Sahar-ul-Nisa Haroon
Imaan (Faith) means to believe in the heart, state through the tongue and to act with the limb. It has a tendency to increase by good deeds and decrease by bad ones. There are various virtues of Imaan like good life, guidance, stability in this world and hereafter, peace and satisfaction.
“Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while he or she is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism), verily to him shall We give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e Paradise in the Hereafter) — (surah Nahl: 97).
Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who are Zâlimun (polytheists and wrong-doers etc), and Allah does what He wills – ( surah Ibrahim: 27).
“No doubt! Verily, the Auliya or friends of Allah (i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of Allah and fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained), no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve.
Those who believed, and used to fear Allah much – For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present world, and in the Hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allah, this is indeed the supreme success” — (surah Younis: 62-64).
The first and foremost pillar of Imaan is Imaan-Bi-Allah. Having ‘faith in Allah’ means to believe with certainty and conviction the Existence, Oneness of Allah.
Existence of Allah may be proven by Fitrah (one’s natural inclination), intellect, legislation, senses. Every created being is naturally inclined to have faith in his Creator without any prior influence or education. “Were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]?” Allah has mentioned intellectual evidence in Surah Al-Tur: 35.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says “There is no child but it is born upon the Fitrah, but its parents make them a Jew, a Christian or a Zoroastrian.”(Recorded by Al-Bukhari).
All the Heavenly Books express the existence of Allah, as well as the judgment in them, containing what is beneficial for creation, as evidence that they have come from a Lord Who is Wise, Knowledgeable about what is in the best interest of his creation.
What we hear and witness of the supplication being granted to those who supplicate and seek relief in adversity proves His existence. Allah the exalted says: (Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you – (surah Al-Anfal: 9).
The signs and Miracles given to Prophets, which are witnessed or heard of by the people, are definitive proofs of the existence of Allah. Example: Miracle of splitting moon into two parts.
‘The Three Pillars’
Oneness of Allah—oneness in Arabic is “wahadah” which means “to make something only one”. And this oneness is not actualized except with a negation and affirmation. The belief in oneness of Allah consists of three parts Rububiyah (lordship), Uluhiyyah (divinity), Asma-o-Sifat (names and attributions).
The belief in Allah’s Rububiyah means singling out Allah with creating, ownership, and control of Affairs. Allah Said “He merges the night into day (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the night are added to the hours of the day), and He merges the day into the night (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the day are added to the hours of the night). And He has subjected the sun and the moon, each runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone)— surah Fatir: 13.
The belief in Allah’s Uluhiyyah (divinity) means to believe that Allah alone deserves to be worshipped. All that is worshipped other than Him is falsely worshipped.
The belief in Allah’s names and attributions means believing in Allah and His names and attributes in the way that is taught to us in Quran and Sunnah. And in the way that is appropriate for Allah. So we affirm what Allah affirmed for Himself and what His Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) affirmed.
“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them. The Verses increase their faith; and they put their trust in their Lord Alone) – surah Al-anfal: 2.
So believe – in Allah’s lordship, His divinity and names and attributions.
(The author is a research scholar at Aligarh Muslim University. This article is the first part of a series on Islam. You may also contribute and send your write ups to [email protected])
