What Is the Reality of Iman, and How Can I Truly Be a Mu’min?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Sami‘ al-Yakti

Question

What is the reality of Iman, and how can I truly be a mu’min?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the master of messengers, his family, and his companions.

Iman (faith) is to believe the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), in all that he has brought from his Lord, and what is known of the religion by necessity. The reality of Iman manifests itself in numerous forms within Islamic law, but essentially, it is the coupling of heartfelt belief and certainty in everything brought by the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) along with uprightness and outward action in accordance with it. Thus, the reality of Iman is what settles in the heart and is validated by action.

Detail and Clarification:

A Prophetic Display of Instilling Iman in the Youth

When we speak of religion and Iman and instilling the principles of Aqida in the hearts and minds of young girls and boys, the narration of Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) comes to mind.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) took him behind him on his mount and began to teach him the words: “O young boy! I will teach you some words: Be mindful of Allah, and He will preserve you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the people were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you except with something that Allah has already prescribed for you, and if they gather together to harm you with something, they would not harm you except with something that Allah has already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted, and the pages have dried.” [Tirmidhi]

From this hadith, we understand the importance of teaching our youth, guiding them, and nurturing them upon the religion of their Lord. This meaning is further emphasized in the Hadith of Jibril (peace be upon him), where he appeared as a man asking questions, to guide the noble companions to the essentials of their religion.

So what is the reality of Iman, and how can one truly be a mu’min? To answer this question, we will define Iman in linguistic and technical terms and then mention some Islamic texts that clarify the reality of Iman.

Linguistic and Technical Definition of Iman

Linguistically, Iman means the heart’s acknowledgment and internal affirmation of the truth of something. Technically, it is to believe the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) in all that he brought and what is necessarily known of the religion, or it is belief in the heart and affirmation by the tongue [Jurjani, al-Ta‘rifat].

Below are some verses and hadiths that describe various forms in which the perfection and reality of Iman are achieved:

True Iman as Described in the Quran

Allah (Most High) says: “The ˹true˺ believers are only those whose hearts tremble at the remembrance of Allah, whose faith increases when His revelations are recited to them, and who put their trust in their Lord. ˹They are˺ those who establish prayer and donate from what We have provided for them. It is they who are the true believers. They will have elevated ranks, forgiveness, and an honorable provision from their Lord.” [Quran, 8: 2-4]

The Branches of Iman

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Iman has over seventy branches (or: over sixty branches), the most excellent of which is the declaration that there is nothing worthy of worship but Allah, and the humblest of which is the removal of what is injurious from the path. And modesty is the branch of Iman.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Iman is to Love and Follow the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)

One of the most important aspects in which Iman is realized and perfected is the love of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), and that one’s desires should follow what he brought. Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “None of you has Iman until I am more beloved to him than his child, his father, and all people.” [Bukhari; Muslim]. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said: “None of you has iman until his desires follow what I have brought.” [Nawawi, 40 Hadith Collection]

Various Manifestations of Iman

There are also many other forms of Iman, as in the Hadith: “The most complete of mu’minun in Iman are those with the best character.” [Abu Dawud] And the Hadith: “Whoever has Iman in Allah and the Last Day must not harm his neighbor. Whoever has Iman in Allah and the Last Day must honor his guest. Whoever has Iman in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

The Lack of Iman in a Harmful Person

To complete the picture, there are also forms where the perfection and reality of Iman are negated, God forbid. Among the most important and dangerous of these is harming one’s neighbors. Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “By Allah, he does not have Iman! By Allah, he does not have Iman! By Allah, he does not have Iman!” He was asked, “Who, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “The one whose neighbor is not safe from his evil.” [Bukhari; Muslim].

Major Sins Eclipse Iman

Committing major sins and destructive actions also negates Iman. Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “A person does not commit fornication when he fornicates while being a mu’min, nor does he steal when he steals while being a mu’min, nor does he drink wine when he drinks it while being a mu’min, nor does he kill while being a mu’min.” Ikrimah asked Ibn Abbas: “How is Iman extracted from him?” He replied: “Like this,” and he interlaced his fingers, then drew them apart. “If he repents, it returns to him like this,” and he interlaced his fingers again. [Bukhari; Muslim]

In Conclusion:

Know, my brother, that Iman increases and decreases – as most scholars have stated. It increases with acts of obedience and decreases with sins, wrongdoings, and destructive actions. May Allah protect us and you from them and grant us the perfection of Iman. Know that the reality of Iman manifests in many forms, such as:

• When I firmly and sincerely know to be true in my heart that there is nothing worthy of worship but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), and act according to this great testimony, then I am truly a person of Iman.
• When I submit to all the pillars of Iman, all that Allah has revealed in the Quran, and all that our Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), has brought, then I am truly a person of Iman.
• When my heart is filled with love for Allah (Most High), His Messenger, and this religion, and hatred for disbelief, immorality, and disobedience, then I am truly a person of Iman.
• When I adorn myself with noble characteristics and morals, show kindness and dutifulness to my parents, treat my family and offspring well, and behave well with relatives, neighbors, and all of creation, then I am truly a person of Iman.
• Finally, when I translate my heartfelt Iman into practical Iman and people are safe from harm to their lives, properties, honor, and other trusts because of me, then I am truly a person of Iman.

We ask Allah (Most High) to make you and us among those who truly possess Iman, both in reality and essence. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.