The Three Main Dimensions of Religion in Islam.

[Abu Habiba]

As-Salaam alaikum,

In the universal religion of Islam, there are 3 dimensions that encompass the outward and inward expressions of the belief system. These 3 dimensions are:--

(1) Islam:-- This is based on Tawheed (belief in the Oneness and Uniqueness of Allah); five daily prayers, offering of Zakkat (almsgiving), fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan, and performing pilgrimage to Makkah. These are known as the 5 pillars of Islam.... the building blocks of the domain of knowledge, which later came to be called Islamic Jurisprudence or Shari'ah.

(2) Imaan (faith):--- is the second dimension. This is an expression of a specific conviction in the belief in Allah (God), His Messengers, His angels, the Last Day of Judgement, His Books and the good and evil fate as Ordained by Allah. These form the core of Islamic Theology, which was elaborated by theologians.

The 2 dimensions above (Islam and Imaan) both teach us that religious practice and belief system are interrelated and are incomplete without each other.

(3) The third dimension is Ihsan, which in the words of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, means to:--

              "Worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you see Him not, yet He sees you.''

 

Ihsan reminds us, Muslims, that we are always in the Presence of Allah and that one should consider this Presence in all his/her thoughts and actions. Thus Ihsan adds spirituality to the religion.