10 Defining Signs of Strong
Faith Every Muslim Should Know
Iman (our faith in Islam) does not always burn like a raging fire in the
ebb and flow of life. Of it sometime it has test, sometimes it has doubts,
doubted, tried in trials or even just confounded by the bustle of the world.
There is the desire in every believer to develop such a firm belief, a rock
solid state that will hold you through all the strifes. And how do we see this
immense power, not only in accomplished scholars, but in ourselves and in our
everyday lives? What are real indicators of good faith which can reach the
favor of Allah? This path--of strengthening iman--is lifelong, and of conscious
striving and grace. Surveying the traits of a true believer is not judging, it
is self-analysis and hope. These are 10 powerful marks of a well-established
deep iman in Islam and they are something every Muslim should attempt to
nourish:
1. Unyielding Tawakkul
(Reliance on Allah): Beyond Lip Service
o The Sign: This isn't passive
hope; it's active trust. Someone with strong faith plans
diligently, works hard, utilizes means (asbab), but ultimately releases the
outcome entirely to Allah. Anxiety doesn't cripple them because they know Allah
is the Best of Planners (Quran 3:159). They understand that ease and hardship
are both tests and avenues for reward.
o The Evidence: "And whoever
relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him." (Quran 65:3)
and "If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due,
you would be provided for as birds are provided: they go out hungry in the
morning and come back with full bellies in the evening." (Tirmidhi)
o In Practice: Facing job loss, they
network and apply, but their heart remains calm, trusting Allah's timing and
wisdom. They make dua for cure while seeing a doctor, accepting Allah's decree
whether healing comes or not.
2. Consistent Salah: The
Anchor, Not the Chore
o The Sign: Praying five times a
day isn't a box to tick; it's the essential nourishment for the soul. Strong
faith manifests as guarding the prayers, performing
them on time with presence of heart (khushu’), and genuinely yearning for that
connection. Missing a prayer feels like a profound loss, not just an oversight.
o The Evidence: "Maintain
with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and
stand before Allah, devoutly obedient." (Quran 2:238). The
Prophet (PBUH) said, "The first matter that the slave will be
brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound,
then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of
his deeds will be bad." (Tabarani)
o In Practice: They structure their
day around prayer times, not vice versa. They strive to understand the meanings
recited and feel a tangible sense of peace and renewal after salah.
3. Unshakeable Integrity &
Honesty (Amanah): In All Things, Big and Small
o The Sign: Strong faith compels
honesty in speech, dealings, and even when alone. They return excess change,
fulfill promises meticulously, guard secrets, and are trustworthy with
responsibilities (amanah), knowing Allah is witness to everything.
o The Evidence: "O you who
have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true." (Quran
9:119). The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The signs of a hypocrite are
three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; and when he is
entrusted, he betrays." (Bukhari & Muslim) – Strong faith is
the antithesis of hypocrisy.
o In Practice: They correct a
cashier who undercharges them. They complete work assignments with diligence,
even unsupervised. Their word is their bond.
4. Dominant Patience (Sabr):
Embracing Allah's Decree with Grace
o The Sign: Patience isn't mere
stoicism; it's active perseverance coupled with contentment (rida) in Allah's
decree. Strong faith allows believers to endure hardship,
delay gratification, control anger, and persist in obedience without complaint,
knowing Allah is with the patient.
o The Evidence: "O you who
have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the
patient." (Quran 2:153). "How wonderful is the
affair of the believer! His affair is all good. If something good happens to
him, he is grateful, and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him,
he is patient, and that is good for him." (Muslim)
o In Practice: They respond to
personal loss or injury with "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un"
and seek Allah's reward. They patiently endure difficult people or situations,
avoiding hasty anger or despair.
5. Constant Gratitude (Shukr):
Seeing Blessings in Every Breath
o The Sign: A heart with strong
faith is a grateful heart. They recognize blessings constantly –
health, sustenance, family, even trials that bring them closer to Allah. This
gratitude isn't just verbal ("Alhamdulillah"); it translates into
using blessings righteously and sharing with others.
o The Evidence: "And
[remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely
increase you [in favor]...'" (Quran 14:7). The Prophet (PBUH)
said, "Whoever is not grateful to the people is not grateful to
Allah." (Tirmidhi)
o In Practice: They start and end
conversations with praise to Allah. They appreciate small comforts and express
thanks to others. They view challenges as opportunities for growth and
increased reward.
6. Genuine Concern &
Kindness for Others: Reflecting Mercy
o The Sign: Strong faith softens
the heart towards all creation, especially fellow Muslims. It manifests as
empathy, compassion, a desire to alleviate suffering, and avoiding harm (both
physical and emotional). They understand that true faith is incomplete without
caring for others.
o The Evidence: "The
believers, in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy, are just like one
body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with
wakefulness and fever." (Bukhari & Muslim). "He
who does not show mercy will not be shown mercy." (Bukhari &
Muslim)
o In Practice: They check on
neighbors, help strangers, donate generously (even small amounts), speak
kindly, forgive easily, and actively avoid backbiting or gossip.
7. Deep Love & Reverence
for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): Following the Sunnah Sincerely
o The Sign: Strong faith is
intrinsically linked to profound love and respect for the Messenger of Allah
(PBUH). This love isn't sentimental; it drives a sincere desire to study his
life (Seerah), emulate his impeccable character (Sunnah), and prioritize his
teachings above personal desires or cultural norms.
o The Evidence: "Say, [O
Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you
and forgive you your sins.'" (Quran 3:31). The Prophet (PBUH)
said, "None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him
than his children, his father, and all of mankind." (Bukhari
& Muslim)
o In Practice: They learn and
implement the Sunnah in worship, dealings, and manners. They defend his honor.
They feel joy in sending blessings upon him (salawat) and studying his
traditions.
8. Unwavering Belief in Qadr
(Divine Decree): The Good and the Apparent Bad
o The Sign: One of the most
profound signs of strong faith is complete conviction in Allah's
preordained decree (Qadr). They believe everything that happens – joy, sorrow,
ease, hardship – occurs by Allah's perfect will and wisdom, even if the reason
is hidden. This belief fosters ultimate surrender and peace.
o The Evidence: Belief in Qadr is one
of the six pillars of Iman (Faith). "No disaster strikes upon the
earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it
into being – indeed that, for Allah, is easy." (Quran 57:22).
o In Practice: They respond to
unforeseen difficulties with "Qaddarallahu wa ma sha’a fa’ala" (Allah
has decreed, and what He wills, He does). They avoid excessive regret over the
past or anxiety about a future already written.
9. Prioritizing the Hereafter
(Akhirah): Worldly Life as a Transient Path
o The Sign: While actively
engaged in worldly responsibilities, their ultimate focus and efforts are
directed towards the eternal life. Strong faith means valuing
the pleasure of Allah and the rewards of Jannah above temporary worldly gains,
status, or pleasures. They invest in deeds with lasting benefit.
o The Evidence: "And whatever
thing you have been given – it is [only] for the enjoyment of worldly life and
its adornment. And what is with Allah is better and more lasting; so will you
not use reason?" (Quran 28:60). "Be in this world as
if you were a stranger or a traveler along a path." (Bukhari)
o In Practice: They are very donative in charity and they are wanting
to seek reward, not appreciation. The learners value Islamic knowledge and
worship. They take the decisions that please Allah even at the expense of the
world.
10. Continuous Self-Reproach
& Seeking Improvement (Muhasabah): The Journey Never Ends
o The Sign: Paradoxically, a
key sign of strong faith is a healthy awareness of one's own
shortcomings. They regularly engage in self-accounting (muhasabah), feel
remorse for sins (even minor ones), constantly seek Allah's forgiveness
(istighfar), and strive to be better today than yesterday. Complacency is the
enemy.
o The Evidence: "O you who
have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for
tomorrow..." (Quran 59:18). The pious predecessors were known for
their intense self-criticism despite their high status.
o In Practice: They reflect daily on
their actions and intentions. They repent sincerely immediately after a
mistake. They actively seek knowledge to correct deficiencies in their worship
or character. They are humble, knowing their faith needs constant nurturing.
Cultivating the Unshakeable
Heart: A Lifelong Pursuit
Noticing these signs of strong faith is not to discourage, but make it
brighter. Getting a strong iman in Islam is not a destination; it is a dynamic
process. Every one of us experiences fluctuation The secret is continual
struggle (mujahadah):
·
Increase Knowledge: gain knowledge of the Quran and
the Sunnah. Faith runs on knowledge
·
Increase Worship: Do more than the mandatory. Adopt nawafil (voluntary), fasting, dhikr
and recitals of the Quran.
·
Keep Good Company: Associate with people who remind you of Allah and remind you to do good.
·
Make Constant Dua: Ask Allah to make you firm in faith, enhance your guidance and firm of
heart.
·
Reflect & Repent: Conduct a self checkup periodically and reform when you go wrong to
Allah.
Strong faith : Faith is one of the compasses to navigate through human
mysteries, the helmet that safeguards us against doubts, and the torch that
brings us that much nearer to our Creator. By observing these symptoms and
doing our best to implement them we cultivate this aspect of a Bogue heart
which is to gain the acceptance of Allah and the eventual success otherwise known
as Jannah. O Allah give us all strong faithful(Iman) and do not make us live or
die otherwise. Ameen.
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