Imaan

Brief outline of the correct understanding of “Imaan” as held by Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah. Refutation of beliefs of those who opposed this correct understanding

The word Imaan meaning faith has best been explained in the Hadith of Jibrael (a.s). One cannot be a Muslim if he does not believe in the 5 Articles of Faith. It has to be testified from the tongue, affirmed within the heart & confirmed by doing good deeds. Therefore Imaan is a combination of inward & outward acts.

Hadith of Jibrael (a.s)

Angel Jibrael asked the Messenger (pbuh),"Inform me about iman (faith)" He answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadar), both in its good and in its evil aspects." He said, "You have spoken truly."[1]

Components of Imaan

Imaan is to maintain unity in Allahs Lordship, names & attributes & in His worship, to believe that Angels exist & are created by Allah(swt), those which have been mentioned by name & to believe in the tasks that are assigned to them, to believe in all the Prophets & Messengers, to believe in the coming of the Day of Reckoning & to believe in Qadar (predestination) which is that Allah(swt) has already pre ordained & written about everything that is to happen & by supplication of the person his Qadr can be changed.

Allah(swt) says in the Quran:

“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers."[2]

Ahl Al Sunnah Wal Jammah & Other Sects

It is important to understand everything in light of the Quran & Sunnah. The Khawarijs believe that deeds are a component of Imaan & if a person commits a major sin then he loses his imaan & becomes a disbeliever. This is an incorrect belief because the Quran has laid down punishment for major sins like adultery & the only sin that Allah(swt) will not forgive is Shirk & others He may forgive.

The Prophet (p) said:

“When a person commits illegal sexual intercourse, Imaan leaves him & remains above his head awning. When he discontinues this illegal behavior, Imaan comes back to him.”[3]

The Mutazilites believe that a person who does a major sin does not become a disbeliever but he will be in Hell forever. Ahl al Sunnah believes that one will be punished for major sins or forgiven on the basis of his repentance. A muslim with even a small amount of Imaan will be taken out of Hell fire.

The Prophet(p) said:

“Allah will admit the people into Paradise or hell & then He will say, “Look for anyone who has the weight of a mustard seed of Imaan in his heart, and bring him out.”[4]

The Murjites believe Imaan includes deeds of the heart but not that of the body & that deeds are just fruit of one’s faith. Ahl al Sunnah believes that one cannot have imaan if he believes in Allah(swt) & the Prophet(p) but refuses to follow their commandments by doing the good deeds. If Imaan is merely a statement  & no actions then it is disbelief.

Allah(swt) says in the Quran:

“And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow..”[5]

The majority of the Maturidis believe that the deeds of the heart are not part of Imaan, only the beliefs in the heart & statement of the tongue. Some even exclude the statement by the tongue. Both of the Murjites & Maturidis believe that faith doesn’t increase or decrease.

The Jahmites believe that Imaan is simply knowledge of Allah(swt), the Asharites & many maturidis believe that Imaan is affirmation by the heart but exludes deeds & the Murjites believe that Imaan includes not just affirmation within the heart but also the deeds of the heart but no other deeds. The Karamites believe that Imaan is just by the testifying of the tongue.

Ahl Al Sunnah believes that Imaan increases or decreases depending on your surroundings, the quality of your sincerity & deeds. One cannot expect his imaan to be the same at all times.

Hanzala Usayyidi went to Allahs Messenger & said “I have turned to be a hypocrite for when I am with you talking about the hereafter the Imaan is at a different level but when I am at home these things go out of our minds.” Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said:  if your state of mind remains the same as it is in my presence and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allah), the Angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your paths..”[6]

“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”[7]

One cannot just believe in the heart & not testify with his tongue. For if this was the case Abu Talib who knew that Islam was the very truth who refused to testify it with his tongue would have been blessed with Jannah. Because of this belief scholars consider the Jahmites to be out of the fold of Islam.

Abu Talib once said, “I know that the religion of Muhammad, is the best of all the religions of mankind, Were I not to be scolded & abused, I would have confessed it openly.”[8]

The Belief of the Karamites is also against the belief of Ahl al Sunnah because if a person testifies with his tongue but his heart does not affirm then he is a hypocrite. Hypocrites will be in the deepest part of hell fire.

Ibn Abu Izz said:

“According to them hypocrites are perfect believers. But they will suffer the punishment which Allah has promised for them. Thus they contradict themselves.”[9]

Allah(swt)says in the Quran

“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire - and never will you find for them a helper”[10]

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[1]  (no.2, Imam Nawawis 40 Hadith- Hadith)

[2] (Surah Baqra)

[3] (Al-Tirmidhi )

[4] (Muslim)

[5] (International)

[6] (Sahih Muslim)

[7] (www.Quran.com, Surah Anfal:2)

[8] (Zarbozo)

[9] (Ibn Abu al Izz, Volume 2, pg460)

[10] (www.Quran.com, 4:145)