How to strengthen our faith - Īmān (إِيمَان)

Everyone in this world has some sort of faith one believes in that give the ultimate direction of life. In Islam,  Īmān  (إِيمَان) is the Muslims' faith based on worship of one true God, we call Allah. Allah, the creator of the entire universe, who made us to be and would take us back at our appointed time. Unless one has an unflinching faith in one true God, one can hope for one's salvation both in this world and the world of the Hereafter. In fact, Īmān (faith) is the foundation of a Muslim’s life.

That is why every believer is in pursuit of keeping his Īmān intact and not get it tainted by the distractions by the Satan, the Evil and the world itself. Before we see practical ways to strengthen it., let us explore it clearly and deeply — from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and views of early scholars.

What is Īmān (Faith)?

• The Linguistic Meaning: “Īmān” (إيمان) comes from the Arabic root A-M-N (أ م ن) — meaning security, peace, and trust. So, Īmān literally means to affirm with conviction, to feel secure through belief.
• Qur’anic Definition:
• "The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. Such are the sincere." — (Surah Al-Ḥujurāt 49:15)
• This verse shows that Īmān is not just belief — it includes:
• Conviction (no doubt),
• Action (striving with wealth and life),
• Sincerity (doing it for Allah alone).
• Prophetic Definition (Hadith of Jibrīl — Sahih Muslim 8): When Angel Jibrīl asked the Prophet ﷺ: “What is Īmān?”, the Prophet replied: “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and in Qadar (divine decree), both good and bad.”

Classical scholars (like Imām al-Bukhārī, Ibn Taymiyyah, and Imām al-Nawawī) define Īmān as:

“Īmān is belief in the heart, words by the tongue, and actions by the limbs — it increases with obedience and decreases with sin.” 

Thus, Īmān is dynamic — it grows or weakens. “That they may increase in faith along with their (present) faith.” — (Surah Al-Fath 48:4)

How to Strengthen Īmān

Let us follow the following roadmap drawn from Qur’an and Sunnah:

1. Deepen Knowledge of Allah

First and the foremost, we must be very clear and sure who Allah is. For many, the belief in God is varying. For Hindus, although there is a concept of a divine deity, they replicate this deity into idols and when they think of that divine deity, an image of a man made idols creeps into their mind. Likewise, the concept of Trinity further confuses the true identity of one true God. But the Muslims have a very clear knowledge of Allah, and follow Him unseen without need of any illustration or image of Allah being in front of them. And it is this unseen faith in Allah which strengthens our Īmān in Allah, for we do not need to see Him. We have His book, Al Qur'an, through which He directly speaks to us if we reflect on the verses of Qur'an.

“It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah.” — (Surah Fāṭir 35:28)

We can also know Allah through His 99 attributes, each of which is embodiment of His finest qualities and describes Allah to us clearly and leaving no doubt about is existence.  Learn Allah’s Names and Attributes — knowing who He is brings love and awe.

Practical Tip: 

• Study one Name of Allah daily and reflect on how it shows in your life. You may like to read, understand and memories these 99 attributes of Allah from our post: 99 Attributes of Allah.
• You may also know Allah better from our earlier posts given in:
• Understanding Islam - Frequently Asked Q&A for knowing more about Islam
• Compiled verses from Qur'an on specific subjects: Faith in Allah

2. Regular Salah (prayer) 

In Islam, five salah (prayer) has been made obligatory on all adult and healthy Muslims (barring the lunatics or ill to an extent not to know of one's actions) of both genders five time a day. 

The performance of the five daily prayers with sincerity and focus is not only an act of fulfilling the obligation of worship of Allah, but it also takes a believer closer to Allah and develops the love with Allah which He most certainly deserves.

Adding Tahajjad prayer late at night adds more closeness to Allah, for getting late at night and breaking one's sleep is an act which most loved by Allah. That is why there is a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which narrates that at the time of Tahajjad, Allah comes down very close to our world to listen to His believers and bless them all they wish for.

2. Regular Qur’an Recitation and Reflection

Reading Qur’an with understanding and emotion nourishes the heart.

“The believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble; and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith.” — (Surah Al-Anfāl 8:2)

Most of us, however, read the Qur'an but do not reflect on what is being said to them and act upon the commandments of Allah. In fact, it is Allah who is speaking directly to us through His revealed Book - so we need to rad small portions with tadabbur (reflection), not just speed, and shape our lives as per instructions of Allah.

Tadabbur is the deep reflection, contemplation, and pondering over the meanings and lessons of the Quran to understand its message and apply it to one's life. It involves going beyond mere recitation to grasp the wisdom within each verse, relate it to daily experiences, and seek guidance for personal and spiritual growth. 

• Key aspects of Tadabbur
• Deep reflection: It is a mindful process of thinking deeply about the words of Allah, reflecting on their implications and wisdom. 
• Beyond recitation: It moves past reciting the Quran to understanding its message, making it a source of guidance for daily life. 
• Personal application: Tadabbur involves applying the lessons of the Quran to current life situations, such as problems at work or home. 
• A deeper connection: It is a way to connect with Allah and His words on a deeper level, providing grounding and solace. 
• Understanding consequences: The word itself relates to the idea of thinking about the consequences or the underlying cause of something, which helps in uncovering the deeper meanings of the verses. 
• A continuous process: It is an ongoing exercise of seeking and internalizing the guidance from the Quran for personal and spiritual development. 

So engage with meaning of verses of Qur'an and apply its teachings to our practical life.

3. Constant Remembrance (Dhikr)

Dhikr is a devotional practice of remembering Allah by reciting phrases or prayers, either silently or aloud. The practice involves invoking God's names or reciting supplications from the Qur'an and hadith to keep Allah in one's mind. This act of remembrance is considered a fundamental form of worship that strengthens faith, brings peace, and can be done at any time.

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” — (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28)

 In fact Dhikr connects your heart with Allah and removes spiritual rust.

Daily Tip: Make daily habits — SubḥānAllāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Allāhu Akbar, Astaghfirullāh — especially in moments of stillness.

However, some factions of Muslims sit together in congregation, and start reciting one attribute of Allah with their heads swaying side by side for the whole day - some even go to wilderness and do Dhikr sitting in isolation, cutting themselves from the world. This is not the purpose of Dhikr. Instead, we need to remember Allah and do dhikr even when we are at work. This will add good to us and blessings of Allah and strengthen our Iman for we are constantly in remembrance of Allah.

4. Repent Often and Avoid Sin

One of the best tool provided to a believer to seek Divine forgiveness of the sins so committed through repentance.

“Those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness… and do not persist in it.” — (Surah Āl-‘Imrān 3:135)

Repentance, known as Tawbah, is a direct relationship with Allah to ask for forgiveness for sins, which involves three core steps: feeling regret for the sin, ceasing the sinful action, and resolving not to repeat it. If the sin involved another person, the individual must also make restitution or seek forgiveness from them. Sincere repentance is seen as an act of worship and is considered a way to purify the soul and draw closer to Allah.  

Sin darkens the heart and weakens faith; repentance restores its shine. Unlike some religions, where after sinning, the followers go to their religious men and ask for forgiveness and they are assured that they are forgiven by God. But that is not the correct of seeking repentance and forgiveness. Qur'an tells us to approach Allah directly without any intermediary and repent - and no matter how bigger is the sin, Allah will forgive. But repentance should not be toyed with - that is summitting sin, repenting and then return to sins again. One has to first sincerely feel ashamed of his sinful act, then repent with a clear intention of not sinning again and then seek forgiveness.

We have written a number of posts on repentance which may be read to understand what repentance and forgiveness is. Our latest post How do we know that Allah has accepted our repentance and forgiven us may be read to understand the concept of repentance better.

5. Keep Good Company

Always remember the age old phrase: A man is known by the company he keeps." Friends influence faith — keep the company of believers who remind you of Allah.

“And keep yourself patient with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening.” — (Surah Al-Kahf 18:28)

If one is in the company of the God fearing ones. one learns good things from them that strengthen one's Iman. But if one is in company of those who take this life as an entertainment and while away their time in acts that are detrimental to ensuring closeness to Allah, then one starts to drift from the righteous pat and a time comes when their conscious dies to really appreciate what is good and bad. Such a state whe is reached, one's Iman is said to have weaken to its lowest ebb.

6. Perform Good Deeds Consistently

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been quoted as saying, “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if small.” — (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464). Some of the good deeds are Small daily worships — salah on time, charity, fasting, helping others — feed the heart.

Read our already published a number of posts on Charity from our reference page: Selected verses from Qur'an on Importance of Charity in Islam to know why charity also strengthens our Iman.

You may also read an eye open Hadith regarding death: Death of some relieves them and death of some relieves the world (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

7. Reflect on Death much too often and the Hereafter: A believer with firm faith and Iman should often reflect on the purpose of life and why it is so short lived. If one contemplates the purpose of life and the final return to the One who created us in the first place will reflect on us the purpose of life which would ultimately strengthens our Iman. 

Remember, one of the 99 Attributes of Allah is Al-Mumīt - The Creator of Death. Read more to know about this attribute and why Allah created death.

8. Supplicate Constantly

While one should take all possible practical steps, as mentioned in point 1-6, one also needs to continuously supplicate and seek Allah's blessing so that his Iman does not get tainted.

The Prophet ﷺ often prayed: اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ  “O Allah, keep my heart firm upon Your religion.” — (Tirmidhi 2140)

This shows that even the Prophet feared for his heart — so constant dua is essential. This does not mean that the Prophet sinned, but this was a practical tip for his companions to supplicate for they were no prophets but plain human beings liable to commit sin or something unbecoming. We therefore, should regularly and continuously supplicate to be be on the right path so that our Iman does not get tainted but strengthens every day.

9. Seek knowledge

Science and working on meaning of Qur'an is unfolding many a hidden secrets and knowledge of Qur'an which were hitherto were obscure from the scholars and the scientists. In view of the great research work done on Qur'an and Islam, it is incumbent on every believer to learn more about Islam through books lectures and scholars. This would not only increase one's knowledge about Islam, but would also lace every believer with knowledge to spread Islam and extend Da'wah to non Muslims. At the same time more indepth knowledge will add to strengthening our Iman.

10. Read about life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a beacon of hope for all Muslims in particular and others in general. From a thriving businessman of Quraish of Makkah, his life changed from extreme comfort to extreme discomfort when he was chosen for the prophethood at the age of forty years. From here on till he died, was a life full of tests and trials, torture and mockery by the idolaters of Makkah. He endure the physical as well as spiritual hardships when he went about extending Da'wah / invitation to Islam to the non Muslims. Despite the rugged life he endured, ever new test further strengthen his Iman.

And if we review our status of Iman, we would appreciate that we have more failings than success while trying to live a life as per tenets of Islam. We hardly life a life as was lived by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. If we start now bit by bit, we will certainly add on to better our Iman and becoming a good Muslim. 

In short: Īmān = Conviction in the heart + Declaration by the tongue + Action by the body. It grows through remembrance, knowledge, and obedience — and weakens through sin, heedlessness, and pride.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Whom should we seek to please: The World or the Lord of the Worlds?

The question being posed in our post today may make many to ponder deeply, while some may discard it for the obvious answer. Yes, we know the answer, but have we ever came across situations when love of the world overtakes the love for the Lord of the worlds?

Let’s explore this through the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur’an, showing that the Divine message across revelations has always been consistent: True success lies in pleasing God, not people. We will first give some references from all the Divine Scriptures about who alone is to be pleased and then will give some examples when prophets and men have to take firm decision to follow one path only:

Torah (Old Testament)

It is said in Deuteronomy 5:33

“You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may go well with you.”

Here Torah emphasizes walking in the ways of the Lord, not in the ways of men. Success and peace depend on obeying God alone.

The Bible (New Testament)

Jesus (ʿĪsā عليه السلام) taught the same truth as mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew 6:19–20:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

That is focus on eternal reward, not temporary approval. Pleasing God brings everlasting peace; pleasing people is fleeting.

The Qur’an

Since I am a Muslim, I will quote a few verses that direct a man to follow which path:

• The Central Principle
• “And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is kind to [His] servants.” — Surah Al-Baqarah (2:207)
• Explanation: The believer sacrifices comfort, popularity, or even safety to earn Allah’s pleasure (riḍwān Allāh). This pleasure outweighs all worldly approval.
• Warning Against Pleasing People over God
• “They seek to please people, but Allah has more right that they should please Him, if they are truly believers.” — Surah At-Tawbah (9:62)
• Context: This verse was revealed about hypocrites who pretended to support the Prophet ﷺ but sought worldly reputation. Allah clarifies that faith means prioritizing divine pleasure above human praise.
• The Ultimate Goal
• “Their reward is with their Lord: gardens beneath which rivers flow... Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him — that is the supreme success.” — Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:8)
• Lesson: The ultimate success is not wealth or applause, but mutual contentment — Allah pleased with His servants, and they pleased with Him.

Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The message of the last of the prophets Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is none different as is Divinely said in the Qur'an. Herein under asre some of his hadiths on the subject:

• Allah’s Pleasure Over People’s
• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever seeks Allah’s pleasure, even if it displeases people, Allah will be pleased with him and will make the people pleased with him. But whoever seeks to please people at the cost of Allah’s displeasure, Allah will be displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him.” — Ibn Ḥibbān (276), Tirmidhī (2414) — Ṣaḥīḥ
• Lesson: Pleasing Allah may seem costly in the short term, but it ultimately brings honor and inner peace. Pleasing people by compromising faith brings humiliation.
• On Sincerity
• “Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will have only what he intended.” — Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1907
• Meaning: The believer must act not for reputation or recognition but purely for Allah’s sake (ikhlāṣ).

Exemplifying the Subject under discussion.

Now let us share an example of Prophet Abraham  ( Ibrāhīm عليه السلام) who is regarded as the father of all prophets by all followers of the Divine religions. He was born in a idolatry family but worshipping static man made idols never satisfied him. He knew there was some being greater than all who controls the world and lives of the humans. So, one day while the main temple was empty, he broke all the idols. Naturally this annoyed everyone, including his father. But the revered Prophet plainly refused to follow idolatry at the cost of annoying and losing his family. He preferred the unseen Lord of the worlds over the lifeless idols and severed the family ties specially with his father. This is the extreme love a man can express to please the Lord of the worlds and not The World.

Hazrat Bilal, known as Bilal Habshi, was a slave in the very early formatting time of Islam, who embraced Islam much to the annoyance of his master. He was pressurized to renounce his new faith and return to idolatry. When he refused, his master laid him on the burning sad of summers of Arabia and put a heavy stone on his chest which almost crushed his bone - yet he continue to murmur "Ahad - Al-Ahad (الاحد)   - The One, The Only One. Seeing his plight, an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم bought him and set him free. He could have averted the severe pain and renounced Islam, yet for him love of Allah was more than the comfort of life of darkness, that is idolatry.

Relevance for Today

In a world obsessed with social approval, fame, and “likes,” this timeless command from all Scriptures reminds us:

• Faith over fame.
• Truth over trend.
• Allah’s pleasure over human praise.

When the believer’s compass is fixed toward the pleasure of the Lord of the Worlds, he finds tranquility (sakīnah) that the world cannot offer.

It may thus be said that to please the world is to lose yourself; to please the Lord is to find yourself. The Prophets, from Abraham to Jesus to Muhammad (peace be upon them), all lived for Ridhā Allāh — the pleasure of their Lord — and taught their followers to do the same.

However, despite the Divine commandments and the examples of those with a strong faith, we find our selves meek and weak when it comes to weight between the world and the Lord of the world. Many give way to the comforts and love of the world, thinking they will have ample time to repent and seek pleasure of Allah, the Lord of the worlds. We sacrifice our faith when confronting family pressures or official commitments and often make decisions that offend our Creator. Yet the love of the world keeps our eyes shut of the true reality, which only a few can sincerely fathom.

Let us quote a closing verse to really ponder upon:

“O you who believe! Indeed, among your spouses and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Your wealth and your children are but a trial; but Allah has with Him a great reward.” — (Surah At-Taghābun 64:14–15)

“O you who believe! Let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah; and whoever does that — then those are the losers.” — (Surah Al-Munāfiqūn 63:9) 

This theme appears in several Qur’ānic verses reminding believers not to let love of wealth, family, or worldly life divert them from Allah’s remembrance and obedience. Family and wealth are blessings, but they can become distractions or tests (fitnah) if they lead a person to neglect Allah’s commands or delay obedience. The believer must love them in balance, ensuring Allah’s pleasure comes first.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | Resource references: | ChatGPT | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Can faith be forced?

Faith is a deeply rooted belief and trust in the existence, oneness, and power of One True God, we Muslim call Allah. It encompasses several essential aspects that shape an individual's understanding and relationship with Allah. To help people feel the enlighten of true faith, that is belief in One True God without any associates, countless number of prophets and messengers were chosen and sent to different people to understand and absorb the enlightenment of faith. 

But we are also witness to the fact that while a small majority accepted the Divine wisdom and accepted the reality of a One True God while others confronted the prophets with anger, arrogance for they never wanted to part with their centuries old beliefs and "faith" in their gods. If Allah wanted His commandments and wisdom be accepted, He could very simply do it and with just one Divine nod, the entire people could come running to enter the fold of the Divine faith. But this never happened.

We see prophets being tortured, even thrown into burning fire, pelted and stoned and even mercilessly killed by people averse to accepting the true Divine faith. Here the question arises: Couldn't prophets "enforce" faith? Well, the inability of prophets to enforce faith can be understood as part of a larger Divine plan that emphasizes freedom, personal responsibility, and the importance of genuine, voluntary belief. Unlike a very popular perception by non-Muslims that attribute spread of Islam through sword, it would be seen that were it be true, every Spanish would have been a Muslim after almost 800 years long Muslim rule over Spain or almost a similar time span of Musljjm rule over India, where the majority of Indians remained Hindu under the rule of Muslims.

Even father of revered Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) could not convince his father to accept the will of Allah and follow the true path, ;leaving idolatry (Lot, Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him) also could not convince his son and likewise Prophet Lut (Lot, peace be upon him) could not convince his wife to follow faith of Allah. Abu Talib, the beloved uncle of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who protected his orphan nephew against the cruelty of non-Muslims of his tribe, did not enter fold of Islam despite being uncle of a prophet.

Let us then examine some reasons why prophets did not enforce the Divine faith on the people they were sent to, for they always told their people that they are only messengers to bring Divine message to them and were not in any way demagogues or brute force to change their hearts and minds by force:

• Free Will: One of the core aspects of many religious teachings is the concept of free will. People are given the choice to believe or not believe, to follow guidance or reject it. If prophets were to force people into faith, it would contradict the idea of personal choice and responsibility, which is a foundational principle in many religious frameworks.
• Role as Guides, Not Enforcers: Prophets are often seen as role models or guides, offering wisdom, guidance, and knowledge. They are not meant to force change, but to inspire through example and communication. Their role is to invite others to faith, not to coerce or compel belief.
• Test of Faith: In many religious traditions, the challenges of life and the exercise of faith are seen as tests. Prophets help people navigate these challenges, but they cannot take away the need for individuals to make their own decisions about faith.
• Respect for Human Dignity: Many traditions hold that forcing someone into faith undermines the dignity and autonomy of that individual. Genuine faith, in this view, can only come from a heart that freely chooses to believe.
• Diverse Reactions to Divine Messages: Even with clear messages and miracles, people may still respond differently to prophets. Some may embrace the message, while others may reject or distort it. This shows that belief and faith are personal and deeply influenced by a range of factors, including personal experience, culture, and inner convictions.

Let us now listen to eminent Muslim scholar of present times, Nouman Ali Khan, explaining the "why" that irritate some minds on the subject:

About Nouman Ali Khan: Born to a Pakistani family, Nouman Ali Khan is an American Muslim speaker and Arabic instructor who founded the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies, after serving as an instructor of Arabic at Nassau Community College. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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How do we lose faith - Iman إيمان

Maintaining one's faith in Allah and Islam is one of the most difficult thing to do ever sine the advent of Islam and more so in the environment we live in today. In the initial verses of Surah Al-Hadid (Chapter 57 of the Qur'an), specially verses 11-19, the mention of believers and the hypocrites is made. Why not the unbelievers, one may ask? It is because we know exactly that the unbelievers do not believe in Islam and monotheism of Allah. But the hypocrites are most dangerous for they wear two masks: An outward mask of being a Muslim and inward mask that of unbelievers.

These dual faced people are those who have weak Iman / faith إيمان and because of this they lose the rigours of tests and trials a true believer goes through. Even in times of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the hypocrites, specially in the city of Medinah, would outwardly claim to be Muslims but whenever a time of test came, they always abandoned Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and joined hands with the unbelievers.

So is the case even today. Many of the born Muslims have a very weak Iman and in their hearts there is always a tug of war going on between the truth and the otherwise. This is specially happening now with those Muslims who have gone to foreign lands and find themselves amid atheists and non believers, whose life is at tangent to the teaching of Islam. Coupled with the anti Islam propaganda, much talked of Islamophobia is taking a heavy toll on these Muslims who do not really know Islam well and get overpowered by their environment of "openness and lewdness" and start to lose their Iman. Thus they become similar to hypocrites who are outwardly Muslims, yet their hearts are far distant from the true Iman.

Let us now take a deeper look what the the initial verses of Surah Al-Hadid (Chapter 57 of the Qur'an) and see how fate of the hypocrites is being portrayed and the severe consequences on the Day of Judgement. In the initial verses, Allah reminds us of His supreme authority and dominion over all that exists, emphasizing His control over both the seen and unseen. These verses help us understand how Iman (faith) can be lost when we fail to recognize and internalize these fundamental truths. Here’s how these ideas relate:

Forgetting the Majesty of Allah

The surah begins with: "Whatever is in the heavens and earth glorifies Allah, for He is the Almighty, All-Wise." (57:1)

When a person loses sight of the constant glorification of Allah by all creation, they may begin to neglect their own relationship with Him. This forgetfulness can lead to heedlessness (ghaflah) and eventually weaken their iman, as they fail to see Allah’s presence in all aspects of life.

Becoming Detached from Allah’s Absolute Control

In verses 2-3, Allah is described as: "To Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He gives life and causes death, and He is over all things competent." (57:2)

Forgetting that Allah alone has the power to give life, death, and sustenance can lead to dependence on worldly means. When people start attributing success and failure solely to themselves or to worldly factors, they might lose faith in Allah’s ultimate plan, leading to the weakening of their reliance (tawakkul) on Him.

Neglecting the Knowledge of the Unseen

Verse 4 mentions: "He is with you wherever you are." (57:4)

A person may lose iman when they forget that Allah’s knowledge encompasses everything, including what is hidden in their hearts. Losing sight of Allah’s omnipresence can result in carelessness toward personal deeds, both inward and outward, thereby weakening faith and connection to Allah.

Being Overwhelmed by Dunya (Worldly Life)

Surah Al-Hadid later discusses how the adornments and distractions of this worldly life can delude people: "Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another..." (57:20)

When one becomes overly attached to the fleeting pleasures and distractions of the dunya, the heart becomes distant from Allah, and this attachment can lead to a gradual erosion of iman.

Plight of Hypocrites on the Day of Judgement (Verses 11-19)

Then come the warning shots as mentioned in verses 11-19. Here the comparison of the believers and hypocrites is given. On that day the true believers will have their light shining before them while the hypocrites will have their fate no different than the disbelievers and Those who spend in charity will be repaid manifold and also be given liberal reward besides it:

(57:12) On that Day you will see believing men and women that their light will be running before them and on their right hands. (They will be told): “A good tiding to you today.” There shall be Gardens beneath which rivers flow; therein they shall abide. That indeed is the great triumph.

(57:13) On that Day the hypocrites, both men and women, shall say to the believers: “Look at us that we may extract some light from your light.” They will be told: “Go back and seek light for yourselves elsewhere.” Then a wall shall be erected between them with a door in it. On the inside of it there will be mercy, and on the outside of it there will be chastisement.

Many of our Muslim brethren going astray and are heedless about the gravity of losing Iman. They are on the verge of being a believer and a hypocrite, though unknowingly. This is the subject of an informational lecture by one of the most eminent scholars of present times, Nouman Ali Khan, who talks in detail as how do we lose faith and its consequences as mentioned in Suarah Al Hadid. Please watch the video:

About Nouman Ali Khan: Born to a Pakistani family, Nouman Ali Khan is an American Muslim speaker and Arabic instructor who founded the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies, after serving as an instructor of Arabic at Nassau Community College. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.

Let us our brothers and sisters, specially those who have gone for higher studies and seeking employment un Non Muslim countries, be mindful of not losing faith despite an environment which entirely tangent to teachings of Islam. Many of our sisters immediately throw away their Hijab and enter into revealing attire and amalgamating into a life of lewdness and forgetfulness of their faith. By and by their Iman falls to a dreadful low level, which is what has been warned about.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

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For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Believers! Take a Reappraisal of your Faith - much too often

The foundation pillar of any religion hinges on firm and unwavering faith. Though many believers have this resolve embeded into them, yet adulteration injected into one's mind by fortune seeker scholars, imams and pseudo scholars sometimes taints one faith and derail them from the true path as shown in Qur'an and practically demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad sws.  In fact these adulterations in Islam have become so pronounced, specially many Asian countries, that one wonders whether one is truly following the "Original" Islam as practiced during times of Prophet Muhammad sws and the period of first four caliphs of Islam?

Like adulteration in the food or drugs by adding sub standard material making these of poor quality, the same is true for the religions. Opportunity seekers fabricate the original Divine text and give them misleading meaning and putting across cleverly to those illiterate followers, illiterate here also include otherwise well educated who have never tried to understand the religion by personal research and following some of the authenticated research work and exegesis of Qur'an.

Hereinunder are some simple questions one must keep asking oneself off and on and ascertain whether any adulteration has not entered in his mind and pulling him away from the straight path - the Siraat al Mustaqeem?

• Do I only follow the Qur'an and authentic sunnah?
• Many of us will answer in affirmative. But would it be really true since our actions and way of life is mostly tangent to commandments of Allah as contained in Qur'an and Sunnah. Many of us, specially the born Muslims, are still enslaved to following customs and traditions of bygone days that persisted before the advent of Islam.
• Do I practice Islam the way Prophet practiced?
• I feel ashamed when I watch videos that have no relevance to Islam and nor were practiced or recommended to be followed.
• The fake religious mentors indulge into practices which even non Muslims do not. These fake people dress like unmanly attire, their followers pour on them rice, chocolates, flowers or even loads of money while these recite verses from Qur'an with twisted meaning. There are these fake people who say they have currents filled in their bodies and anyone who touches them will have these holy currents transformed in to them and they will be filled with Islamic light.
• These unholy and un-Islamic teachings mostly happen in Asian countries and beside mostly illiterates, even some very well read also join in these rituals and think they have been blessed.
• Do I avoid fabricated and false Hadith (story telling)?
• Islam is a straight forward religion with clear commandments, easy to understand and follow. Yet there are people who fabricate Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad sws and turn these into stories to attract their followers. 
• Do I avoid worshipping the dead saints?
• This is one of the most dreaded menace that has crept into way of life of many countries of Asia. So called devotees flock the graves of holy men and even prostrate in front of their grave with the hope of having their wishes answered since they believe that these holy men are still alive in their graves and act as an intermediary to convey their requests to Allah.
• These shrines in fact are means of thriving business by the managers of these shrines as poor people donate their hard earned money money boxes, which amount to hundreds of thousands each day.
• Do I seek help from Allah alone as only Allah can grant us our wishes?
• Following the last point above, many believe that they cannot communicate to Allah directly and thus find intermediaries to route their requests through the mockers and fake holy men.
• Many followers of such fake holy men believe that what they are blessed with is due to their mentors who are a means of communication with Allah. 
• Those who do it, in fact step into domain of shirk as only Allah can listen to us without any intermediary as it is said in Qur'an: Allah is closer to your jugular vein, so ask me and I will answer your wishes.
• Do I practice Tawheed in its purest form and avoid shirk?
• Tawheed is the central tenet of Islamic belief, which means the oneness and uniqueness of Allah in all aspects—His Lordship, His names and attributes, and His right to be worshiped alone. To practice Tawheed in its purest form means to ensure that your belief and actions reflect complete devotion to Allah without associating partners with Him.
• The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever dies while still invoking anything other than Allah as a rival to Allah, will enter Hell." (Sahih Bukhari)
• This hadith emphasizes the seriousness of Shirk and the need to avoid it in all forms.
• Whereas Shirk is the opposite of Tawheed and is considered the gravest sin in Islam. It means associating partners with Allah or attributing to others the rights that belong solely to Allah.
• Shirk involves openly associating others with Allah in worship or believing in multiple gods. For example, praying to idols, saints, or other beings besides Allah.
• Therefore, I must ask myself do I commit shirk by praying or sacrificing for anyone besides Allah, such as dead saints or other deities?
• Do I REALLY Trust in Allah instead of Taweez / Amulets?
• Hidden Shirk is even more subtle, like relying on charms, amulets, or good luck symbols, believing they have power apart from Allah.
• Do I believe in the power of charms, superstitions, or people’s influence instead of trusting only in Allah?
• Am I performing my prayers regularly and with sincerity? 
• Prayer / As Salat is obligatory five times a day on all adult, sane and healthy man and woman in Islam. It is to be ascertained whether we pray to Allah to please Him or do we offer prayer as a show off so that people consider us a pious and devoted man?

In view of the above, every Muslim must take a reappraisal of his or her faith through a process of deep reflection, self-examination, and spiritual growth. Reappraising faith means taking a sincere look at one's beliefs, actions, and connection with Allah, and striving for improvement in light of Islamic teachings. Here are some steps and ways to undertake a meaningful reappraisal of one's faith:

Reflect on the Purpose of Life (Tafakkur)

Islam emphasizes constant reflection on the purpose of life, the hereafter, and the role of faith in guiding daily decisions. A Muslim should ask themselves, "Why am I here? What is my ultimate purpose?"

• Quranic Reflection: 
• Surah Al-Mulk (67:2): “He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed…”
• Reflecting on these questions helps Muslims realign their actions and intentions with the ultimate goal of pleasing Allah and preparing for the hereafter.

Evaluate Your Connection with Allah (Taqwa)

Taqwa (God-consciousness) is the cornerstone of a believer's relationship with Allah. A Muslim should assess how conscious they are of Allah’s presence in their life. This can be done by evaluating one's worship (such as prayer, fasting, and charity) and reflecting on the sincerity of one's intentions.

• Questions for reflection:
• How often do I remember Allah (through dhikr and prayer)?
• Am I performing my prayers regularly and with sincerity?
• Am I conscious of Allah in my private and public life?
• Quranic Reflection: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:2): "This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah."

Reassess Your Deeds (Muhasabah)

Muhasabah refers to self-accountability or taking oneself to account. This means regularly reflecting on one’s actions and deeds to determine whether they align with Islamic teachings.

• Hadith Reflection: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The wise person is the one who holds himself accountable and works for what comes after death.” (Tirmidhi)
• Regularly asking oneself:
• Am I fulfilling my obligations to Allah, such as prayer, fasting, and charity (zakat)?
• Am I being kind, just, and merciful in my dealings with others?
• Am I seeking to avoid sins, both major and minor?

This form of daily self-reflection allows a Muslim to stay on the path of righteousness and constantly improve their character and actions.

Seek Knowledge (Tafaqquh)

To take a meaningful reappraisal of faith, a Muslim should seek knowledge of the Quran, Sunnah, and Islamic teachings. The more one understands the depth of the religion, the easier it becomes to practice it with conviction.

• Hadith Reflection: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Ibn Majah)
• Seeking knowledge can involve:
• Studying the Quran and reflecting on its meanings.
• Learning about the life and example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• Reading about Islamic ethics, morality, and spiritual development.

Renew Intentions (Niyyah)

Islam places great emphasis on the intention (niyyah) behind actions. A Muslim should regularly reassess their intentions to ensure they are seeking Allah’s pleasure in everything they do.

• Hadith Reflection: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Actions are but by intentions, and every man shall have only that which he intended.” (Sahih Bukhari)
• Evaluate whether daily actions, work, and worship are being done purely for Allah's sake, or whether there are worldly distractions. Correcting one’s intentions can renew one’s faith and bring them closer to Allah.

Strengthen Acts of Worship (Ibadah)

Acts of worship are the pillars of faith. A Muslim should reassess the quality and consistency of their worship:

• Prayer (Salah): Are my prayers focused, and am I performing them on time?
• Fasting (Sawm): Am I observing fasts beyond Ramadan for spiritual growth?
• Charity (Zakat and Sadaqah): Am I giving in charity, and am I conscious of the needs of others?
• Supplication (Dua): How often do I turn to Allah for guidance and help?
• Quranic Reflection: "And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me." Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186):

Correct and Purify the Heart

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the condition of the heart in relation to faith. A Muslim should take time to cleanse their heart of pride, jealousy, anger, and arrogance. Faith resides in the heart, and its purification is critical for sincere belief.

• Hadith Reflection: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Verily in the body is a piece of flesh which, if sound, the whole body is sound, and if corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Truly it is the heart.” (Sahih Bukhari)
• Reappraising faith requires checking for spiritual diseases in the heart and striving to fill the heart with love for Allah, gratitude, humility, and sincerity.

Repent and Seek Forgiveness (Tawbah)

Islam emphasizes the importance of continuous repentance (tawbah). A Muslim must regularly seek Allah’s forgiveness for past sins and make sincere efforts to avoid repeating them.

• Quranic Reflection: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" Surah Az-Zumar (39:53)
• True repentance involves recognizing one’s mistakes, feeling genuine regret, and making a firm intention not to return to those sins.

Evaluate Relationships with Others

Islam places great emphasis on the rights of others, such as family, friends, and society. A Muslim should reassess their relationships with others to ensure they are fulfilling their obligations.

• Hadith Reflection: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Sahih Bukhari)
• Are you treating others with kindness, fairness, and respect? Are you maintaining ties of kinship (silat ar-rahm)? Taking stock of relationships helps in spiritual growth.

Engage in Community Service

Part of reappraising one’s faith is looking at one’s role in the broader Muslim community and society. Serving others and being an active member of the community is highly encouraged in Islam.

• Hadith Reflection: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others." (Tabarani)
• Engaging in acts of charity and service not only helps others but also strengthens personal faith by acting on Islamic values.

Set Spiritual Goals and Plan for Improvement

Once a reappraisal of faith is complete, it’s essential to set practical spiritual goals for improvement. This could include:

• Increasing the amount of Quran read daily.
• Performing voluntary prayers (Sunnah and Nafl).
• Engaging more in remembrance of Allah (dhikr).
• Improving character by being more patient, forgiving, or charitable.
• Setting achievable goals and striving to improve consistently helps deepen faith and maintain closeness to Allah.

You may like to listen to a very informative lecture by eminent scholar Dr. Omar Suleiman on the subject of How To Practice Daily Self Accountability:

Reappraising one’s faith in Islam is a continual process of self-reflection, worship, and spiritual growth. It involves evaluating one’s relationship with Allah, reassessing deeds, improving intentions, and ensuring that actions align with Islamic principles. Through sincere reflection, repentance, and striving to improve, a Muslim can renew their faith and strengthen their bond with Allah, ultimately fulfilling the purpose of life in a more meaningful and dedicated way.

So when do we start our reappraisal, brothers and sisters in Islam?

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎)  help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: Compiled verses from Qur'an on specific subjects: Faith in Allah 

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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A verse from Qur'an that captures the profound faith of a believer in the face of adversity

Entering into a faith is easier, though not much, but standing firm on the faith is much more difficult and hard to withstand the opposition from one's previous clan. It becomes more difficult if the chieftain of the previous clan is a demagogue, treacherous and cruel, specially when is still among his previous clan. The torture of changing faith is unending and in most cases leading to death. Yet there are people who attain such a high standard of faith that they are unafraid of the threats and stand firm on their newly accepted faith. 

Entering into a Divine religion has never been easy. Those who followed the prophets of Allah always had to stand test to the some of the harshest means of torture even at the cost of their lives. The same is true even today when defending one's beliefs can draw wrath of those of other beliefs. Many a men have been tortured and killed by the tyrant rulers or even by armies for killing prisoners of wars for not divulging the information sought from them.

With this premise, let us share a very meaningful verse, the 44th verse from Surah 40 Al Mu'min in which a person with firm belief has stands to his faith in the court of the Pharaoh and despite knowing his fate, he calls upon others to oppose the tyranny of the despot and follow the faith as preached by Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him):

فَسَتَذۡكُرُوۡنَ مَاۤ اَقُوۡلُ لَـكُمۡؕ وَاُفَوِّضُ اَمۡرِىۡۤ اِلَى اللّٰهِؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بَصِيۡرٌۢ بِالۡعِبَادِ‏ 

(40:44) Soon you shall remember what I say to you. I entrust my affairs to Allah. Surely Allah is watchful over His servants.”

This verse clearly shows that while saying all this the Believer was certain that he would have to bear the brunt of the wrath of the entire kingdom of Pharaoh in consequence of his speaking the truth, and that he would have to lose all his honors and privileges, even his life. But in spite of knowing all this he performed his duty only with his trust in Allah, according to the call of his conscience, on this critical occasion. 

Let us look deeper into the meaning of this verse and see what can we learn from it when confronted with a tyrant ruler to defend our faith:

• Context of the Verse: The verse is part of the speech made by the believing man in Pharaoh's court who was trying to advise his people not to oppose Moses and to reflect on the consequences of rejecting the truth. He was urging them to think critically about their actions and the potential repercussions of denying a prophet of Allah.
• A Warning and a Reminder: The phrase, “And you will remember what I [now] say to you,” indicates a warning that, in the future, they will recall the advice he is giving them. It implies that his words will resonate with them later, especially when they see the consequences of their rejection of Moses and the truth.
• Entrusting Matters to Allah: The believer then says, “I entrust my affair to Allah,” showing his complete trust and reliance on Allah’s wisdom, protection, and justice. This statement reflects a deep sense of faith, recognizing that ultimate control and judgment belong to Allah, especially when facing adversity or opposition.
• Allah Sees His Servants: The statement, “Indeed, Allah is Seeing of [His] servants,” reassures that Allah is fully aware of all actions, intentions, and the challenges faced by His servants. It serves as a reminder that Allah is just and will reward or punish based on people's deeds, whether they are hidden or open.

Lessons from the Verse

• Relying on Allah in Times of Distress: This verse teaches believers the importance of placing their trust in Allah, especially when faced with opposition, persecution, or when their efforts to guide others are rejected. By entrusting their affairs to Allah, they recognize that He is the best disposer of all matters.
• Patience and Perseverance: The believer’s calm demeanor in entrusting his affair to Allah shows the importance of patience and perseverance when striving to uphold the truth. Even when people oppose or mock one’s efforts, maintaining faith and composure is crucial.
• Divine Justice and Accountability: The verse emphasizes that Allah is always watching over His servants, and nothing escapes His knowledge. This serves as a comfort to the believers and a warning to those who reject the truth—that their actions are not unseen, and they will be held accountable.

Supporting Hadith and Teachings

The message of this verse is echoed in several hadiths that encourage reliance on Allah and trust in His wisdom.

• Hadith on Trusting Allah: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever puts his trust in Allah, Allah will suffice him.”

This hadith reflects the same sentiment expressed by the believer in the verse—placing full trust in Allah is the key to finding solace and strength in difficult times.

• Hadith on Reliance in Adversity: The Prophet also taught that believers should have reliance on Allah, even when facing hardship:

“If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due, you would be given provision like the birds: they go out in the morning hungry and return full.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2344)

This underscores the idea that entrusting one’s affairs to Allah brings about divine support and assistance, just as the believer in Pharaoh’s court expressed in his speech.

Broader Implications of the Verse

• Standing Up for Truth: The believer’s stance teaches us the value of standing up for the truth, even when surrounded by disbelief and opposition. It emphasizes that, regardless of the response from others, one’s commitment to Allah’s guidance should not waver.
• Hope and Assurance in Divine Wisdom: This verse provides hope and assurance to those who face adversity for their faith, reminding them that Allah is aware of their struggles and will reward their patience and steadfastness.
• Reminder of the Afterlife: By warning his people that they will remember his words, the believer is indirectly reminding them of accountability in the Hereafter. It reflects the broader Islamic principle that every action will be recalled and judged by Allah.

The above quoted verse captures the profound faith of a believer in the face of adversity and opposition. It teaches the importance of entrusting all matters to Allah, maintaining patience, and upholding the truth regardless of external pressures. The verse serves as both a warning to those who reject guidance and a comforting reminder to those who rely on Allah, that He is ever-watchful and just in His dealings with His servants.

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our exclusive page: Compiled verses from Qur'an on Specific Subjects: Faith in Allah for more verses from Qur'an on the subject.

You may also refer to our Selected verses from Sūrahs of Qur'an to highlight important topics with detailed explanation and Reference Page on Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 

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