The Reality of Faith (Iman): Definition, Characteristics, and Importance
Iman is one of the fundamental foundations of Islam. In the life of a believer, iman is not merely a verbal declaration; rather, it is the combination of faith in the heart, affirmation with the tongue, and its impact on one’s life and actions. Therefore, understanding the reality of iman (Haqeeqat al-Iman), its definition, and its significance in a believer’s life is extremely important.
Islamic scholarship contains numerous hadiths and statements of the Salaf concerning the definition of iman, its branches, virtues, increase and decrease, and the characteristics of a true believer. Various narrations concerning iman have also been compiled in the renowned hadith collection Kanzul Ummal. These narrations provide important insights into the nature of iman, its demands, and how faith should be reflected in a believer’s character.
Understanding the reality of iman enables a person to recognize that merely identifying oneself as a believer or making a claim of faith is not sufficient to become a true believer. Rather, iman requires firm belief in Allah, obedience to Him, following the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and living one’s life according to that faith.
In this discussion, important hadiths and statements from Kanzul Ummal concerning the reality of iman, its characteristics, the qualities of believers, and the relationship between iman and righteous deeds will be presented. Through these narrations, readers can gain a clear understanding of the meaning of true faith and its importance in the life of a believer.
Translated from Kitab al-Iman of Kanzul Ummal, authored by Shaykh Ali al-Muttaqi (رحمه الله).
A Darus Saadat translation and publication
Haqeeqat al-Iman
The Definition of Iman
الإيمان: “أن تؤمن بالله وملائكته وكتبه ورسله وتؤمن بالجنة والنار والميزان وتؤمن بالبعث بعد الموت وتؤمن بالقدر خيره وشره”. (هب عن عمر)
Iman means believing in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers. It also means believing in Paradise, Hell, and the Scale (Mizan); believing in the Resurrection after death; and believing in divine decree, both its good and its apparent evil.
Affirmation of the Heart
2- الإيمان ” معرفة بالقلب وقول باللسان وعمل بالأركان “. (طب عن علي) .
Iman is to know and affirm with the heart, acknowledge with the tongue, and act with the limbs.
3- الإيمان بالله: “الإقرار باللسان وتصديق بالقلب وعمل بالأركان” (الشيرازي في الألقاب عن عائشة) .
Iman in Allah means verbal affirmation, confirmation in the heart, and action through the limbs.
Iman Through the Tongue and Heart
4 – “الإيمان بالقلب واللسان والهجرة بالنفس والمال” (عبد الخالق بن زاهر الشحابي في الأربعين.
Iman is attained through the heart and tongue, while migration is made with one’s life and wealth.
5 – الإيمان: ” أن تؤمن بالله وملائكته وكتبه وبلقائه وبرسله وتؤمن بالبعث” (حم ق هـ عن أبي هريرة) .
Iman means believing in Allah, His angels, His Books, meeting Him, His Messengers, and the Resurrection after death.
Four Instructions
6 – “آمركم بأربع، وأنهاكم عن أربع، آمركم بالإيمان بالله وحده أتدرون ما الإيمان بالله؟ شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله، وإقام الصلاة وإيتاء الزكاة وصيام رمضان وأن تؤدوا خمس ماغنمتم، وأنهاكم عن الدباء والنقير والحنتم والمزفت احفظوهن وأخبروا بهن من وراءكم” (ق عن ابن عباس)
I command you to do four things and forbid you from four things. I command you to believe in Allah, the One and Only. Do you know what believing in Allah means? It means testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
I also command you to establish prayer, give zakat, fast during Ramadan, and give one-fifth of the spoils of war.
And I forbid you from using vessels made from gourd, wooden vessels, green earthenware vessels, and vessels coated with pitch, which were used for preparing intoxicating drinks. Remember these instructions and convey them to those around you.
Four Prohibitions
7 – “آمركم بأربع وأنهاكم عن أربع اعبدوا الله ولا تشركوا به شيئا وأقيموا الصلاة وآتوا الزكاة وصوموا رمضان وأعطوا الخمس من الغنائم، وأنهاكم عن أربع عن الدباء والخنتم والمزفت والنقير”.(حم م عن أبي سعيد)
I command you to do four things and forbid you from four things. I command you to worship Allah and associate nothing with Him.
Establish prayer, give zakat, fast during Ramadan, and give one-fifth of the spoils of war.
And I forbid you from using vessels made from gourd, wooden vessels, vessels coated with pitch, and green earthenware vessels, which were used for preparing intoxicating drinks.
How to Affirm One’s Faith
8- “بحسب امرئ من الإيمان أن يقول رضيت بالله ربا وبالإسلام دينا وبمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم رسولا” (طس عن ابن عباس) .
It is sufficient for a person’s iman to say: “I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my religion, and Muhammad ﷺ as my Messenger.”
The One Who Has Tasted the Sweetness of Faith
9 – “ذاق طعم الإيمان من رضي بالله ربا وبالإسلام دينا وبمحمد رسولا” (حم م ت عن العباس بن عبد المطلب) .
The one who is pleased with Allah as his Lord, Islam as his religion, and Muhammad as his Messenger has tasted the sweetness of iman.
10 – “ثلاث من فعلهن فقد طعم طعم الإيمان من عبد الله وحده وأنه لاإله إلا الله وأعطى زكاة ماله طيبة بها نفسه رافدة عليه كل عام ولايعطي الهرمة ولا الرديئة ولا المريضة ولا الشرط اللئيمة ولكن من أوسط أموالكم فإن الله لم يسألكم خيره ولا يأمركم بشره وزكى نفسه” (د عن عبد الله بن معاوية العامري
Whoever does three things will certainly taste the sweetness of iman: worship Allah alone and acknowledge that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him; give the zakat of his wealth every year willingly and wholeheartedly; and not give an old, defective, diseased, or inferior animal as zakat, but rather give something of average quality from his wealth.
Allah does not ask you to give your best possessions, nor does He command you to give the worst of them.
Faith Is Not Mere Wishful Thinking or Appearance
11 – “ليس الإيمان بالتمنى ولا بالتحلي، ولكن: هو ما وقر في القلب وصدقه العمل” (ابن النجار فرص عن أنس)
Iman is not attained through wishful thinking or outward appearance. Rather, iman is that which becomes firmly rooted in the heart and is confirmed by righteous deeds.
The Reality of Iman
12 – “إن لكل شيء حقيقة ومابلغ عبد حقيقة الإيمان حتى يعلم أن ما أصابه لم يكن ليخطئه وما أخطاه لم يكن ليصيبه” (حم طب عن أبي الدرداء) الإكمال.
Everything has a reality, and a servant does not attain the reality of iman until he knows with certainty that whatever has befallen him could never have missed him, and whatever has missed him could never have befallen him.
13 – “الإيمان أن تؤمن بالله وملائكته والكتاب والنبيين وتؤمن بالقدر” (ن عن أبي هريرة وأبي ذر معا)
Iman means believing in Allah, His angels, the Book, and the Prophets, and believing in divine decree.
14 – “الإيمان أن تؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر والملائكة والكتاب والنبيين والموت والحياة بعد الموت وتؤمن بالجنة والنار والحساب والميزان وتؤمن بالقدر خيره وشره فإذا فعلت ذلك فقد آمنت” (حم عن أبي عامر وأبي مالك) (ن عن أنس) (ابن عساكر عن عبد الرحمن ابن غنم) .
Iman means believing in Allah, the Hereafter, His angels, the Book, the Prophets, death, and life after death. It also means believing in Paradise and Hell, accountability and the Scale (Mizan), and believing in divine decree, both its good and its apparent evil. When you believe in all these things, you have truly attained iman.
A True Believer
15 – “أربع من كن فيه فهو مؤمن ومن جاء بثلاث وكتم واحدة فهو كافر شهادة أن لاإله إلا الله وأني رسول الله وأنه مبعوث من بعد الموت وإيمان بالقدر خيره وشره” (تمام وسمويه كر عن أبي سعيد) .
Whoever possesses four things is a true believer. Whoever possesses three of them but rejects one is a disbeliever: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, that I am the Messenger of Allah [Muhammad ﷺ], that he will be resurrected after death, and believing in divine decree, both its good and its apparent evil.
16 – ” أربع لم يجد رجل طعم الإيمان حتى يؤمن بهن أن لا إله إلا الله وأني رسول الله بعثني بالحق وأنه ميت ثم مبعوث من بعد الموت ويؤمن بالقدر كله” (كر عن علي) .
There are four things without which a person cannot taste the sweetness of iman: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, whom He sent with the truth; believing that he will die and then be resurrected after death; and believing in all aspects of divine decree.
Islam Means Submission
17- ” الإسلام أن تسلم قلبك ويسلم المسلمون من لسلنك ويدك قيل فأي الإسلام أفضل قال الإيمان. قيل وما الإيمان؟ قال أن تؤمنوا بالله وملائكته وكتبه ورسله والبعث بعد الموت. قيل فأي الإيمان أفضل؟ قال: الهجرة. قيل: وما الهجرة؟ قال: أن تهجر السوء. قيل: فأي الهجرة أفضل؟ قال: الجهاد. قيل: وما الجهاد؟ قال: أن تقاتل الكفار إذا لقيتهم قيل فأي الجهاد أفضل؟ قال: من عقر جواده وأهريق دمه. ثم عملان أفضل الأعمال إلا من عمل بمثلهما: حجة مبرورة أو عمرة”. (حم طب عن عمرو بن عبسه) ورجاله ثقات.
Islam means submitting your heart to Allah and keeping other Muslims safe from your tongue and hand. It was asked, “Which Islam is best?” He said, “Iman.”
It was asked, “What is iman?” He said, “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Resurrection after death.”
It was asked, “Which iman is best?” He said, “Hijrah.” It was asked, “What is hijrah?” He said, “To abandon evil.”
It was asked, “Which hijrah is best?” He said, “Jihad.” It was asked, “What is jihad?” He said, “To fight the disbelievers when you encounter them.” It was asked, “Which jihad is best?” He said, “The one in which the warrior’s horse is wounded and his blood is shed.”
After that, two deeds are among the best deeds, except for one who performs similar deeds: an accepted Hajj or an Umrah.
The Reality of Islam
18 – “حقيقة الإسلام أن تشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله، وتقيم الصلاة، وتؤتي الزكاة وتصوم رمضان، وتحج البيت إن استطعت إليه سبيلا”. (م عن عمر) .
The reality of Islam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah; to establish prayer; give zakat; fast during Ramadan; and perform Hajj to the Sacred House if you are able to find a way to do so.
19 – “الإسلام علانية والإيمان في القلب” (ش عن أنس) .
Islam is outwardly manifested, while iman resides in the heart.
The Example of Islam
20 – ” إن للإسلام صنوا ، ومنارا كمنار الطريق ورأسه، وجماعه شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا عبد ورسوله، وإقام الصلاة، وإيتاء الزكاة، وتمام الصوم” (طب عن أبي الدرداء) .
Islam has a central foundation and a guiding beacon, like a landmark along a road. Its core is the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger; establishing prayer, giving zakat, and completing the fasts of Ramadan.
The Foundations of Islam
21 – “بني الإسلام على خمس: شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله وإقام الصلاة وإيتاء الزكاة وحج البيت وصوم رمضان” (حم ق ت ن عن ابن عمر)
Islam is built upon five foundations: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah; establishing prayer; giving zakat; performing Hajj to the Sacred House; and fasting during Ramadan.
22 – “رأس هذا الأمر الإسلام، ومن أسلم سلم، وعموده الصلاة، وذروة سنامه الجهاد، لا يناله إلا أفضلهم” (طب عن معاذ) .
The foundation of this religion is Islam. Whoever submits to Islam attains safety. Its pillar is prayer, and its highest peak is jihad, which is attained only by the best among them.
23- “عرى الإسلام وقواعد الدين ثلاثة عليهن أسس الإسلام من ترك واحدة منهن فهو بها كافر حلال الدم: شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله والصلاة المكتوبة وصوم رمضان” (ع عن ابن عباس)
Islam has firm bonds and the religion has three fundamental pillars upon which Islam is established. Whoever abandons any one of them is a disbeliever and liable to be fought: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, performing the obligatory prayer, and fasting during Ramadan.
Islam Is Peace and Security
24 – “يا عدي ابن حاتم أسلم تسلم أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأني رسول الله وتؤمن بالأقدار كلها خيرها وشرها، حلوها ومرها” (هـ عن عدي بن حاتم) .
“O Adi ibn Hatim! Embrace Islam and you will attain peace and security. Testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah. Believe in all matters of divine decree, whether good or apparently evil, pleasant or bitter.”
25 – ” الإسلام إقام الصلاة وإيتاء الزكاة وحج البيت وصوم شهر رمضان والاغتسال من الجنابة” (د عن عمر)
Islam means establishing prayer, giving zakat, performing Hajj to the Sacred House, fasting the month of Ramadan, and performing ghusl after major ritual impurity.
26 – “الإسلام أن تعبد الله ولا تشرك به شيئا وتقيم الصلاة وتؤتي الزكاة المفروضة وتصوم رمضان وتحج البيت” (حم ق هـ عن أبي هريرة وأبي ذر معا)
Islam means worshipping Allah and associating nothing with Him; establishing prayer; giving the obligatory zakat; fasting during Ramadan; and performing Hajj to the Sacred House.
The Foundations of Islam
27 – “بني الإسلام على خمس شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله والصلاة وصيام رمضان فمن ترك واحدة منهن كان كافرا حلال الدم” (طب عن ابن عباس) .
Islam is built upon five foundations: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, performing prayer, fasting during Ramadan, and [the other two foundations being zakat and Hajj]. Whoever abandons any one of them is a disbeliever and liable to be fought.
28 – “بني الإسلام على خمس شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا عبده ورسوله وإقام الصلاة وإيتاء الزكاة وحج البيت وصوم رمضان والجهاد والصدقة من العمل الصالح” (طب عن ابن عمر) .
Islam is built upon five foundations: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger; establishing prayer; giving zakat; performing Hajj to the Sacred House; and fasting during Ramadan. Jihad and charity are among the righteous deeds.
29 – “بني الإسلام على خمس خصال: شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا عبده ورسوله، وإقام الصلاة، وإيتاء الزكاة، وحج البيت، وصوم رمضان. والجهاد والصدقة من العمل الصالح” (طب عن ابن عمر) .
Islam is built upon five characteristics: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger; establishing prayer; giving zakat; performing Hajj to the Sacred House; and fasting during Ramadan. Jihad and charity are among the righteous deeds.
30 – “بني الإسلام على خصال: شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله، والإقرار بما جاء من عند الله، والجهاد ماض منذ بعث رسله إلى آخر عصابة تكون من المسلمين يقاتلون الدجال لا ينقصهم جور من جار ولا عدل من عدل، وأهل لا إله إلا الله فلا تكفروهم بذنب ولا تشهدوا عليهم بشرك، والقدر خيره وشره من الله تعالى” (ابن النجار ابن عمر) .
Islam is founded upon these characteristics: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah; and affirming that whatever he brought is from Allah.
Jihad has continued since Allah sent His Messengers and will continue until the final group of Muslims, who will fight the Dajjal.
Neither the injustice of an oppressor nor the justice of a just ruler will prevent them from pursuing their objective. They are among the people of “La ilaha illallah.”
Therefore, do not declare them disbelievers because of their sins or shortcomings, nor testify that they have committed shirk. And know that both the good and the apparently evil aspects of divine decree are from Allah Almighty.
Conclusion
Iman is the most precious possession in a person’s life. True faith is not limited to belief in the heart or verbal affirmation; rather, its effects are reflected in a person’s words, actions, character, and way of life. Firm belief in Allah, obedience to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and living according to the commandments of Allah are among the essential demands of true iman.
The hadiths and narrations compiled in Kanzul Ummal concerning iman demonstrate that faith purifies the heart and improves a person’s deeds and character. A true believer’s fear of Allah, taqwa, truthfulness, trustworthiness, good character, and eagerness to perform righteous deeds are among the practical manifestations of iman.
Therefore, understanding the reality of iman is not merely an exercise in acquiring knowledge; it is also an important means of examining and evaluating one’s own faith and deeds. Every Muslim should strive to strengthen their iman and put the demands of that faith into practice through righteous deeds and excellent character.
May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to attain true iman, remain steadfast upon faith, and live our lives according to the demands of iman. Ameen.
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👉 also read The Qualities of a Believer According to Hadith
