It is amazing how widespread Islam is around the world, but also how little most people know about it. It does have its own reputation, but that only tells part of the story. Reputations are generalizations that tend to be rather shallow. They may reveal some of the “what” about a faith, but not much about the “why.”

This article is part three of a five part series to provide a more in-depth understanding. Here is what will be covered in each of the installments. Today’s article shares Islam’s worldview beliefs.

What You Need to Know About Islam
Islam’s Worldview Beliefs

Introduction
A person’s worldview is the absolute most basic set of beliefs they hold. They are so basic, in fact, that unless a person has deliberately studied the topic, they are totally unconscious. It is the set of beliefs a person so fundamentally believes to be true, that they are just assumed without any consideration that they might not be true. They are considered true to the extent that they actually define reality for the individual, and anything that contradicts it is considered fantasy. It literally informs everything a person thinks and does.

Every person has a set of worldview beliefs that they assume to be true, and those who believe in Islam are no exception. In this article, we are going to look at Islam’s worldview beliefs in order to understand how Muslims see the nature of reality. A person’s worldview is defined by what they believe about: 1) the nature of ultimate reality, 2) the nature of a human being, and 3) the ultimate one can achieve in life (salvation).

Worldview Beliefs

Ultimate Reality – The Structure of Eternal and Material Reality

Islam asserts that there is only one God and his name is Allah. Concerning Allah’s interaction with man, he is considered to be so transcendent that he does not interact personally with humanity in any way. Islam also teaches a rigid doctrine of predestination, and that both evil and good come from him. Whatever Allah chooses is considered right, and this can change in various situations.

Islam presents a multi-layered view of reality divided into a seen and the unseen part. The unseen world contains Allah, angels, spirits, heavens, hell, the afterlife, divine decrees, and metaphysical realms. The unseen realm, then, is divided into that which is uncreated and that which is created.

1. The Most Fundamental Level of Reality: Uncreated – Allah Alone

At the highest level of being is Allah. He is the only uncreated being and is absolutely distinct from his creation. He is eternal, uncaused, self-sufficient, without beginning or end, the creator of everything else, and the sustainer of all existence.

The most defining feature of Allah is his absolute, indivisible oneness. Allah is one. He has no partners, equals, offspring, or parents, and nothing in creation resembles him. This is the cornerstone of Islamic theology. Any belief that compromises divine oneness (e.g., polytheism, incarnation, or Trinitarian formulations) is rejected. He is not a part of creation, is not, and has never been, incarnate, and is not composed of parts (ie, not a Trinity). Thus, the Christian idea of God as a Trinity is rejected outright as polytheism, and the belief that Jesus was God incarnate is considered blasphemy. His speech (the Qur’an) is also considered uncreated.

While Allah is utterly transcendent, he is also understood to be near. Islam emphasizes these two seemingly opposite truths simultaneously. He is transcendent in that he is above creation and not bound by time, space, or physical form, but is also immanent in that he is near to his servants as he hears prayers, knows thoughts, and responds to those who call on him.

Islam is a deterministic belief system in that Allah is considered to be absolutely sovereign and determines everything that happens in the world. He is believed to be the author of every action, word, and thought, which includes also being the author of evil. He has predetermined everything that will ever occur in time. As such, the phrase “if Allah wills” is a common expression as individual Muslims deal with life’s various issues.

Islam is also fatalistic. It teaches that while human beings possess responsibility and moral accountability, Allah’s decrees encompass all events. He is understood to be sovereign over everything, and nothing happens apart from his decree. Muslims believe that Allah leads astray those he pleases, and saves who he pleases – and all this is determined in advance.

There are 99 Names (Attributes) of Allah, and Islam emphasizes that while his essence is unknowable, his attributes are knowable through revelation. Some of his key attributes include various properties of majesty, mercy, and goodness.

Allah is also considered morally perfect. Some of his key moral qualities include that he is just, wise, truthful, patient, generous, and peace.

Islam teaches there is a master-servant relationship between Allah and human beings (humans are servants, or slaves, of Allah. Thus, the proper posture before Allah is submission, worship, obedience, and fear. Allah loves the ones who obey him and repent, but He is also “severe in punishment” toward those who do not.

Muslims believe the Qur’an is the uncreated, literal speech of Allah. He reveals his will through prophets (with Muhammad being the final and greatest prophet), scripture (Qur’an), and angels – especially Gabriel.

Allah is also the ultimate judge. A major part of Islamic theology concerns the Final Judgment. Regarding that, Allah resurrects all people, judges every deed, word, and intention, rewards with Paradise or punishes with Hell, is perfectly just (in that no wrong will be overlooked), and merciful (that is, he can override justice for believers at his own discretion).

Implications of Islamic beliefs about Allah:

The result of this understanding of Allah is a belief system where love is de-emphasized. There is no sense of intimacy with him. In fact, he is considered to be so transcendent that he literally has no personal interaction with humanity.

This also has an effect on how human beings treat one another. Since Allah does not love those who transgress against him, human beings also need show no love toward them. The outward expression of that mindset, then, is that they hate infidels (non-Muslims) and easily disown children who convert out of Islam.

This also leads to insecurity concerning one’s salvation. Since it is impossible to know for sure whether or not one has been chosen by Allah for heaven, devout Muslims make every effort to please him in order to go to heaven. At the same time, they recognize that their ultimate fate is strictly in the hands.

2. Created Realities

While Allah is the only uncreated reality, there are numerous created realities. Those listed here are sequenced as often described by classical scholars. Since the Qur’an does not provide a chronological list, this one is based on the dominant theological synthesis.

a) The Pen
Islam teaches that creation is guided by divine decree, and there are two key spiritual objects associated with his decrees – the Pen and the Tablet. The Pen was the first created thing according to many hadiths. Allah commanded the Pen to write everything that will occur until the Day of Judgment in the Preserved Tablet.

b) The Preserved Tablet
The second key metaphysical object Allah created was the Tablet. This holds Allah’s complete decree. It contains everything that will happen, and was written before creation. It is not symbolic, but is an objectively real metaphysical object on which is written all events, destinies, and knowledge of creation as inscribed by the Pen.

c. The Throne
Allah is established above the throne, but it is considered the greatest (largest, highest) created object of creation. It is an objectively real, immense throne carried by angels. It is not a seat for Allah to sit in, as he neither “needs” nor sits on it. It is, rather, a cosmic symbol of his majesty and sovereignty. It is described as being above the heavens (above all creation) and symbolizes his absolute authority and sovereignty over all creation. It serves as the uppermost boundary of created reality – a metaphysical “ceiling” of the universe.

d. The Water
Many hadiths state creation existed upon water before the heavens and the earth were fashioned. It is a primordial substance from which further creation proceeded.

e. The Footstool
The Footstool is a created reality beneath the Throne. It is a distinct metaphysical reality that is closely related to the Throne, but has its own characteristics and functions. It represents divine knowledge and authority. It is often viewed as beneath the Throne and smaller, yet still enormous and mysterious. It is said to either contain the heavens and earth within its scope, or extends over them as it supports and sustains the heavens and earth in creation.

f. The Seven Heavens
The Seven Heavens are layered realms, or cosmic tiers, that are stacked above one another as layers of existence leading up to the Throne of Allah. They are arranged above the earth but below the Throne and the Footstool. They demonstrate the order, majesty, and perfection of creation. Humans cannot perceive them except through revelation or spiritual insight. They are real created realms, not just symbolic. Each heaven has inhabitants, such as angels, and serves as a stage in the cosmic hierarchy. The lowest heaven contains stars and planetary bodies.

g. The Earth(s)
Some interpretations hold there are seven “earths” or layers beneath ours, but only the surface world is known to us. Earth is the platform for human life and testing.

h. The Angels
Angels, in Islam, are purely spiritual beings created from light. They are understood to be Allah’s messengers and intermediaries. It is believed that, as heavenly beings, they don’t have any earthly needs, so they don’t have to deal with the various struggles and temptations that humans face. In order to interact with human beings on earth, they are able to appear in human form. In fact, this is the way they appear when interacting with human beings to bring messages from Allah. Their job is to carry the Throne, manage the cosmos, and record the deeds of humans. They are obedient beings with specialized functions.

  • There are a number of angels that are named in the Qur’an. The following are some of the main ones.
  • Jibra’il (Gabriel) – The angel of revelation. This is the angel that dictated the Koran to Muhammad.
  • Mikail (Michael) – The angel that provides nourishment for bodies and souls, and who brings rain and thunder to Earth.
  • Israfil (Raphael) – The angel that will blow the trumpet to signal judgment at the end of time.
  • Azrael (Azrael) – The angel of death.
  • Hafaza – The Guardian Angel.
  • Kiraman Katibin – Two of these angels are assigned to every human. One writes down a person’s good deeds, and the other one’s evil deeds.
  • Mu’aqqibat – These angels are the Protectors who keep people from facing death until it is their appointed time to die.
  • Jundullah – These are the angels that helped Muhammad on the battlefield.
  • Ridwan – The keeper of Paradise.
  • Maalik – The chief of the angels who govern Hell.

i. The Jinn
The Jinn were created from smokeless fire. They are invisible supernatural beings created by Allah, and live in a parallel, separate, hidden world from humans. They have free will, like humans, and are capable of belief or disbelief. Satan (Iblīs) is of the jinn. They are also known for their supernatural abilities, such as shapeshifting and interacting with the physical world. Jinn are not inherently evil, and while some are malicious, many are believed to be devout Muslims who follow Allah’s guidance.

j. Paradise and Hell
Both of these are objectively real and permanent, and have already been created – though they are currently unseen, and their final inhabitants will only enter after the judgment. There will ultimately be a physical resurrection of all humans and jinn. At the resurrection, Allah will judge each soul based on their deeds, faith, and his mercy.

Paradise is a place of eternal bliss for believers. Hell is a place of punishment for unbelievers and sinful beings – as Allah wills. Paradise contains seven levels where there will be both physical and spiritual pleasures. It is a place “near” Allah, though it is not union with him. There are also multiple levels of Hell. It is temporary for sinful believers, but eternal for unbelievers.

There is also an Intermediate Realm (Barzakh) between a person’s death and resurrection. It is an invisible, spiritual world parallel to but inaccessible to the earthly realm. Souls dwell there after death and before the Day of Judgment. In Barzakh, some experience peace while others are punished. It is not, however, the final state.

k. Adam and Humankind
Adam was created from clay as the first human, and humanity was placed on earth to be Allah’s vice-regents and to be tested. Humans uniquely bear moral responsibility and free choice.

Prophets, in Islam, were human messengers sent by Allah to bring his message to humanity. Knowledge of the prophets is a key article of faith for Muslims, and are specifically mentioned in the Qur’an.

Most of Islam’s prophets come from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, though often the names have been altered. The one prophet that is unique to Islam is Muhammad, who is considered the “last of the Prophets.” It was to him that the Qur’an was revealed as divine revelation.

Muslims also believe that every prophet in Islam preached the same basic Islamic beliefs – the Oneness of Allah, proper worship of him, avoidance of idolatry and sin, belief in the Day of Judgment, life after death, charity, prayer, pilgrimage, and fasting. They believe that each prophet came to preach Islam at different times in history, and that some prophesied about the coming of Muhammad. They consider Islam the “religion of Abraham,” and believe the Twelve Tribes of Israel to have been Muslim. Islam’s main prophets include:

Aaron
Abraham
Adam
David
Dhul-Kifl (probably Ezekiel)
Elijah
Elisha
Hud (possibly Eber of the Old Testament – Gen. 10:24; 11:14-17)
Idris (probably Enoch of the Old Testament)
Isaac
Ishmael
Jacob
Jesus
Job
John the Baptist
Jonah
Joseph
Lot
Moses
Muhammad
Noah
Saleh (possibly Salah/Shelah of the Old Testament – Gen. 10:24; 11:14-15)
Shuaib (probably Jethro of the Old Testament)
Solomon
Zechariah

Human Beings

Human beings, in Islam, are considered to be special creations of Allah, though there is no personal interaction between human beings and him. Man is not understood to be sinful by nature, only by act. Thus, unless and until an individual performs acts that are contrary to Allah’s revelation, he is sinless. As such, human beings have no need to be saved from sin, only to act correctly.

Islam teaches that humans were created directly by Allah from clay/dust/soil. He then breathed into man his spirit – which signified honor and a unique status among creatures. Eve was created from Adam, though the Qur’an does not specify the rib imagery used in Genesis.

Humans are understood to be composite beings consisting of body (from the earth), spirit (given by Allah, though its exact nature is mysterious), and self/soul (the seat of desire, personality, and moral tendency). Islam does make a distinction between spirit and self, though the terms do sometimes overlap.

They also consider that every human is born with an innate natural inclination to know, worship, and submit to the one God. Human nature is not sinful, but is also not neutral. Humans are good by nature, but are vulnerable to corruption. Thus, they begin life spiritually clean, but can become unclean by wrong actions in life.

Concerning human status in relation to Allah, they are considered his vice-regents, and are appointed as his representatives (stewards) on earth. This gives human beings dignity, responsibility, moral accountability, and a limited free will. That is, humans choose their life’s course freely. Still, all events occur by Allah’s decree. Thus, Islam rejects total determinism as well as total libertarian free will. Instead, humans possess enough choice to be responsible, yet Allah’s sovereignty remains complete.

Humanity’s purpose in this life is to worship Allah. This includes ritual acts such as prayer, fasting, charity, right ethical behavior, and submission in all areas of life.

Islam affirms that Adam sinned, but does not adopt the biblical doctrine of original sin. In Islam,
Adam’s sin was forgiven, so no inherited sinful nature was passed on to his descendants. Humanity is born morally capable, so there is no original sin, so humans are responsible only for their own sins. Each person begins life pure, and only acquires sin by wrong actions in life.

The Ultimate One Can Achieve in Life (Salvation)

In Islam, salvation is understood as entering Paradise by the mercy of Allah. It is granted to those who believe in him and live in obedience to his guidance. There is no concept of inherited sin, no need for a mediator, and no sacrificial work of a savior. Rather, salvation is rooted in monotheism, repentance, righteous deeds, and Allah’s mercy.

Correct actions, in Islam, are defined by the Qur’an. As a person goes through life, Allah keeps track of his or her right and wrong acts. At death, each person will stand before him and be judged for their deeds. The good and bad deeds are weighed in a balance, and those with greater good than bad may enter heaven.

Even so, there is no guarantee of salvation. It is only as “Allah wills.” The only exceptions are martyrs and, according to some, infants. The good deeds of Islamic salvation are defined by the Five Doctrines and the Five pillars. Without these, good works “don’t count” for salvation in the eternal sense.

The Five Doctrines:
1. Allah is the one true God.
2. Allah has sent many prophets to guide men. The Qur’an mentions 28 of these, most of whom are found in the Old and New Testaments. Jesus was considered to be a sinless prophet, but Muhammad was the last and greatest.
3. The Qur’an is the most important of four inspired books. The other three are the Tauret (the Pentateuch), the Zabur (Psalms), and the Injil (Evangel) of Jesus. [Note: The Injil is understood to be the sacred scripture Allah revealed to the Prophet Jesus. It is considered divine guidance, similar to the Torah and Psalms, but Muslims believe its original text was altered over time (though remnants of the original message survive in them). Thus, it is different from the Christian New Testament, which they see as later human accounts.]
4. There exist many intermediary beings (angels). There are also fallen angels (demons).
5. There will be a day of judgment and a resurrection. Each person’s deeds in physical life will be weighed in a balance to determine his or her eternal destiny in heaven or hell. Those with more good than bad will go to heaven, and those with more bad than good will go to hell. Heaven is a place of sensuous delight and gratification. Hell is a place of everlasting fire.

The Five Pillars:
1. Recitation of Islam’s creed (the Shahadah) – “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.”
2. The practice of prayer five times a day facing Mecca (Salat).
3. The practice of almsgiving (Zakat).
4. The purification of fasting during the daylight hours in the month of Ramadan (Sawm).
5. The pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a person’s lifetime for all who are able (Hajj).

Islam teaches that humans are born pure, without original sin. However, they are weak, forgetful, and prone to sin. That said, sin is a personal act, not something inherited from Adam. In fact, Adam himself sinned, repented, and was forgiven. So humans do not need redemption, only guidance and forgiveness.

Salvation is achieved through faith, righteous deeds, and Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. So salvation is ultimately by Allah’s mercy, but mercy is given to those who submit to him.

Faith is associated with particular beliefs. To receive salvation people must believe in Allah (the one God), angels, the prophets (Adam through Muhammad; Muhammad being the final and most important prophet), the revealed books (Torah, Psalms, Gospel [Ingil], Qur’an), the Day of Judgment, and Allah’s divine decree (predestination – the belief that Allah’s eternal will governs everything – even though humans are still responsible for their choices).

The single most important issue in Islamic salvation is belief in the oneness of Allah. This means that Allah alone is Creator and Lord. Only Allah deserves worship, and there are no partners, intercessors, or incarnations of Allah. Associating partners with Allah (Shirk ) is considered the one sin that, if not repented of before death, Allah will not forgive.

Those who ultimately receive salvation by faith and righteous deeds get to enter paradise. Some sinful believers may spend some time in hell, but eventually will be removed through Allah’s mercy and intercession. Unbelievers, however, who reject Allah and die in unbelief, remain in hell eternally.

Even the righteous do not “earn” salvation. Deeds do not purchase heaven, they only demonstrate faith. Salvation comes only by divine mercy.

The Islamic belief about the end of history centers around the “Day of Resurrection” or “Day of Judgment.” The Day of Resurrection is one of the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam, and one of the seven in Shia Islam. According to the Qur’an, this will be a time when all life will be annihilated followed by a resurrection and judgment by Allah. The Qur’an does not teach when the end will come, but it does give signs that indicate when the time is near. Concerning this time:

1. It is known only to Allah.
2. Even Muhammad cannot bring it forward.
3. Those who are dead when the resurrection occurs will believe that only a short time has passed between death and resurrection.
4. Nothing will remain except Allah.
5. Those who have accepted false gods will suffer in the afterlife.

The explanations in the Hadiths are more specific than those in the Qur’an regarding resurrection and judgment. The teachings of the Hadiths indicate that the general flow of the end will include:

1. Terrible corruption and chaos in the world.
2. The Mahdi will establish a seven-year rule in Medina, at which time Jesus will descend from Heaven and battle the Antichrist.
3. The Mahdi and Jesus will triumph in this battle and liberate Islam from cruelty.
4. These events will be followed by a time of peace when people will live according to Islamic values.
5. The dead will be resurrected.
6. A final tribulation will occur.
7. The righteous and the wicked will be divided and sent to their appropriate eternal destinations. The righteous will be rewarded with the pleasures of Paradise, and the unrighteous will be punished in Hell.

In summary, Islam teaches that salvation is obtained by faith in Allah and his revelation, obedience through the Five Pillars and moral living, repentance for sins, and Allah’s mercy (which ultimately decides one’s fate).

Conclusion

Sometimes it is hard to imagine that those who have a different worldview from our own actually believe what they teach – but they do. And the beliefs they hold will be expressed in daily life.

Certainly not all Muslims are radical Islamists – most likely not even a majority. But there are enough who truly believe the tenets of the Islamic faith that they are able to profoundly, and negatively, influence any society they come to dominate. For that reason, it is critical that Christians understand where they are coming from.

© 2025 Freddy Davis

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