Levels of Islam

Islam consists of three levels, each building upon the lower ones. They are:

1) Islam:

* Testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
* Establish the daily prayers
* Pay Zakat (Obligatory charity due the poor)
* Observe the fast of Ramadan
* Perform pilgrimage to the Ka'aba (in Makkah ) once in your life if you are able

2) Faith (Iman):

* To believe in Allah
* To believe in His angels
* To believe in His Books (Scriptures)
* To believe in His Messengers
* To believe in the Day of Judgment
* To believe in the Divine Decree (Divine fate) whether good or evil

3) Excellence/Goodness (Ihsan )

To worship Allah (God) as if you see Him, for if you can not see Him, He assuredly sees you.

In Sahih Muslim, Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab narrated:

"My father, Umar ibn al-Khattab, told me: One day we were sitting in the company of Allah's Apostle (pbuh) when there appeared before us a man dressed in pure white clothes, his hair was extraordinarily black. There were no signs of travel on him, but none among us recognized him.

This man came and sat beside the Apostle (pbuh) kneeling before him and placing his palms on his thighs. He then said: Muhammad, inform me about al-Islam.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: Islam implies that you testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and you establish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage to the (House) if you are solvent enough (to bear the expense of) the journey.

He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth.

He (Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: It amazed us that he would put the question and then he would himself verify the truth.

He (the inquirer) said: Inform me about Iman (faith). He (the Holy Prophet) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree, either good and evil.

He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He (the inquirer) again said: Inform me about al-Ihsan (performance of good deeds).

He (the Holy Prophet) said: That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, for though you don't see Him, He, verily, sees you. He (the inquirer) again said: Inform me about the hour (of the judgment).

He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: The one who is asked knows no more than the one who is inquiring (about it).

He (the inquirer) said: Tell me some of its indications.

He (the Holy Prophet) said: That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress and master, and that you will find barefooted, destitute goat-herders vying with one another in the construction of magnificent buildings.

He (the narrator, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: Then he (the inquirer) went on his way but I stayed with the messenger of Allah for a long while. The prophet Muhammad then, said to me: 'Umar, do you know who this inquirer was? I replied: Allah and His Apostle know best.

He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: He was Gabriel (the angel). He came to you in order to instruct you in your religion."