Belief & Creed (Aqeedah)

Signs of True Faith (Iman)

Signs of True Faith (Iman)

The Purpose of Creation and the Journey of Iman

Imagine this: Allah, the Almighty, chooses to create a unique being—a creature who cannot directly see the hidden realities of the unseen realm, yet must discover them solely by reflecting upon the wonders of the universe. Humans, guided by curiosity and intellect, are tasked with the incredible challenge of recognizing the Creator through thoughtful observation and contemplation alone. Isn't it astonishing? This isn't merely existence; it's the ultimate test of faith, insight, and sincerity. Could there be a more profound way for Allah to reveal His boundless greatness and wisdom?

Allah Himself declares the purpose of our creation:

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Quran 51:56)

Unlike the angels, who witness divine realities firsthand, humans must embark on a journey of faith—one that begins with awareness, deepens with knowledge, and is ultimately proven through action. Every sunrise, every breath, every heartbeat is a sign, whispering to our souls, calling us back to our Creator. But faith is not merely about recognizing Allah’s existence; it is about developing a sincere relationship with Him. It is about transforming knowledge into conviction and conviction into a way of life.

The Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasize that faith is far more than just words; it is an inner reality that shapes our thoughts, character, and behavior. The Quran cautions against empty claims of belief:

“The Bedouins say, ‘We have believed.’ Say, [O Prophet], ‘You have not [yet] believed; but say instead, ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you of your deeds. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.’” (Quran 49:14)

Faith is a journey—one that requires constant effort, reflection, and refinement. Allah describes the signs of true believers:

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, are signs for those of understanding.” (Quran 3:190)

Faith is not passive; it is something that must be cultivated through knowledge and action. The stronger one’s understanding of Allah’s names, attributes, and guidance, the firmer their Iman becomes. The Prophet (peace be upon him) affirmed this when he said:

“Faith consists of over seventy branches—the highest is saying ‘La ilaha illa Allah’ (There is no god but Allah), and the lowest is removing harm from the road. And modesty is a branch of faith.” (Sahih Muslim)

Yet, faith is also tested. Hardships, temptations, and moments of doubt are all part of the refinement process. Allah reminds us:

“Do people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe,’ and they will not be tested?” (Quran 29:2)

The strongest believers are those who remain steadfast, using trials as opportunities to grow closer to Allah rather than as excuses to turn away.

So, where do we stand in this journey? Are we actively nurturing our faith, seeking knowledge, and embodying the principles of Islam in our daily lives? Or are we merely making claims of belief without allowing faith to penetrate our hearts?

True Iman is not a stagnant state; it is a journey of continuous growth. The doors of guidance are always open, and Allah promises:

“And those who strive for Us—We will surely guide them to Our ways.” (Quran 29:69)

What is Iman (Faith) in Islam?

In Arabic, Iman (إيمان) means faith or belief. It comes from a root word related to security and trust – to feel safe in one’s belief. In Islamic terminology, Iman is often defined as “belief in the heart, expressed by the tongue, and acted upon by the body.” This means true faith isn’t just a hidden feeling; it’s confirmed by what we say and do . A person with Iman firmly believes in Allah (God) and the fundamental truths revealed by Him, declares that belief openly, and lives according to it.

The Pillars of Iman

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that Iman encompasses specific core beliefs. In the famous narration known as the Hadith of Angel Gabriel (Jibril), the angel asked the Prophet to explain Iman. The Prophet replied:

Hadith (Sahih Muslim) – “Iman is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in the Divine Decree (Al-Qadar), both its good and its bad.”

These six beliefs are often called the Six Pillars of Iman. They include believing in One God (Allah), the angels, the revealed scriptures (like the Quran, Torah, Gospel, etc. in their original forms), the prophets and messengers, the Day of Judgment and afterlife, and Allah’s predestination of all things. Every Muslim must accept these in their heart for their Iman to be sound. The Quran also refers to many of these pillars. For instance, it praises those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets, and then spend in charity and perform prayer – showing that true belief motivates action.

It’s important to note that in Islam, faith (Iman) and practice (Islam) are closely linked. Sometimes the Quran uses the word Iman (faith) to describe the entire religion, including actions . At other times, a distinction is made between basic outward submission (Islam) and deeper inner faith (Iman). The verse above from Surah Al-Hujurat (49:14) makes that distinction: the desert Arabs had embraced Islam outwardly, but true Iman had not yet rooted itself in their hearts.

Iman Is Belief and Action

Classical Muslim scholars agreed that Iman isn’t merely knowing or saying the right words – it’s a combination of belief, speech, and deeds . Imam al-Shafi’i and other early scholars stated: “Faith (Iman) is statement and action; it increases and decreases.” . What does this mean? It means faith includes the heartfelt belief and the declaration of the creed (shahadah), but it also includes the actions that result from that belief. All the rituals like prayer, fasting, charity, and moral behavior are expressions of faith.

Because Iman includes actions, it can increase by doing good deeds and decrease by committing sins . A person’s faith grows stronger when they obey Allah sincerely, and it can weaken when they are careless or disobedient. The heart of a believer gains tranquility and certainty with worship and remembrance of God, but it may feel doubt or hardness if one neglects faith. The Prophet ﷺ gave a beautiful analogy:

Hadith (Sahih Muslim) – “Faith has over seventy branches, the most excellent of which is to declare ‘La ilaha illa Allah’ (none has the right to be worshiped except Allah), and the lowest of them is to remove something harmful from the road. And modesty (haya) is a branch of faith.”

This hadith shows that Iman has many parts or expressions – from the highest belief in God’s oneness, to small acts of kindness like clearing a hazard from a path, to virtues of the heart like modesty and humility. All of these are signs of a person’s faith. In other words, true Iman touches every aspect of life: what we believe, what we say, and how we behave.

Levels of Iman and Their Signs

Islam teaches that faith is not equal in everyone – some have a stronger Iman than others. In fact, there are levels of faith. The Hadith of Gabriel actually mentioned three stages: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. Briefly, these can be understood as follows:

Every Muhsin is a believer and Muslim, and every Mu’min is a Muslim – but not every Muslim attains the stronger faith of a Mu’min or the excellence of a Muhsin. One scholar, Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, described these as “the main levels of faith” . The Quran also alludes to different categories of believers. For example, in Surah Fatir it says Allah gave the scripture as an inheritance to some of His servants, and among them are three types: “those who wrong themselves, those who follow a moderate way, and those who are foremost in good deeds” . Scholars connected this to levels of Iman:

Signs of True Believers (Mu’minun)

The Quran beautifully describes the signs of the true believers – those with strong Iman – in several places. One powerful passage is in Surah Al-Anfal:

Quran 8:2-4 – “The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely. Those who establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them. Those are the believers in truth. For them are ranks [of honor] with their Lord, and forgiveness and a generous provision.”

According to these verses, true believers have certain clear signs: their hearts tremble with reverence at the remembrance of God, their faith grows stronger whenever they hear God’s words (Quran), they trust Allah completely, they are devoted to prayer, and they give charity from what Allah gave them. Such people are called “believers in truth” and Allah promises them high status and reward.

Another sign of strong Iman is that a true believer has no doubt about Allah and His guidance and is ready to strive in the path of Allah. The Quran says:

Quran 49:15 – “The true believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and then do not doubt, but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. Those are the ones who are truthful.”

So, unwavering belief and willingness to sacrifice for Allah’s pleasure are marks of real faith. A person at this level doesn’t just say “I believe”; their dedication and trust in Allah prove it.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also mentioned signs of a person who has truly tasted the sweetness of faith. He said that one will savor the sweetness of Iman when Allah and His Messenger become more beloved to them than anything else, and when they love others purely for the sake of Allah, and hate to return to disbelief like they’d hate being thrown into fire (this is mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim). Loving God and His Prophet above all, and loving good for others, indicates a heart enriched with faith.

On the other hand, weak or lacking Iman can also be observed through certain signs (though only Allah fully knows someone’s faith, as we’ll discuss). Some signs of weak faith mentioned by scholars include: being negligent in prayers or good deeds, feeling little remorse for sins, a hard heart that doesn’t respond to the remembrance of Allah or the Quran, and a tendency toward arrogance or envy. A companion of the Prophet, Abu Darda’, said, “It is part of a person’s understanding to know whether his faith is increasing or decreasing.” . A believer should be self-aware: if you find yourself committing sins easily and not feeling bad, or if you rarely remember Allah, it’s time to worry about your Iman and work on it.

Iman can increase or decrease. As our righteous predecessors said: when we engage in worship and remembrance of Allah, our Iman increases; when we fall into negligence or wrongdoing, our Iman decreases . Even the Quran explicitly states that the faith of believers increases when they hear revelation . So, staying consistent in good deeds is key to maintaining a high level of faith.

Islam vs. Iman vs. Ihsan – A Quick Overview

To summarize the levels: Islam is to do the minimum required acts of worship and obedience – it makes one a Muslim externally. Iman is a higher state of inner belief that drives greater sincerity and good deeds – it makes one a true believer internally and externally. Ihsan is the peak where one worships Allah as if seeing Him – the mark of the most righteous servants. All Muslims should aim to deepen their faith (Iman) and move towards ihsan (excellence). But importantly, only Allah knows each person’s true level of faith. We use these terms to check ourselves, not to label others.

Knowledge and Action: Strengthening One’s Iman

Iman is not static; it needs to be nourished by knowledge and practice. Two major ingredients strengthen faith: sound knowledge and righteous action.

Seeking Knowledge (Ilm)

Knowledge lights the way to stronger faith. The more a person learns about Allah – His Names and Attributes, His creation, and His teachings – the more their heart fills with awe and certainty. When we study the Quran and the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), our conviction in the truth of Islam grows. The Quran often asks people to think, reflect, and gain understanding so that their belief will be firm. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) believed in Allah, but he once asked Allah to show him how He gives life to the dead in order to soothe his heart. Allah did so, and Ibrahim said it was “so that my heart may be at ease” . This story (Quran 2:260) shows that seeing and understanding can strengthen the heart’s faith, even for a prophet.

A Muslim increases in Iman by learning the meanings of the Quran, studying the hadith, and even pondering the signs of Allah in the universe. Iman thrives on understanding. One companion of the Prophet, Ibn Mas’ud (ra), used to pray, “O Allah, increase me in Iman, certainty, and understanding.” This supplication links faith with knowledge and certainty.

Importantly, knowledge must be authentic and coupled with humility. Learning the religion deeply (through the Quran, Hadith, and works of trustworthy scholars) clears doubts and corrects misconceptions that can weaken faith. Moreover, understanding why we do the rituals and what we believe makes our worship much more meaningful. For example, knowing Allah’s 99 beautiful Names and reflecting on them can greatly strengthen one’s love and trust in Him, which are aspects of Iman.

Putting Knowledge into Practice

Knowledge alone is not enough – action must follow. In fact, acting on what we know further increases our faith. Each time we perform a sincere act of worship or kindness, we experience the effects of Iman. The Quran says that prayer restrains a person from wrongdoing (thus protecting faith), and remembering Allah brings comfort to hearts. The more one prays with concentration (khushoo’), the more one’s heart is attached to Allah. Similarly, giving charity sincerely can make one feel the joy of faith through helping others.

The early Muslims understood that faith grows by obedience. One of the Prophet’s companions, Umayr ibn Habib (ra), said: “Iman increases and decreases.” When asked how, he explained: “If we remember Allah, praise Him, and glorify Him, that is what increases it. If we are heedless and forget, that is what decreases it.” In other words, doing acts of dhikr (remembrance of God) and worship fills up the “tank” of faith in our hearts, whereas a lack of remembrance drains it.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, a great scholar, also said: “Iman is speech and action. It increases if you perform good deeds, and decreases if you do wrong.” . So every good deed done with faith – prayer, reading Quran, helping parents, speaking truth, even removing a harmful object from the road – adds a bit more strength to one’s Iman. And every sin or lie or act of oppression, done without repentance, eats away at one’s Iman.

This link between belief and practice is why the signs of true faith are often actions, as described earlier (prayer, charity, truthfulness, etc.). Knowledge guides us what to do, and doing it reinforces why we believed in the first place. It’s a virtuous cycle: knowledge -> faith -> action -> stronger faith.

On the flip side, knowledge that is not acted upon may even become a proof against us. A person might know what’s right but if they continually ignore it, their heart can harden and lose faith. Thus, both learning and practice are essential to keep Iman healthy. The Prophet ﷺ warned that faith can wear out in one’s heart if we don’t renew it. He said: “Faith wears out in the heart of anyone just as clothes wear out. So ask Allah to renew the faith in your hearts.” (Reported in Musnad Ahmad and others). This means we should regularly revive our faith through seeking Allah’s help, refreshing our knowledge, and doing good deeds.

Practical knowledge – like learning how to pray properly, how to read Quran with understanding, or learning Allah’s commandments and prohibitions – all directly translate into stronger faith when implemented. Even learning about the world through the lens of gratitude (for example studying science and marveling at Allah’s creation) can increase one’s belief in the Creator. In Islam, there is no conflict between sound reason and faith; rather, reason and knowledge bolster true faith.

In summary, faith is like a tree: knowledge is the seed and water, actions are the branches and fruits. With care and effort, the tree of Iman grows tall and firm. Without nourishment, it withers. As believers, we are encouraged to constantly seek beneficial knowledge and perform righteous deeds, asking Allah to accept them – this is the formula to strengthen Iman.

Only Allah Knows the True Level of Iman

While we can discuss signs and levels of faith, a very important principle in Islam is that only Allah truly knows what is in a person’s heart. We cannot see someone’s inner belief or know their standing with Allah for certain. Our judgments are limited to outward actions, but Allah is the ultimate Judge of faith.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught this clearly. In one incident, a companion named Usamah ibn Zayd was fighting an enemy in battle. When Usamah overtook him, the man suddenly declared the shahada (Islamic testimony of faith). Usamah, thinking the man was just pretending to be Muslim to escape death, still went ahead and struck him. When the Prophet heard of this, he was very upset. He said to Usamah, “Did you kill him after he said La ilaha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah)?!” Usamah explained why he did it, but the Prophet repeated, “Did you open his heart to see if he meant it?” (Hadith in Sahih Muslim). Usamah felt immense regret, realizing that he had no right to judge the sincerity of the man’s faith – that knowledge belongs to Allah alone.

The Quran also cautions believers against judging others’ faith in several verses. One such verse states:

Quran 4:94 – “O you who have believed, when you go forth [to fight] in the cause of Allah, investigate; and do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace ‘You are not a believer,’ aspiring for the goods of worldly life; for with Allah are many bounties. You yourselves were like that before, then Allah conferred His favor upon you…”

This verse revealed that some Muslims doubted the faith of others for worldly reasons, and Allah warned them not to hasty in declaring someone a non-believer. It reminds us that at one point we ourselves might have been weak in practice or new to Islam (“You were like that before”), and it was Allah’s guidance that improved us. So we should give others the benefit of the doubt and not be quick to label anyone’s level of faith.

Iman resides in the heart, and the heart is known only to Allah. A person might appear very pious outwardly but Allah alone knows their sincerity. Likewise, someone might seem not very religious externally, yet they have a strong connection to Allah internally that we are unaware of. The Prophet (pbuh) forbade us from calling another Muslim a disbeliever or hypocrite without clear proof, because if we are wrong, the grave sin of that accusation can fall back on us. He said, “If a man says to his brother, ‘O disbeliever,’ then it returns upon one of them” (Sahih Muslim). This means falsely accusing someone of disbelief is so serious that it could jeopardize one’s own faith.

Therefore, while we can encourage each other to do good and display the signs of Iman, we must refrain from proclaiming who is a “true believer” in Allah’s sight and who isn’t. We simply don’t have that knowledge. Judgment belongs to Allah. Our role is to work on our own faith and gently advise and help each other in good, without assuming a position of moral superiority.

Arrogance – A Hindrance to Higher Iman

One of the greatest obstacles to achieving strong faith is arrogance (kibr). Arrogance is essentially an inflated pride that makes a person feel superior and reject truth or advice. In Islam, arrogance is a major spiritual disease that directly conflicts with true faith.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) defined arrogance very clearly. He said: “Arrogance is to reject the truth and to look down on people.” (Sahih Muslim). This shows that an arrogant person refuses to admit when they are wrong or to accept guidance, and they belittle others as lesser than themselves. Both of these attitudes block the path to sincere faith:

The Quran repeatedly warns against arrogance. For example, Allah says He does not love the arrogant (16:23) and that such pride can blind people to the signs of God. The first sin of Satan was arrogance – Iblis refused to bow to Adam out of pride, thinking he was better. That arrogance led him to disobey Allah and become a disbeliever. This is a lesson: arrogance can turn even worship into rebellion. A person might have knowledge or piety, but if they become proud of it, that pride can ruin their faith.

Hadith (Sahih Muslim) – “No one who has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” When a man asked if that meant liking nice clothes, the Prophet clarified, “Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. Arrogance means rejecting truth and despising people.” (Muslim, Kitab al-Iman).

So, it’s not outward appearance or success that makes arrogance; it’s the inner attitude. Even a poor or simply-dressed person can be arrogant if they scorn others and resist guidance.

Why does arrogance hinder reaching higher levels of Iman? Because faith flourishes in a humble heart. A humble person readily acknowledges Allah’s greatness and their own need for His guidance – this humility is the soil in which Iman grows. Arrogance, on the other hand, is like a poison to that soil. It leads a person to credit themselves rather than Allah, to become complacent and stop seeking knowledge or making du’a (prayer) for help. An arrogant soul may think, “I’m already pious enough, I’m better than those people,” – such thoughts are extremely dangerous. They can lead to the sin of self-righteousness, which was the downfall of previous nations.

The Prophet (pbuh) taught us to be the opposite of arrogant – to be mutawadi’ (humble). He said, “Whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise him in status.” True faith should make us more humble, not more proud. The more we recognize Allah’s greatness and our dependence on Him, the more modest and kind we become. This humility allows us to learn from anyone, to admit our faults, to apologize when wrong, and to appreciate others’ virtues. All of those are traits of a true believer.

In practical terms, we should watch out for arrogance sneaking into our hearts. If we feel a sense of pride over others because of our prayers, knowledge, wealth, or even race or nationality, we should remember that Allah gave us everything we have and He can take it away. We should remember how the Prophet and his companions, despite being the best generation, remained extremely humble and avoided boasting about their faith.

Keeping arrogance at bay is essential to ascend the levels of Iman. A humble believer will continuously try to improve and get closer to Allah, whereas a proud person thinks they have “made it” and thus stagnates or declines. In short, humility is the hallmark of a believer, and arrogance is a trait of ignorance and weak faith. To attain the sweetness of Iman, we must cleanse our hearts of arrogance.

Avoid Judging Others’ Faith

Connected to the topic of arrogance is the issue of judging others’ level of faith. As Muslims strive to become better, it can be tempting to start measuring those around us and labeling them as “pious” or “not pious enough.” Islam cautions strongly against this behavior for several reasons.

First, as discussed, only Allah truly knows who has strong Iman and who does not. We see only the outward actions; we do not see the intentions or the private struggles and good deeds people may hide. Someone may outwardly seem less religious – maybe they are not so knowledgeable or they struggle with certain sins – yet they might have a heart that turns to Allah in repentance often, or does secret acts of charity, or will grow in the future. Conversely, someone could appear very devout but have hidden faults or insincerity that Allah knows. We simply are not in a position to issue verdicts on people’s hearts.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) warned us not to be judgmental and self-satisfied. There is a profound story he told of two men from the Children of Israel: one was very religious and the other was a sinner. The religious man used to advise the sinner to stop his wrongs. One day, finding him again in sin, the religious man said in frustration, “By Allah, He will not forgive you!” or “Allah will not admit you to Paradise.” Upon their death, Allah judged between them: He said to the arrogant advisor, “Who is he who swears by Me that I will not forgive so-and-so? I have forgiven him, and I have nullified your deeds.” (Hadith in Abu Dawud). This shocking outcome shows how dangerous it is to assume someone is beyond hope or to speak about how Allah will judge them. The formerly sinful man had turned back to Allah (or at least Allah’s mercy enveloped him), and the “pious” man’s arrogance and presumptuous judgment ruined him.

Thus, we should never declare someone else as doomed or irredeemable. We have hope for every Muslim that Allah can guide them and forgive them if they repent. We also shouldn’t make ourselves the evaluator of who is “good” or “bad” Muslim in a definitive way. Yes, we recognize good deeds as good and sins as sins, but we can’t conclude “so-and-so must not have real Iman” – because faith can be hidden in the heart and people can change.

Another aspect of this is avoiding a holier-than-thou attitude. If someone is trying to please Allah, even if they are not doing it perfectly, we should encourage them, not criticize them harshly. For example, consider a sister who is just beginning to wear hijab or a brother who struggles but shows up to some prayers at the mosque. Instead of saying “your faith is weak for not doing more,” we should appreciate their efforts and politely encourage more improvement. A gentle approach can lift them up; harsh judgment might push them away.

On the flip side, if someone appears less practicing or commits open sins, it’s not our place to assume they have no faith. We can hate the sin while still caring about the person and wanting good for them. Perhaps through advice and dua (prayer for them), they will become better. In fact, some of the greatest Muslims in history were once people who sinned or even disbelieved, and then Allah guided their hearts. The Quran tells us never to despair in people’s ability to turn back: “Say, ‘O My servants who have wronged themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins…’” (39:53). If Allah’s door of repentance is open, who are we to slam it on someone by judging them as unworthy?

Judging others can also lead to hypocrisy in ourselves. If a person is overly focused on others’ faults, they may neglect their own. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Glad tidings to the one who is so busy with his own faults that he does not notice the faults of others.” We will not be asked about why someone else did this or that on Judgment Day – we will be asked about ourselves. So, it is wiser to channel that energy into self-improvement.

This doesn’t mean we cannot advise or help each other. In fact, advising fellow Muslims kindly is part of our faith. But there is a big difference between sincere advice and judgement or gossip. Sincere advice is given privately, with compassion, and with the intention to help, not to humiliate. Judging, on the other hand, often comes with scorn or spreading negativity about the person.

In summary, Islam encourages us to build a community of believers who assume the best of one another. We should remember that every person is on a journey. Some may reach high levels of Iman quickly, others slowly. Some may appear to lag, but later race ahead. What ultimately matters is how each of us ends our life – and only Allah knows that. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, one of you performs the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is but an arm’s length between him and it, and then what is written overtakes him and he performs deeds of the people of Hellfire and enters it; and one of you performs the deeds of the people of Hellfire… then he does the deeds of the people of Paradise and enters it.” (Bukhari & Muslim). This means we can’t be complacent about ourselves or despair about someone else. Faith can evolve.

Thus, focus on your own Iman and help others with a sincere heart, but leave the ultimate judgment of people to Allah. This attitude keeps our communities united and compassionate, rather than divided by self-righteousness.

Quranic Insights on Iman

The Quran is filled with verses about Iman – in fact, the word “Iman” and its derivatives (like “believers”: mu’minun) appear hundreds of times. Let’s highlight a few Quranic gems that deepen our understanding of true faith:

By pondering these and many other verses, a Muslim gains insight that faith is a profound concept. It has intellectual aspects (belief in truths), emotional aspects (love, fear, trust in Allah), and practical aspects (submission and good works). The Quran frequently links Iman with guidance, light, success, and Allah’s pleasure – showing that faith is the key to everything good in this life and the hereafter.

Hadiths (Teachings of Prophet Muhammad) About Iman

The sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are a rich source of guidance on Iman. We’ve already mentioned several, but here we’ll list a few important hadiths related to the signs of true faith:

These hadiths (and many others) give us a checklist of sorts to examine ourselves: Do I have love for others? Do I try to stop wrongs? Do I feel humility and gratitude or arrogance? Am I increasing in good deeds? How strong is my love for Allah and His Messenger? Such self-reflection is encouraged in Islam. As one companion, Umar ibn al-Khattab, said: “Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account (on Judgment Day), and weigh your deeds before they are weighed for you.” This means a true believer frequently assesses their own faith and actions, rather than pointing at others.

Scholarly Commentary on Iman

Islamic scholars throughout history have extensively discussed Iman – clarifying its definition, components, and how to strengthen it. Here are a few insights from both classical and modern scholars:

In essence, scholarly commentary across the board reinforces that Iman is dynamic and holistic. It’s dynamic because it can grow or shrink, and holistic because it affects all areas of life – beliefs, rituals, ethics, and personal development. Whenever there were deviations (like some groups claiming “once a believer, always saved regardless of deeds,” or others saying “any sin makes you a disbeliever”), mainstream scholars corrected them by returning to the Quran and authentic Hadith. They highlighted Islam’s middle path: Faith and actions support each other. Neither can stand long without the other.

Islam’s Perspective: The Best Approach to Faith

Islam’s teachings on Iman present a balanced, profound approach to faith that has theological, logical, and practical strengths. Here’s why the Islamic perspective on faith can be seen as the best approach:

In conclusion of this section, Islam’s perspective on faith is that of a living, dynamic relationship with God that betters the individual and the world. It’s not just believing and sitting back; it’s believing and continuously striving. It satisfies the soul’s need for purpose, the mind’s need for truth, and the heart’s need for peace. That comprehensive and balanced approach makes Islamic Iman stand out as a complete package for success in this life and the next. It’s why Muslims often feel that their faith is the most valuable thing they have – it shapes their identity and destiny.

Miracles of Faith

While Islam doesn’t ask us to base our faith solely on miracles, it acknowledges that Allah has sent miracles to strengthen the believers or demonstrate the truth. When people have true Iman, Allah’s help can come in miraculous ways. Here are a few examples related to the topic of faith:

It’s important not to demand miracles as a condition for belief – the Quraysh polytheists demanded miracles from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Quran chastised that attitude, because there were already plenty of signs. But Allah in His wisdom does grant signs to strengthen hearts. Ultimately, the greatest “miracle” is the Quran itself, which has guided millions to faith and is considered an everlasting miracle in its eloquence, prophecies, and impact.

Believers see the hand of Allah in things that others might call coincidence, because faith teaches us that nothing is purely random. As one grows in Iman, they might start to notice these “miracles” more – from the intricate beauty of nature to the timing of life events – and each notice increases their faith further.

Conclusion: Living and Strengthening Our Iman

We’ve explored what true faith (Iman) means in Islam – its definition, levels, signs, and how it intertwines with knowledge, action, and character. The journey of Iman is a lifelong journey. A Muslim’s goal is to die with strong, pure faith in their heart, because that is the key to eternal success. As the Quran says: “O you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in a state of submission].” (3:102).

Here are some practical takeaways on how we can strengthen our Iman and live by these teachings:

In practicing these, remember that growth in Iman is gradual. Don’t be frustrated if you don’t feel a huge change overnight. Just like a tree grows slowly with watering, your consistent efforts will, by Allah’s will, yield a stronger and more fruitful faith in time.

Finally, be hopeful. Allah is Very Merciful. If He sees in our hearts a genuine desire for faith and a willingness to strive, He will guide us and increase us. He promised in the Quran: “As for those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our ways” (29:69). So our job is to strive; guidance and increased faith is Allah’s gift that He grants generously.

May Allah make us among the true believers (al-mu’minin), and increase our Iman until we meet Him. Ameen.

Recommended Books on Iman and Faith

For further study and inspiration on this topic, here are some highly-regarded books by mainstream Islamic scholars that delve into Iman, its pillars, and how to strengthen it (all from the authentic perspective):