our mutual dependence and our total reliance on Allah (SWT).
Had there been multiple gods, there would have been chaos over power, creation, and control. The precision of natural laws—sunrise and sunset, seasonal cycles—testifies to One Supreme Creator.
The attributes (ṣifāt) of Allah (SWT)—All-Knowing, All-Powerful, All-Merciful—are perfectly reflected (maẓhar) in the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). They taught us that fear of Allah restrains sin, while love for Allah gives strength and hope. Hence, Allah (SWT) has commanded us not only to obey Him, but also to love and obey the Ahl al-Bayt (AS).
Authenticity of the Qur’an
The Qur’an is the final, unaltered Revelation of Allah (SWT), following earlier Books like the Zabūr, Tawrah, and Injīl—revealed to Prophets Dāwūd, Mūsā, and ‘Īsā (AS), respectively. Muslims are required to believe in all revealed scriptures and prophets (124,000 in total), but the Qur’an holds a unique position:
Preserved by Divine Will: Allah (SWT) ensured its protection through the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). While earlier scriptures suffered distortion—as seen in outdated science and contradictions—the Qur’an remains unchanged.
Universal and Timeless: Unlike previous revelations limited by time or people, the Qur’an is for all humanity, forever. Its relevance will never expire, as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the Seal of Prophets.
Living Miracle: The Qur’an, along with the presence of the 12th Imam (AJ), stands as the eternal proof of the Prophet’s (SAW) Messengership.
Proofs of Qur’anic Authenticity:
Scientific Miracles
Over 1400 years ago, the Qur’an described:
Human embryonic development.
Cosmic realities and motion of celestial bodies.
The atomic structure—motion within atoms through ions—all discovered much later by modern science.
Numerical and Linguistic Precision
The Qur’an’s internal mathematical harmony is unmatched:
Yawm (day) appears 365 times
Month appears 12 times
Man and woman each appear 11 times
Water is mentioned 32 times and Earth 13 times, corresponding to the real-world water-to-land ratio of ~71% to 29%.
Several chapters follow an intricate pattern based on the number 19, including the basmalah (which contains 19 Arabic letters).
Such precision, unmatched even by supercomputers, is beyond human capability.
Open Challenge to Mankind
Allah (SWT) declares in the Qur’an:
“If you think this Book is not from Allah, then bring a Surah like it—go ahead, even with all your helpers.”
No one—not even enemies of Islam—has ever met this challenge. Despite centuries of opposition, the Qur’an remains untouched, unchallenged, and undefeated.
May Allah (SWT) increase our love for the Qur’an, our awe of His Oneness, and our obedience to the path of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS).