Definition of ‘Ilm “Science”: “Science” means the vehicle of knowing things as they truly are.

Linguistically: “Iman” is an Arabic noun related to the verbs “’amina” and “’aamana”, both being composed of the three consonants: the glottal stop (’), m and n, as Ibn Faris said. The two utterances are related in meaning, in that one means honesty which is the opposite of treachery and it implies the tranquility of the heart, the other means believing. The two meanings are closely related. In the sense of believing the word accurs in the Quran, quoting the saying of the brothers of Yusuf (Peace be upon him) to their father Jacob (Peace be upon him): “But you will never believe us even though we tell the truth.” (XII:17)

The word is used to mean “believing”, i.e. the linguistic sense as in the Verse (XII: 17) above.The Qur’an expresses the meaning of “Iman” with the word “Yaqin”and its derivatives, as in the saying of Allah (SWT): “And in the Hereafter they ‘Yuqinun’ (have firm belief).” (II: 4) And as Allah (SWT) says: “So also we show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens, and the earth so that he may be (one) of the ‘Muqinin’ (firm in belief)”. (VI: 75)

Believing and “Yaqin” (firm belief or faith) are two performances of the heart. Some scholars define Iman as something pronounced and done and call this the speech of the heart. This meaning which is in the heart is contrasted with disbelief (kufr) which is rejection and accusation of telling lies. Some scholars see that this meaning in the heart is the only meaning of Iman.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “I have been commanded to fight people till they say ‘There is no god but Allah…” This implies that Iman can be revealed through speech. It is known that a disbeliever cannot be said to be a Muslim unless he has announced the two Testimonies (Recognizining tne Oneness of Allah and the Message of His Messenger). If he is dumb, something else may be accepted from him as a clue to his Iman (belief).

Allah (SWT) also says: “ Only those are believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their person in the Cause of Allah: such are the sincere ones.”(XLIX: 15)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (Iman is of seventy odd or sixty odd branches (traits); the best being the saying of La ilaha illa Allah and the lowest the removal of harmful things from the road.) The removal of harmful things from the road is a deed. The hadith goes on: (and modesty is a branch (trait) of Iman.) The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (The believers who have the most perfect Iman are those who have the best behavior) And behavior involves deeds.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said to the delegates of ‘Abd Qays: (I order you to believe in Allah! Do you know what belief in Allah is? It is the testimony (shahadah) that there is no god but Allah, performing the prayers, giving the zakat and giving one-fifth of the booty) Performing the prayers, giving the zakat and giving the one-fifth are all deeds covered by the term “Iman”.

From the discussion above we find out that Iman is belief in the heart, testimony (shahadah) with the tongue and performing the pillars (of Islam), as most Muslim scholars say.

It is the Science that is concerned with verifying religions beliefs with unquestionable intellectual and transmitted proofs and evidence that would eliminate any doubts. It is the science that reveals the unbeliever’s falsities, misgivings and lies. It causes one to be at comfort and satisfied. It also deals with the sayings and deeds that confirm faith and increase it and those that decrease it or undermine it, and determines the factors affecting all that.

The Science of Iman involves the following fields:

The merit of every science matches the merit of its subject and the field it deals with. If medicine is more praiseworthy than carpentry, it is because the subject matter of carpentry is wood and that of medicine is human bodies. The merit of the science of Iman derives from the merits of the fields of its (above-mentioned) research. And who can be greater than the Creator of the Universe? Who among human beings can be more honorable than Allah’s Messengers? What is more significant than man’s knowing his religion, the purpose of his existence in this life and the fate waiting for him after his death? Therefore, the science of Iman is the core of all Islamic sciences and the best and most important of all.

Learning the Science of Iman is obligatory on every Muslim, male and female, so that both may have firm belief and intellectual conviction that they are following the true religion.

The amount of science that causes a person to reach the degree of firm conviction is what is obligatory on him to acquire, so that if he misses anything thereof, he is regarded as not fulfilling that particular obligation.

If a person should have a misgiving arousing doubt in his faith, it would be obligatory on him personally to get rid of that doubt and search for an answer to refute it. Any additional knowledge would be obligatory only on some of the members of the Muslim Society. Such knowledge would involve, for example, how to argue against philosophical and deviant sects, or to know all the arguments against the followers of corrupted religions, or know in detail the large number of proofs related to the creation of the heavens and the earth. All that is obligatory on some individuals in the Muslim Community who should know it, so that if a Jew, a philosopher or a deviant person, etc. should forge a misgiving, there should be somebody among us who would refute it. A person who may have one of such misgivings should learn the knowledge with which to get rid of it. Allah (SWT) says: “Only those are believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted.” (XLIX: 15) Allah (SWT) also says: “Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah.” (XLVII: 19) Allah (SWT) also says: “Is then one who does know that which has been revealded to you from your Lord is the Truth, like one who is blind?” (XIII: 19)

So, the amount of knowledge that makes you attain this degree of firm conviction is obligatory on you.

The main fundamental topic of the Holy Qur’an is the Science of Iman. You hardly find a page in the Book of Allah where you find no invitation to believe in Allah, His Messengers, the Hereafter, the angels, the previous Divine Books, the predestination which is the law according to which the affairs of the Universe are conducted, refutation of the disbelievers’ misgivings, mentioning such sayings and deeds as would enhance belief or undermine it, or showing what is related to worshipping Allah alone. The Meccan portion of the Qur’an, which had been revealed, before the Prophet’s eemigration to Medina, for thirteen years, was almost entirely about Faith (Iman) and what is related to it.

Muslims are interested in this science because the Holy Qur’an itself emphasizes it and gives it primary priority; that is, through the evidence and proofs that the science of Iman presents to fix firm conviction and appeal to people to believe, worship Allah sincerely, reject and oppose whatever contradicts Faith. Muslims’ interest in it continued for a long time, and then the Science of Iman was influenced by scholastic theology, philosophy, imitation, and finally indifference. Then Muslims were invaded by the misgivings and suspicions invented by secularism and atheism.

When Muslims neglected the sound structure of Iman which is based on knowledge, evidence and proofs that would lead to firm conviction, the belief of many of them began to waver and their conduct began to deteriorate and that was reflected as weakness in their worship, morals and behavior. Then corruption worsened so that their enemies easily overcame them, occupied their countries and humiliated them in their own land and homes.

Those who do not believe in Allah, and do not hope to receive rewards from Him and do not fear His punishment, do whatever they do without intending to please Allah. Thus they do not deserve any rewards for their deeds, for they do them without intending to please Allah. Rather, a disbeliever will be punished for his disbelief and his being astray, because he has refused to respond to Allah’s Religion or disbelieved in it, and on hearing Allah’s Verses recited he ridiculed them. Therefore, he will be punished for his disbelief and his deeds will be rejected.

Allah (SWT) says: “And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did (in this life), and We shall make such deeds as floating dust scattered about,” (XXV: 23) i.e. weightless and valueles. Allah (SWT) also says: “The parable of those who disbelieve in their Lord, their deeds are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a tempestuous day: no power have they over anything they have earned. That is the straying far, far (from the goal).” (XIV: 18).

So the charitable deeds and humanitarian deeds are all added to the believer’s credit on the Day of Resurrection, whereas they are all lost to the disbelievers and ignored and not added to their credit. All their deeds will be treated as floating dust scattered about, for they are not based on faith and are not intended to please Allah.

Allah (SWT) says: “but the unbelievers, their deeds are like a mirage in a sandy desert, which a man parched with thirst mistakes for water; until when he comes up to it, he finds it nothing but he finds Allah (ever) with him, and Allah will pay him his account. And Allah is swift in taking account.” (XXIV: 39)

Some of those lured and charmed by the illusions and transient luxuries of life would say: “How is it that Allah will not reward such persons as the discoverer of electricity, the inventor of the plane, the inventor of drugs, a doctor treating patients and relieving their pains, the constructor of roads, the builders of high buildings, and the doers of great deeds, while the person who is confined within the mosque, offering nothing of use to humanity, will be rewarded and admitted into Paradise, and the other is admitted into Hell? Is this fair?

This is a misgiving many people are afflicted by! It seems they want to say: “Since you have done well and benefited people and done good deeds, Allah (SWT) will accept all that from you and reward you for it!!”

So, they imagine reward and punishment according to norms they have established from their own selves and want to impose on Allah!

Suppose a man entered an orchard he did not own and found therein fruits and all types of food. He ate and drank and started carrying out deeds inside the orchard. He plucked out one tree and planted another; he pulled down a wall and filled up a ditch, and changed some lanes.

Another man entered the orchard and said to himself: “I will do nothing before I talk to the owner of the orchard or his representative.” He set out looking for him, and there came the representative of the owner of the orchard upon them. The representative disapproved of the deeds of the first person, who ignored his disapproval and went on working in the orchard without the owner’s leave. The second person heeded the instructions of the owner’s representative and worked accordingly. Who would then be entitled to obtain the reward?

Would the person who trespassed upon the orchard and ignored the instructions of the owner of the orchard conveyed by his representative, deserve any reward, even if he had done a good deed in the orchard? No doubt, a sensible person would say: “The reward should be the lot of the one who followed the instructions of the owner of the orchard.” In contrast, the person who trespassed upon the orchard and worked in it as he wished regardless of the owner’s consent, in spite of being warned, will no doubt deserve no reward, but he will deserve punishment even if he performed some good deeds.

Similarly, the earth and whatever on it belong to Allah (SWT); His Messengers are compared to the agents or representatives; the believer is the one who behaves according to His Lord’s Guidance; the disbeliever is that who disposes of his Lord’s property without a leave or guidance and meanwhile is heedless of his Lord’s Messengers. How can Allah’s reward be expected to be bestowed on a person who has not hoped to receive such a reward from his Lord, disdained His Messengers, slighted his Creator’s guidance and turned away from it, and committed such sins and deeds of disobedience as Allah has forbidden?

Allah’s ruling in respect of these disbelievers is that they are rewarded for their good deeds only in this life. Allah (SWT) says: “Whosoever desires the life of this world and its glitter, to them we shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there will be nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire, and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect will be that which they used to do.” (XI: 15-16)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (Allah does not ignore a good deed performed be a believer; rather he is recompensed for it in this life and will be rewarded for it in the Hereafter. The unbeliever, on the other hand, is fed for the good deeds he does therein for the sake of Allah, but when he arrives at the Hereafter he will find no good deed to be rewarded for.)

Al-Qurtubi, on interpreting the saying of Allah (SWT): “Say: ‘Spend (in Allah’s Cause) willingly or unwillingly, it will not be accepted from you. Verily you are rebellious (disobedient) people.’” (IX: 53) said: “Calling what a disbeliever does ‘a good deed’ is just from the viewpoint of the disbeliever himself; otherwise, none of his deeds can be regarded as a good deed in the Sight of Allah because it lacks the necessary requirement, which is belief or faith (Iman).”

Whoever wants to embrace Islam should enter through the gate of the two Testimonies. The announcement of the testimony (shahadah) of La ilaha illa Allah (There is no deity deserving worship but Allah) means that the one who says it is sure and firmly believes that this Universe has a Creator Who has brought it into existence, organized it and precisely designed it; that the Creator is One God Who has no partner and Who alone deserves to be worshipped and that none else deserves the same; that the one who says it is one of Allah’s creatures and a slave of His.

The announcement of the testimony (shahadah) that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is Allah’s Messenger means that the one who says it firmly believes that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger, whom Allah sent with the guidance and the true religion that shows what is lawful and what is unlawful, what pleases Allah and what invokes His wrath, and shows the sort of worship He has ordained. By following Muhammad (Peace be upon him) the one who says the testimony (shahadah) obeys Allah. However, if you do not know well the significance and signification of the testimony (shahadah), your testimony (shahadah) will be that of an imitator. It is required from a new convert to Islam that his initiation be in the form of a testimony (shahadah), to realize that he should be fully sure of the meaning of what he says. The meaning of “I certify”, is “I know definitely and assuredly”, so that every new convert to Islam may realize that he announces a testimony (shahadah) based on decisive unquestionable knowledge.

Some scholars regard the imitator’s belief as invalid and their evidence is the Saying of Allah (SWT): “And that man can have nothing but what he strives for.” (LIII:39) They say that an imitator has not striven to obtain faith; therefore, he has no faith, for if the person he imitates should turn into a disbeliever, he would do the same.The majority of scholars disagree with them, saying that the imitator’s belief is to be accepted as valid, because faith (or Iman) is originally innate, for Allah (SWT) has created people inculcated with it. So, the imitator just imitates something whose origin he owns.

The evidence that shows that the origin of the innate faith in Islam is Allah’s Saying: “Set your face steadily and truly to the religion, worshipping none but Allah. Such is the pattern on which He has created mankind.” (XXX: 30)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (Every newborn is born as a monotheistic Muslim (innately), but its parents (may make it a Jew, a Christian or a Magian…)

However, all scholars say that the acquision of such evidence and knowledge as would lead to faith is obligatory on each Muslim, whether male or female.Allah (SWT) says: “Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for your fault and for the men and women who believe: for Allah knows how you move about and how you dwell in your houses.” (XLVII: 19) Allah (SWT) also says: “Is then one who does know that that which has been revealed to you from your Lord is the Truth, like one who is blind? It is those who are endued with understanding that are heedful.” (XIII: 19)

Faith yields ripe fruits and gracious results which believers enjoy in this life. The most important of them are the following:

Those are the most obvious consequences of faith in this life. Whoever has true faith and fully observes its obligations will enjoy such good fruits himself as well as the society where faith is realized, as was the case with Al-Sahabah (the Companions) and Al-Tabi’in (next generation) and those who came after them and followed their example.

He whose faith has got weaker or who has lost some of the features of faith will not enjoy these fruits, as is observed in the life of Muslims today.

When Muslims return to Allah sincerely and renew their faith and stabilize it, they will surly obtain these great fruits, besides the great rewards awaiting them in the life to come.

Allah (SWT) says: “Is then one who does know that which has been revealed to you from your Lord is the Truth, like one who is blind? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.” (XIII: 19)

So, the unbeliever lives like a blind man in this life; he does not know why he was created and what is the purpose of his existence on earth. He leaves this life without knowing why he started living. Allah (SWT) says: “While those who reject faith will enjoy (this world) and eat as cattle eat, and the Fire will be their abode.” (XLVII:12)

This is the result of rejecting faith. Allah (SWT) says: “Those who do not believe in the Signs of Allah--Allah will not guide them, and theirs will be a grievous penalty.” (XVI: 104)

He who lives without faith roams aimlessly in darkness. Allah (SWT) says: “Can he who was dead, to whom we gave life and a light where-by he can walk amongst people, be like him who is in the depths of darkness from which he can never come out? Thus, to those without faith their own deeds seem pleasing.” (VI: 122)

I had an argument with Professor Christopher Ballis, a famous British physician. I wanted to prove to him that he, in the view of his infidel civilization, was meaner than his own shoes.

Such confusion, disorientation and perplexity in which such people live are expressed by a poet in a poem he calls Al-Talasim (mysterious things), which reflects their deep perplexity:

That is the essence of loss, misdirection and straying; it is the case of confusion, ignorance and inattention to the facts of life, which characterizes the state in which these unbelievers live. Allah (SWT) says: “Verily Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to Gardens beneath which rivers flow; while those who reject faith will enjoy (this world) and eat as cattle eat; and the Fire will be their abode.” (XLVII:12)

Another consequence of this straying is corruption on earth, for he who does not know his Lord, or His Guidance, will behave badly and will not distinguish between right deeds and wrong deeds.

Do you not notice that people cannot use tools and appliances properly except through following the instructions of their manufacturers? So, man cannot know the appropriate ways to use anything Allah has created except through the instructions of its Creator. Allah (SWT) says: “Those who break Allah’s Covenant after it is ratified, and who sunder what Allah has ordered to be joined and do mischief on earth: These cause loss (only) to themselves.” (II: 27)

Humanity has suffered from the errors of philosophical ideas that aimed, as claimed by their inventors, to make people happy. Such ideas have inflicted disasters and calamities upon humanity, which is still suffering from them. Such experimental ideas are represented by Fascism, Socialism, Nazism, and Capitalism. The traces of the failure of those movements have appeared in the economic, social, political, moral, psychological and security aspects of life. This is the result of deviation from Faith.

He who does not believe in the life to come is deceived by this life. His only aim would be achieving the greatest amount of his personal interests and pleasures before dying. He would not hesitate to harm others in order to realize his interests and desires. Thus this selfishness would dismember the society and destroy it, for the desires and greed of human beings have no limits, as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) says: “Should man have two valleys filled with wealth he would wish a third, and nothing would fill man’s abdomen except dust. And Allah will forgive those who repent.”All that is on earth is not enough to meet the desires of just some people, let alone all the people in the world who number billions.

Struggle among people cannot be avoided except via two channels:

Operating on all people to remove the potential greed in them, or

Creating enough land to satisfy the desires of every person born on this earth.

This struggle cannot be avoided except through man’s belief in Allah (SWT) and his belief that Allah has prepared for His faithful servants another abode where they would obtain whatever they desire, as Allah (SWT) says: “ …There will be there all that the souls could desire, the eyes could delight in, and you shall abide therein for ever.” (XLIII: 70), and his belief that this life is a transit camp, not a permanent residence. Then the relationship of competition changes into one of cooperation, brotherhood and love, which is the decisive remedy for the problem. Think of the Caliph in the early era of Islam: how he used to stay awake at night while people were asleep; of the merchant who was offered five times the price of his goods in the year of famine but the refused, saying: “ I present them (i.e. the goods) as a gift to the treasury of Muslims”, and of the companion who, when the Prophet (Peace be upon him) decreed that the emigrants and Ansar be considered as brothers, offered that his assigned brother share him half his family and wealth with him.

Now compare this with the state of those who go astray in darkness, like the communists, who justify the struggle for more gains and pleasures by describing it as a holy struggle, and the capitalists, who justify the struggle arguing that “ Only the best are to exist!”

While a believer leads a good happy life, an unbeliever leads a hard wretched life because of his disbelief, even if has owned plenty of worldly pleasures. Allah (SWT) says: “But whosoever turns away from my Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down and we shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgement.” ( XX: 124)

Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them both) describes this sort of life as wretchedness; while Ibn Kathir says: “The narrowed life is the life characterized by lack of security, discomfort and distress due to his straying, even if he is apparently well-off and prosperous.”

This is true in the disbelieving societies where we find wretchedness, restlessness and depression in spite of worldly prosperity; there, suicides and patients suffering from mental and psychological ailments are in large numbers. Faith only is the cure. Allah (SWT) says: “ Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah; for, without doubt, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” (XIII: 28)

Allah (SWT) punishes unbelievers, hypocrites and deviant people in this life by making them suffer from calamities and general and private hardships affecting property and persons, etc. Allah (SWT) says: “ But when they forgot the warning they had received We opened to them the gates of all (good) things, until, in the midst of their enjoyment of our gifts, on a sudden, We called them to account, when lo! They were plunged in despair!” (VI: 44) Allah (SWT) also says: “Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that Allah may give them a taste of some of their deeds, in order that they may turn back (from evil).” (XXX: 41)

A believer will obtain the best reward in the life to come as a result of his faith and good deeds that he has performed in the present life.

Some of the fruits of belief are the following:

Allah (SWT) says: “Those whose lives the angles take in a state of purity, saying (to them): ‘peace be on you! Enter Paradise because of (the good) which you did (in the world).”(XVI: 32) Allah (SWT) also says: “In the case of those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allah’, and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angles descend on them (from time to time). ‘Fear you not!’ (They suggest) ‘Nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise that you were promised! We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter; therein you shall have all that your souls shall desire; therein you shall have all that you ask for!” (XLI: 30-31)

Allah (SWT) says: “Allah will establish in strength those who believe, with the word that stands firm, in this world and in the Hereafter.” (XIV: 27)

Al-Bara ibn ‘Azib (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “when the Muslim is questioned in his grave, he will witness that there is no god worthy of being worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, which is the meaning of Allah’s saying (Allah will establish in strength those who believe, with the word that stands firm, in this world and in the Hereafter.)

Allah (SWT) says: “The Great Terror will bring them no grief; but the angles will meet them (with mutual greetings): ‘This is your Day, (the Day) that you were promised!’” (XXI: 103)

Allah (SWT) says: “But Allah will save them from the evil of that Day and will shed over them a light of beauty and a (blissful) joy.” (LXXVI: 11)

Allah (SWT) says: “ Then he who is given his Record in his right hand, soon will his account be taken by an easy reckoning, and he will return to his people, rejoicing.” (LXXXIV: 7-9)

Allah (SWT) says: “But We shall save those who guarded against evil, and We shall leave the wrong-doers therein (humbled) to their knees.” (XIX: 72)

Allah (SWT) says: “One day you will see the believing men and the believing women--How their light runs forward before them and by their right hands. (Their greeting will be): ‘Good news for you this day! Gardens beneath which flow rivers! to dwell therein for ever. This is indeed the highest achievement.’” (LVII: 12)

Allah (SWT) says: “ And those who feared their Lord will be led to Paradise in crowds: until behold, they arrive there; its gates will be opened; and its keepers will say: ‘Peace be upon you! Well have you done. Enter here to dwell therein for ever.” (XXXIX: 73) Allah (SWT) also says: “And angles shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation): ‘Peace unto you for that you persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final home!’” (XIII: 23-24)

Allah (SWT) says: “These will be the heirs, who will inherit Paradise: They will dwell therein for ever.” (XXIII: 10-11) Allah (SWT) also says: “But those who believe and work righteousness, ـNo burden do we place on any soul, but that which it can bear, ـThey will be companions of Paradise, therein to dwell for ever.” (VII: 42)

Allah (SWT) says: “ And they will have therein pure wives, and they will abide therein for ever.” (II: 25)

Allah (SWT) says: “He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to Gardens beneath which rivers will flow, and to beautiful houses in Gardens of Eternity: that is indeed the superior achievement.” (LXI: 12)

Allah (SWT) says: “And we shall remove from their hearts all rancor.” (VII:43)

Allah (SWT) says: “To those who do right is a goodly (reward), and something in addition!” (X: 26)

In Sahih Muslim this added something is explained as looking at the Face of Allah, the Exalted. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Two Gardens, where all their vessels and whatever there is in them are of silver; and two other Gardens, where all their vessels and whatever there is in them are of gold. Nothing will prevent the people (there) from seeing their Lord except the Covering of Glory on His Face in the Garden of Eternity.”

Allah (SWT) says: “For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade; they will recline therein on raised thrones. How good the recompense, how beautiful a Couch to recline on!” (XVIII:31)

 (f) Determined Sustenance:

Allah (SWT) says: “For them is a Determined Sustenance, fruits and they (shall enjoy) honor and dignity in Gardens of Felicity.” (XXXVII: 41-43)

Allah (SWT) says: “The righteous shall be amidst shades and springs and such fruits as they desire. Eat and drink to your hearts’ content, for what you did.” (LXXVII: 42-43)

Allah (SWT) says: “Verily for the righteous there will be a fulfillment of desires: Gardens enclosed and grapevines, virgins of equal age, a cup full (to the brim). No vanity shall they hear therein, nor untruth. Recompense from your Lord. A Gift (amply) sufficient.” (LXXVIII: 31-33)

For the Believers there are such kinds of felicity in Paradise as have never been heard of, seen or thought of, as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) says in a hadith related by Abu Hurayrah (My Allah be pleased with him): (Allah, the Glorious, the Magnificent, said: “ I have prepared for Righteous Servants such (felicity) as no eye has ever seen, or an ear has ever heard of or a human heart has ever imagined.”)

In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (The first group entering Paradise with have the appearance of a full moon; they will not spit, or have nasal mucus, or defecate. Their vessels therein are of gold and their combs are of gold and silver and their incense is aloe, their sweat is musk. Every one of them will have two wives, so beautiful that the marrow of their legs is seen from behind flesh. There will be no disputes or hatred among them; but their hearts will be as if one heart. They will be glorifying Allah morning and evening.)

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri and Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (A caller will cry: You will be healthy and will never get sick; you will live and will never die; you will be young and never get aging; you will be prosperous and happy and will never get wretched. That is the meaning of the Saying of Allah, the Mighty, the Magnificent: “And they shall hear the cry: Behold! The Garden before you! You have been made its inheritors, for your deeds (of righteousness)”(VII: 43))

Mu’ath ibn Jabal narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (Those destined to dwell in Paradise will enter it hairless, beardless, with their eyes smeared with kohl, and they will be thirty or thirty-three years old.)

While a believer gets the best rewards in the Hereafter, he who rejects faith will be rewarded with the worst recompense in the Hereafter, such as:

Allah (SWT): “If you could but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death--the angels stretch forth their hands, (saying), ‘Yield up your souls: this day shall you receive your reward, -- a penalty of Shame, for that you used to tell lies against Allah and scornfully reject His Signs.’” (VI: 93)

Allah (SWT) said: “ … But the brunt of penalty encompassed on all sides the People of Pharaoh. In front of the Fire will they be brought morning and evening: and (the sentence will be) on the Day that Judgement will be established: ‘ Cast the people of Pharaoh into the severest penalty.’” (XL: 45-46)

Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (On death everyone is shown his seat, morning and evening, either in Paradise if he is one of the people of Paradise, or in Hell if he is one of the people of Hell, and it is said to him: “ This is your seat till Allah resurrects you on the Day of Judgment.”)

Al-Bukhari narrates from the hadith narrated by Anas (May Allah be pleased with him): (As for the unbeliever or the hypocrite, he will say: “ I don’t know! I used to say what people say.” It will be said (to him): “You did not know, nor did you read!” Then he will be struck with an iron hammer such a blow between his ears that he will send such a loud cry as will be heard by every (creature) around him except human beings and Jinn.)

Allah (SWT) says: “And he that will be given his record in his left hand, will say: ‘Ah! Would that my record had not been given to me! And that I had never realized how my account (stood)?’” (LXIX: 25-26)

Allah (SWT) says: “The day when man will see (the deeds) which his hands have sent forth and the unbeliever will say: ‘Would that I were (mere) dust.’” (LXXVII: 40) Allah (SWT) also says: “The Day that the wrong-doer will bite at his hands, he will say, ‘ Oh! Would that I had taken a straight path with the Messenger. Ah! Woe is me! Would that I had never taken such a one for a friend! He did lead me astray from the Message (of Allah) after it had come to me! Ah! the Evil one is but a traitor to men!’”(XXV: 27-29)

Allah (SWT) says: “On the Day that the enemies of Allah will be gathered together to the Fire, they will be marched in ranks. At length, when they reach (the Fire) their hearing, their sight and their skin will bear witness against them, as to (all) their deeds.” (XLI: 19-20)

Allah (SWT) says: “And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did (in this life) and We shall make such deeds as floating dust scattered about.” (XXV: 23)

Allah (SWT) says: “The unbelievers will be led to Hell in crowds: until, when they arrive there, its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say, ‘ Did not Messengers come to you from among yourselves, rehearsing to you the Signs of your Lord, and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?’ The answer will be: ‘True: but the Decree of Punishment has been proved true against unbelievers!’ To them will be said: ‘Enter the gates of Hell to dwell therein for ever: and evil is (this) abode of the arrogant!’” (XXXIX: 71-72)

Allah (SWT) says: “It (Hell) shall be made into a vault (with gates closed) over them, in columns outstretched.” (CIV: 8-9)

Allah (SWT) says: “Verily you (unbelievers) and the (false) gods that you worship other than Allah are (but) fuel for Hell! To it you will (surely) come!” (XXI:98)

Allah (SWT) says: “Those who reject faith, never their possession nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them any thing against Allah: They are themselves but fuel for the Fire.” (III: 10) Allah (SWT) also says: “But those who swerve, they are but fuel for Hell-fire.” (LXXII: 15)

Allah (SWT) says: “Then will those who are followed repudiate those who follow (them); they will see the penalty and all relations between them will be cut off. And those who followed will say: ‘ If only we had one more chance, we would repudiate them as they have repudiated us.’ There will Allah show them (the fruits of) their deeds as (nothing but) regrets. Nor will there be a way for them out of the Fire.” (II: 166-167)

Allah (SWT) says: “ Every time a new people enters (Hell), it curses its sister-people (that went before)…” (VII: 38)

Allah (SWT) says: “ Here is a troop rushing headlong with you! No welcome for them! Truly, they shall burn in the Fire. (The followers shall cry to the misleaders) ‘Nay, you too! No welcome for you! It is you who have brought this upon us! How evil is (this) place to stay in! They will say: ‘Our Lord! Whoever brought this upon us, add to him a double penalty in the Fire!’ And they will say: ‘What has happened to us that we see no men whom we used to regard among the bad ones? Did we treat them (as such) in ridicule, or have (our) eyes failed to perceive them? Truly that is the very truth … the mutual recrimination of the people of the Fire!” (XXXVIII: 59-64)

Allah (SWT) says: “The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire: no helper will you find for them…” (IV: 45)

Allah (SWT) says: “The Fire will burn their faces and they will therein grin will their lips displaced.” (XXIII: 104)

Allah (SWT) says: “Those who reject Our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skin is roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skin, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” (IV: 56)

Allah (SWT) says: “These two antagonists dispute with each other about their Lord: But those who deny (their Lord), - for them will be cut out a garment of Fire: over their heads will be poured out boiling water, with it will be scalded what is within their bodies as well as their skin. In addition there will be maces of iron (to punish) them.” (XXII: 19-21)

Allah (SWT) says: “Truly those in sin are the ones straying in mind and mad. The Day they will be dragged through the Fire on their faces, (they will hear): ‘Taste the touch of Hell.’” (LIV: 47-48)

Allah (SWT) says: “And indeed Hell surrounds the unbelievers (on all sides).” (IX:49)

Allah (SWT) says: “Verily the tree of Zaqqum will be the food of the sinful, like molten brass, it will boil in their insides, like the boiling of scalding water.” (XLIV: 43-46) Allah (SWT) also says: “So no friend has he here this Day. Nor has he any food except the corruption from the washing of wounds.” (LXIX: 35-36)

Allah (SWT) says: “They will be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it will cut up their bowels (to pieces).” (XLVII: 15) Allah (SWT) also says: “And he will be given, to drink, fetid water. In gulps will he sip it, but never will he bear swallowing it down his throat.” (XIV: 16-17) Allah (SWT) also says: “Such! – Then they will taste it, - a boiling fluid, and a fluid, dark, murky, intensely cold.” (XXXVIII: 57)

Faith has ranks which the Prophet (Peace be upon him) describes in his saying: “ Faith consists of seventy-odd or sixty-odd branches (traits), the best of which is the statement: La ilaha illa Allah ‘ There is no god worthy of being worshipped except Allah,’ and the lowest of which is removing harmful things from a road. And modesty is a branch (trait) of Faith.”

Steadfast profound belief

People differ in this and in the parts of Faith they realize. Therefore, they are of various ranks:

The rank of Prophets and Messengers is the highest, and most perfect, for they are the most perfect of the believers in their belief in Allah (SWT), His love, fear of Him, obedience to Him and constantly observing His Laws and Instructions to realize complete worship of Him and fulfill the duties required by His being our Cherisher, Sustainer and God, Who alone is worthy of being worshipped. They were of pure disposition, untainted by sins, whether before they became Prophets or Messengers and after their having been chosen as such. Allah (SWT) says: “Say: ‘Praise be to Allah and peace be on His servants whom He has chosen.’” (XXVII: 59) He also says: “Allah knows best where (and who) to carry out His Mission.” (VI: 124).

They added to that the knowledge acquired through insight and using intellectual evidence. Allah (SWT) says: “So also We did show Abraham the power and laws of the heavens and earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude.” (VI: 75)

They had the privileges of having received knowledge of absolute certainty from Allah (SWT); they (Peace be upon them) were believers of absolute certainty and most perfect conviction, because they came with such Miracles and Signs as indicated their being sent as Prophets and Messengers, and because they knew their Lord and Creator, Who chose them as His messengers better than all other people. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: “ By Allah, I know Allah the best and fear him the most.”

They were of such firm faith as would not weaken in face of hardships and afflictions. Prophet Moses (Peace be upon him), for example, when almost overtaken by Pharaoh and his soldiers, said (in Allah’s words): “ By no means! My Lord is with me! Soon will He guide me!” (XXVI: 62); and Muhammad, the Seal of Prophets and Messengers, while being pursued by the unbelievers during the eemigration, said (in Allah’s words): “…And he said to his Companion (Abu Bakr), ‘Have no fear, for Allah is with us.’” (IX: 40)

They were the best in word and action, for they announced Allah’s Message and disseminated it among people. They were the most eloquent and expressive in refuting Allah’s enemies, and the most firm in opposing and invalidating falsehood.

No Prophet was sent but Allah (SWT) made for him disciples and Companions (Sahabah) who followed his guidance and practices. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (No Prophet Allah sent to a people before me but he had from among his people disciples and companions who followed his practices and imitated him. Then came after them a generation that say what they will not do and do what they are not asked to do. He who strives against them with his hand is a believer; he who strives against them with his tongue (word) is a believer, and he who strives against them with his heart is a believer. Otherwise, there is not even as much as a mustard seed of Faith (in a person).)

Allah (SWT) let his Messenger (Peace be upon him) have Companions who believed in him and were educated by him. Then in their turn, they established Allah’s religion and educated those who came after them (Tabi’in). It is they who were described in the Holy Qur’an: “You are the best of people introduced to mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. If only the people of the Book had Faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors.” (III: 110)

So they are the first to be involved in this Verse because it was revealed at their time.

Allah also said: “The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believes in Allah, His angels, His Books and His Messengers, ‘We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His Messengers.’ And they say: ‘We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Your Forgiveness, Our Lord, and to You is the end of all journeys.” (II: 285) Allah (SWT) says: “Allah’s Good pleasure was on the believers when they swore fealty to you under the Tree: He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down tranquility to them; and He rewarded them with a speedy victory.” (XLVIII: 18) Allah (SWT) also says: “And know that among You is Allah’s Messenger: were he, in many matters, to follow your (wishes), you will certainly fall into misfortune. But Allah has endeared the Faith to you, and has made it beautiful in your hearts and He has made hateful to you unbelief, wickedness and disobedience, such indeed are those who walk in righteousness.” (XLIX: 7)

Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (The best [generation] in my Ummah [people] is that which is contemporary with me, then the next, then that following.)

He also said: (Don’t revile my Companions, for, by Him in whose Hand is my soul, if any of you should spend as much gold as Mount Uhud, it would not be as valuable as any of my Companions’ Mud or Nasif [a little amount]).

Scholars are the heirs of Prophets, as Allah’s Messenger said in the following hadith narrated by Abu Al-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him): (He who has taken a path, looking for knowledge, will be led by Allah along a path leading to Paradise. Angels lie their wings, being pleased with the person who seeks knowledge. Every creature in the heavens and the earth, even whales in water, ask forgiveness for the scholar. The scholar is as superior to a worshipper as the moon to the planets. Scholars are the heirs of the Prophets, for the Prophets did not bequeath dinars or dirhams (i.e. wealth) but they bequeathed knowledge. So whoever obtains it is fortunate.)

These scholars have inherited Faith in all its aspects: conviction, expression and action. They put into practice what they have learned and call others to their deep conviction; therefore, Allah raises them up to suitable ranks, as Allah (SWT) says: “ Allah will raise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted (religions) knowledge and Allah is well acquainted with all that you do.” (LVIII: 11)

Allah (SWT) tells us that only true pious scholars who practice what they learn fear Allah. Allah (SWT) says: “Those truly fear Allah, among His servants, who have knowledge, for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft–forgiving.” (XXXV: 28)

Common believers receive their knowledge about faith from scholars. Thus they believe in the truth and have firm conviction and speak the truth and call others to it, and they put into practice what is taught in their Lord’s Book and the Sunnah of their Prophet (Peace be upon him). So, they are, in this respect, of various degrees in conviction, speech and action. Allah (SWT) says: “To all are degrees (or ranks) according to their deeds: for your Lord is not unmindful of anything that they do.”(VI: 132)

Faith may increase or decrease, as Allah (SWT) says: “For, believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when His revelations are recited to them, their faith is strengthened, and they trust in their Lord.” (VIII: 2)

True belief is verified according to Allah’s saying: “Only those are believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their person in the Cause of Allah: such are the sincere ones.” (XLIX: 15)

In many of the traditions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) we learn that faith can increase, get stronger and approach perfection:

He said: (The believers who are said to have the most perfect faith are those who have the best conduct. The best among you are those who are the best (in treatment) to their wives.)

‘Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated that she heard the Prophet (Peace be up on him) saying: (A believer may reach the rank of one who frequently observes fasting and prayers, by virtue of his good behavior.)

Among those who have perfect faith are those who strive in the Cause of Allah, and those who do no mischief to others. Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) had once been asked who among believers had the most perfect faith, and he said: (A man striving in the Cause of Allah with his person and belongings, and a man who worships Allah in a mountain path, far from doing mischief to others.)

Faith is perfected with love for the sake of Allah and hatred for the sake of Allah, and that is the strongest document of faith. It is also perfected with giving or denying things for the sake of Allah. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (He who loves for the sake of Allah and hates for the sake of Allah and gives for the sake of Allah and denies something for the sake of Allah, has perfect faith.)

Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (The strongest links of faith are love for the sake of Allah and hatred for the sake of Allah.)

Perfect Faith entails trustworthiness. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (He who is not trustworthy has no faith.)

The strength of one’s Faith is measured by one’s efforts of enjoining good and disapproving bad. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (He who sees something offensive (objectionable to the religious tenets), shall change it with his hand; if unable, with his tongue; if unable, with his heart, which manifests the weakest (amount of) Faith.)

Hospitality, agreeable relationship with one’s kindred, and good words are signs of perfect Faith. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (He who believes in Allah and the Hereafter shall not do mischief to his neighbor; he who believes in Allah and the Hereafter shall treat his guest politely and hospitably; and he who believes in Allah and the Hereafter shall say what is good or keep silent.)

Greeting others (by saying assalamu ‘alaykum) is a sign of Faith that leads to Paradise. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (You will not enter Paradise unless you have Faith; but you will have no Faith unless you have mutual love among you. Shall I recommend you something that will cause you to love each other if you do it? It is to greet one another as often as possible.)

Half the Faith is the purity of the heart and the body. Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (Purification is half the Faith; Alhamdu lillah “Praise be to Allah” fills the Balance, and Subhan Allah “Glory to Allah” and “Praise be to Allah” fill or fills the distance between the heavens and the earth…)

So Faith increases and gets stronger and approaches perfection through acts of obedience to Allah the Almighty; it may decrease because of ignorance, heedlessness, acts of disobedience and sins.

Any texts occurring in the Qur’an and the Prophet’s Sunnah indicating the increase in Faith through such acts of obedience imply decrease in Faith in the absence of such deeds. Decrease in Faith has prevailed among Muslims. You may find some complain of hard-heartedness, little pleasure in performing acts of worship, not being affected by the recitation of the Qur’an, readiness to commit sins, negligence of obligatory acts and duties of worship, and not feeling responsible for enjoining good and discouraging bad, etc.

All that is caused by lack or weakness of the Faith of such people. Therefore, their Faith requires renewal that is realized through repentance, asking for Allah’s forgiveness, abstaining from previous sins, doing more good deeds and keeping away from committing major and minor acts of disobedience.

Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (Faith wears out in one’s heart, as does one’s garment. Therefore, ask Allah to renew Faith in your hearts.) We appeal to Allah to renew Faith in our hearts!

Sometimes a believer’s heart may be overshadowed by a cloud of disobedience and become dark. This situation is portrayed by Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) in his saying: (No heart among (people’s) hearts but has a cloud like that (overshadowing) the moon: while the moon is shining, a cloud suddenly overshadows it and renders it dark. When it (the cloud) leaves it, it shines (again).)

Therefore, a believer is badly in need of strengthening his Faith till he attains the highest ranks of Faith, and becomes entitled to occupy the highest location in Paradise.

A believer is rendered unbeliever through a conviction, a saying or a deed that changes him into a renegade. May Allah protect us and all Muslims from that!
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