What is IMAN?

Imam in its general lexical meaning is confirmation, faith. This is indicated by the words of Allah Almighty:  “You will not believe us” (Yusuf, 17 ayahs). Online Quran teacher has a mission to guide the peoples.

 

In Sharia terminology, iman  is the acceptance and confirmation of well-known things with which Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came, in general terms - regarding what requires acceptance in general terms, and in detail - where detailed acceptance is required.

 

·         An example of acceptance in general without detailing: belief in most of the prophets (peace be upon them) and angels, belief that Allah Almighty is necessarily inherent in everything perfect and not inherent in shortcomings, etc.

·         An example of acceptance in detail in detail: faith in a certain group of messengers (peace be upon them) and angels.

 

The messengers (peace and blessings be upon them), in which you need to believe in detail, are the messengers mentioned by Allah Almighty:

 

“These are our arguments that We gave Ibrahim (Abraham) against his people. We enhance whoever we want. Indeed, your Lord is Wise, Knowing. We gave him (to whom?) Ishak (Isaac) and Yakub (Jacob). We led them both on a straight path. Even earlier, We led the direct path of Nuh (Noah), and from his descendants - Davud (David), Suleiman (Solomon), Ayub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron). Thus, we reward those who do good. And also Zakariy (Zechariah), Yahya (John), Isa (Jesus) and Ilyas (Elijah). They all belonged to the righteous. And also Ismail (Ishmael), Al-Yacaa (Elisha), Yunus (Jonah) and Lut (Lot). We have lifted all of them above the worlds” (al-An'am, verses 83–86).

 

They also include the following prophets: Idris, Khuda, Shuayba, Salih, Zulkifli, Adam, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them), mentioned in other verses of the Holy Quran.

 

All of the above prophets (peace be upon them) are mentioned in the noble Qur'an, and everyone is unanimous that they are prophets.

 

As for the prophets, regarding whose messenger missions there are disagreements, these include: Zulqarnain, Al-Uzair and Lukman. There is no clear reference to Khidri in the Qur'an, despite the fact that in the verse “They met one of our slaves” (Kahf, 65 ayahs) he is implied. They also include Yusha bin Nun of the times of the Prophet Musa (peace be upon him), regarding which there is also no clear mention in the Quran.

 

Anyone who, after all the arguments have been brought to him, denies the prophetic or messenger mission of at least one of the above prophets and messengers (peace be upon them), regarding whom there is no disagreement, leaves Islam.

 

The angels who need to be believed in details include: Jibril, Mikail, Israfil, Azrael, Ridvan - the keeper of Paradise, Malik - the keeper of Hell, Rakib and Atid. Anyone who denies the existence of even one of these angels leaves Islam.

 

·         As for Munkar and Nakir, the one who denies them does not leave Islam.

·         Belief in the angels carrying the Arsh and those surrounding it, in general, without details, is mandatory.

·         The need for verbal confirmation of the shahada

·         There is disagreement among scholars regarding the need for verbal confirmation of the shahada (the formula of monotheism).

 

According to the majority of scholarly researchers (muhakkik) from among the Asharites, Maturidites, etc., the oral recitation of the Shahada is a condition for accepting the faith (iman) to extend the provisions of Islam to him, such as the laws on inheritance and marriage, the obligation to perform namaz, pay zakat the rules for performing namaz for him, performing a funeral prayer after his death, burying him in a Muslim cemetery.

 

A person who recognized the shahadah, but at the same time did not confirm it orally without a good reason, but did not refuse to pronounce it, is considered a Muslim before Allah, but is not considered a Muslim in this world, and the provisions of Islam do not apply to him if he is overtaken by death in such a situation...

 

The following provisions follow from the above:

 

1.      With a valid reason not to pronounce the shahadah orally, for example, dumb, but having signs indicating his iman - for example, he gives signs indicating this; or the one who was overtaken by death and who did not have time to pronounce the shahadah, but he did not postpone reciting it, are considered Muslims in this and in the next world;

 

2.      A person who refuses to pronounce the shahadah when asked is not considered a Muslim either in this or the other world, even if he considered himself a Muslim in his heart - all this will not benefit him either in this or in the next world;

 

3.      Whoever uttered the shahadah aloud, but did not accept it with his heart, for example, a hypocrite is considered a Muslim in this world and the provisions of Islam apply to him, but he is not considered a Muslim before Allah.

 

According to another, opposite opinion, the recitation of the shahada is a prerequisite for the validity of iman both in this and in the next world. According to this opinion, pronouncing the shahada is like a part of faith, and iman is both heart acceptance and verbal confirmation of the shahada. He who has not uttered the shahadah out loud is not considered a Muslim either in this or in the next world, and the provisions of Islam do not apply to him.

 

Islam in the lexical sense is obedience and adherence; in Sharia terminology, obedience and adherence to those generally known norms with which the Messenger came (peace and blessings be upon him).

 

Strengthening and weakening of iman

 

According to the majority of Ash'arite scholars, iman increases with more diligent obedience to the requirements of Sharia and weakened with weakening of zeal.

 

Allah Almighty said:

 

"Believers are only those whose hearts feel fear at the mention of Allah, whose faith is strengthened when His verses are recited to them, those who trust in their Lord."  (Anfal, 2nd ayah);

 

“He is the One who sent down peace to the hearts of believers so that their faith might be strengthened. Allah owns the host of heaven and earth. Allah is Knowing, Wise” (Fath, 4th ayah);

 

“When a surah is sent down, there is one among them who asks: “Whose faith became stronger from this? ”. As for those who believe, their faith is strengthened by this, and they rejoice ”  (Tawbah, ayah 124). Online Quran Teacher is the best platform to learn Quran,    

 

(See Al-Ma'rifa fi bayani Akidatil Muslimi)