Īmān (إيمان)

Īmān (إيمان)

Definition and Significance

Īmān (إيمان‎), commonly translated as “faith” or “belief,” is a fundamental concept in Islam that encompasses both inner conviction and outward testimony of the truth of the Muslim faith. In Islamic theology, faith is considered a comprehensive term that includes acceptance in the heart, acknowledgment by the tongue, and demonstration through actions.

Types of Īmān

According to traditional Islamic scholars, there are two primary types of īmān:

1. Īmān Mujmal (إيمان مجمل)

• Definition: A simple, concise expression of faith that includes the essential beliefs found in the Qur’ān and Hadith (Traditions of Prophet Muhammad).
• Components: This form of faith embodies a general belief in the basic tenets of Islam without detailed articulation.

2. Īmān Mufaṣṣal (إيمان مفصل)

• Definition: A more detailed and formal declaration of belief in the six articles of the Islamic Creed.
• Components:
  1. Belief in God (Allah) - Monotheism and recognition of Allah as the sole deity.
  2. Belief in Angels (Mala’ika) - Acceptance of the existence and roles of angels.
  3. Belief in the Books of God (Kutub) - Acknowledgment of divine scriptures including the Qur’ān.
  4. Belief in the Prophets (Anbiya) - Affirmation of the Prophets sent by God, including Muhammad as the final Prophet.
  5. Belief in the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah) - Certainty of an eventual judgment day and accountability.
  6. Belief in Predestination (Qadar) - Acceptance of divine preordainment of all events, both good and evil.

Īmān in Tradition (Hadith)

The Hadith literature, notably the collections like Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, elaborate extensively on the components and depth of īmān. Prophet Muhammad emphasized both inner belief and actionable faith. Some salient traditions include:

• Sweetness of Faith: “That person has tasted the sweets of faith who is pleased with God as his Lord, with Islām as his religion, and with Muḥammad as the Prophet of God.”
• Excellent Faith: “The most excellent faith is to love those who love God and to hate those who hate God, to keep the tongue employed in repeating the name of God (Zikr), and to do unto men as you would wish them to do unto you, and to reject for others what you would reject for yourself.”
• Salvation and Good Works: “When anyone of you shall have believed truly and sincerely, then whatever good action that person may do will be rewarded from ten to seven hundred fold, and every sin he may commit will be expiated one by one before he dies.”

Etymology

• Arabic: The term is derived from the Arabic root “ʾĀ-M-N” (أ م ن), which means to be faithful, trustworthy, and secure.
• Turkish: İnanç

Practical Takeaways

1. Integral Nature: In Islam, faith is not merely an abstract belief but also involves practical living according to the principles of Islam.
2. Symbiotic Relationship: There is a symbiotic relationship between faith and actions; faith inspires good deeds, and good deeds, in turn, strengthen faith.
3. Evaluation of Faith: Self-assessment and introspection are vital to gauge the strength and sincerity of one’s faith as taught by Prophet Muhammad.

Recommended Books for Further Studies

1. Faith and Practice of Islam: Three Thirteenth-Century Sufi Texts by William C. Chittick
2. The Creed of Islam: Illustrated by Ahadith by M. Zakiur-Rahman
3. Principles of Islamic Faith by Ayatollah Ibrahim Amini
4. Roots of Faith -From the Hadiths and the Life of the Holy Prophet by Muhammad Mohar Ali

Conclusion

Īmān underpins the spiritual and moral framework within which Muslims are expected to navigate their lives. It is a multifaceted concept, deeply rooted in both scripture and tradition, and essential for personal and communal religious identity in Islam.