The core teachings of Islam are built on the concept of total submission to the will of Allah. At the heart of the faith are the “Five Pillars of Islam,” which act as the mandatory framework for a Muslim’s life. These teachings emphasize monotheism, daily discipline, and the pursuit of righteousness through a system of religious laws and works. From a Christian perspective, while these pillars show a deep commitment to God, they represent a path to salvation based on human effort rather than the free gift of grace.
The Five Pillars: The Foundation of Faith
The most well-known core teachings of Islam are the Five Pillars. These are physical and spiritual duties that every Muslim must follow to show their devotion. The first is the Shahada, which is the declaration of faith: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.” By reciting this with sincerity, a person becomes a Muslim. The second is Salat, the requirement to perform five formal prayers each day while facing the city of Mecca.
The other three pillars focus on social and personal sacrifice. Zakat is the practice of giving a portion of one’s wealth (usually 2.5%) to the poor and needy. Sawm refers to fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, where Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset to develop self-control and empathy. Finally, the Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that every able-bodied Muslim is expected to perform at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it.
The Six Articles of Faith
While the Five Pillars describe what a Muslim does, the Six Articles of Faith describe what a Muslim believes. These are the essential doctrines that define the Islamic worldview. First is the belief in the absolute oneness of God (Tawhid). This is followed by a belief in angels, whom God created to carry out his decrees. Third is the belief in God’s revealed books, including the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel—though Muslims believe only the Quran remains uncorrupted.
The fourth article is a belief in the prophets, with Muhammad being the final “seal” of the prophets. Fifth is the belief in the Day of Judgment, where every person will be held accountable for their deeds. Finally, there is the belief in divine decree, or predestination, meaning that God has sovereign control over everything that happens. For a Christian, the tension here lies in the identity of Jesus; Islam views him as a prophet, while the Bible reveals him as the very Son of God who created the world.
The Role of the Quran and Sharia Law
The Quran is the ultimate authority in Islam, believed to be the literal word of God dictated to Muhammad. It’s supplemented by the Hadith, which are records of Muhammad’s sayings and actions. Together, these sources form the basis for Sharia, or Islamic law. Sharia isn’t just a set of religious rules; it’s a comprehensive system that governs every aspect of life, from family inheritance and business deals to personal hygiene and dietary restrictions (halal).
In Islamic teaching, following these laws is how a person expresses their submission to God. Unlike the Bible, which teaches that the Law was meant to point us to our need for a Savior, Islam views the law as a map that a person must follow successfully to earn God’s favor. This focus on “doing” creates a life of discipline, but it lacks the “done” assurance found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
Life After Death and Divine Judgment
Islam teaches that this life is a test for the life to come. On the Day of Judgment, every person’s deeds will be weighed on a scale. If their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds, and if they were faithful in their submission to Allah, they may be granted entrance into Paradise (Jannah), a place of physical and spiritual delight. If their bad deeds outweigh the good, they face the fires of Hell (Jahannam).
However, even with many good deeds, a Muslim has no absolute guarantee of salvation. In Islamic theology, Allah is so sovereign that he may choose to forgive or punish whomever he wishes. This stands in stark contrast to the “blessed assurance” Christians have. The Bible teaches that our “scale” is already broken by sin, but Jesus lived a perfect life in our place. Our entrance into heaven isn’t based on our performance, but on the finished work of Christ.
The Takeaway
The core teachings of Islam center on the Five Pillars and the Six Articles of Faith, creating a religion of rigorous devotion and submission. While there’s much to admire in the discipline of a devout Muslim, the system ultimately relies on human effort to please God. As we look at these teachings, we see the beauty of the Gospel even more clearly. We don’t have to climb a ladder of pillars to reach God; in Jesus, God came down the ladder to reach us.
