Weakness of Faith phenomenon

Since 2012-11-17

The phenomenon of weakness of belief had been spread among Muslims. Many Muslims complain the hardness of their hearts and say: “I feel hardness in my heart,” “I do not feel the sweetness of performing the acts of worship,” “I feel that my belief had gotten down to the lowest level,” “I do not feel touched by the Holy Qur’an” or “I easily commit sins.” Moreover, the symptoms of this disease clearly appear on many people. Actually this disease is the origin of each disaster and the reason of all defaults and hardships.


All Praise is due to Allah, We praise Him and we seek his aid. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our own evils and our own bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah, he is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad, Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, is His servant, and His Messenger. {O you who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islâm [as Muslims (with complete submission to Allâh)]} [Al-‘Imran 3:102]

قال تعالى:آل عمران: 102

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo ittaqoo Allaha haqqa tuqatihi wala tamootunna illa waantum muslimoona

{O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwâ (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is Ever an All-Watcher over you} [Al-Nisa’ 4:1]


قال تعالى:النساء: 1

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha alnnasu ittaqoo rabbakumu allathee khalaqakum min nafsin wahidatin wakhalaqa minha zawjaha wabaththa minhuma rijalan katheeran wanisaan waittaqoo Allaha allathee tasaaloona bihi waalarhama inna Allaha kana AAalaykum raqeeban

{O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger (peace be upon him), he has indeed achieved a great achievement (ie. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and will be admitted to Paradise)} [Al-Ahzab 33:70-71]


قال تعالى:الأحزاب: 70-71

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo ittaqoo Allaha waqooloo qawlan sadeedan (70) Yuslih lakum aAAmalakum wayaghfir lakum thunoobakum waman yutiAAi Allaha warasoolahu faqad faza fawzan AAatheeman

The phenomenon of weakness of belief had been spread among Muslims. Many Muslims complain the hardness of their hearts and say: “I feel hardness in my heart,” “I do not feel the sweetness of performing the acts of worship,” “I feel that my belief had gotten down to the lowest level,” “I do not feel touched by the Holy Qur’an” or “I easily commit sins.” Moreover, the symptoms of this disease clearly appear on many people. Actually this disease is the origin of each disaster and the reason of all defaults and hardships.

The issue of the hearts is a very important issue. Heart in Arabic is (Qalb); it is driven from the word (Taqalub) which means ‘inconstancy.’ The Prophet (Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him) said: “The Qalb (heart) had been called so because its inconstancy. The heart is like a feather hanged on a tree where the wind flips it side to side” [Reported by Al-Albani in “Sahih Al-Jame’”]


قال رسول الله: صحيح الجامع

Another narration says “The heart (in its inconstancy) is like a feather in a desert where the wind turns it upside down” [Reported by Ibn Abu ‘Asem]

قال رسول الله: أخرجه ابن أبي عاصم، صحيح

The heart is very inconstant as the Prophet Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him described it: “The heart of son of Adam is more inconstant than water in a pot when it reaches boiling point” [Authenticated by Al-Albani] .

قال رسول الله: صحيح الألباني

Another narration: “….is severely inconstant than water in a pot that reaches boiling point.” [Reported by Ahmad]

قال رسول الله: رواه أحمد

Allah Almighty is The One Who turns the hearts and directs them. Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr Ibn al-‘Aas narrated that he heard Allah's Messenger (Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him) as saying: “Verily, the hearts of all the children of Adam are between two fingers of the fingers of the Compassionate Lord as one heart. He turns it the way (direction) He likes.” Then Allah’s Messenger (Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him) said: “O Allah, the Turner of the hearts, turn our hearts to Your obedience” [Narrate by Muslim]

قال رسول الله: رواه مسلم

{And know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart (i.e. He prevents an evil person to decide anything)} [Al-Anfal 8:25]

قال تعالى: الأنفال: 25

Transliteration: anna Allaha yahoolu bayna almari waqalbihi

And on the Day of Judgment none will be saved {except him who brings to Allâh a clean heart [clean from Shirk (polytheism) and Nifâq (hypocrisy)]} [Ash-Shu'araa 26:89]


قال تعالى: الشعراء:89

Transliteration: Illa man ata Allaha biqalbin saleemin

And that {woe to those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allâh!} [Az-Zumar 39:22]


قال تعالى: الزمر:22

Transliteration: fawaylun lilqasiyati quloobuhum min thikri Allahi olaika fee dalalin mubeenin

and the promise of paradise is for {who feared the Most Gracious (Allâh) in the Ghaib (Unseen) and brought a heart turned in repentance (to Him and absolutely free from each and every kind of polytheism)} [Qaf 50:33]


قال تعالى: ق:33

Transliteration: Man khashiya alrrahmana bialghaybi wajaa biqalbin muneebin

Therefore, the true believer has to check his heart and know where its diseases are, and then starts to cure it before it is too late. This is a very crucial and dangerous issue; Allah has warned us from the hard heart, the closed heart, the sick heart, the blind heart, the swathed heart, the deteriorating heart, and the heart that had been sealed upon it.

Here we will try to know the symptoms of the weakness of faith disease, its reasons and how to cure it. I invoke Allah Almighty to give me, and my Muslim brothers, the benefits of this work. And I invoke Him Almighty to generously reward whoever contributes in spreading it. It is He Whom we ask to make our hearts tender and guides us, indeed He is the Most Exalted Lord, and He (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.





some sinners commit one sin but insist to repeat it. Others commit different sins. In both cases frequent committing of sins make them common habits and gradually eliminates the sense of their ignominious from the heart. Then the sinner commits his sins openly or discloses them. The Prophet Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him said: “All my nation are exempted (not taken accountable of sins) except those of the Mujahirin (those who commit a sin openly or disclose their sins to the people). An example of such disclosure is that a person commits a sin at night and though Allah screens it from the public, then he comes in the morning, and says, 'O so-and-so, I did such-and-such (evil) deed yesterday,' though he spent his night screened by his Lord (none knowing about his sin) and in the morning he removes Allah's screen from himself” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]


قال رسول الله: رواه البخاري

the person may go to the degree of feeling that his heart had become hard like a non-permeable stone, feels nothing. Allah Almighty says: {Then, after that, your hearts were hardened and became as stones or even worse in hardness} [Al-Baqarah 2:74]

قال تعالى: البقرة: 74

Transliteration: Thumma qasat quloobukum min baAAdi thalika fahiya kaalhijarati aw ashaddu qaswatan

Who has hard heart does not feel touched by death or funerals. He might carry the dead person and bury him by his own hands while feeling nothing. He might walk between the graves like his walking between stones.

this could take the form of not concentrating during performing the prayers, reciting the Holy Qur’an, invoking, or any other act of worship. It also may take the form of being inattentive during remembering Allah, and saying the Azkar (invocations) without pondering; the person would recite them monotonously (if he said them). If he accustomed to invoke Allah by some prayer the Sunnah of the Prophet (Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him) guided us to say it, he would say it without contemplating. “Allah Almighty does not accept the prayer (supplication) from inattentive and heedless heart” [Reported by Al-Tirmizi]


قال رسول الله:رواه الترمذي, صحيح

if he performed the acts of worship he would be lazy in performing them, and would make them with no spirit. Allah Almighty has described the hypocrites by saying: {And when they stand up for As-Salât (the prayer), they stand with laziness} [An-Nisa 4:142]

قال تعالى: النساء:142

Transliteration: waitha qamoo ila alssalati qamoo kusala

This includes not caring for missing the seasons of good and the times of worship, which refers to not caring for gaining the reward. He may not go for Hajj while having the ability to perform it, or do not participate in Jihad, or miss the congregational prayers till he misses Friday’s prayer. The Prophet Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him said: “There will still be people coming for the first row till Allah let them be late till they are stayed in the hellfire” [Reported by Abu-Dawud, Authenticated by Al-Albani in “Sahih At-Targheeb”]


قال رسول الله: رواه أبو داود، صححه الألباني فى صحيح الترغيب

Such a person does not feel guilt for sleeping and missing the obligatory prayer. Moreover, if he missed mandatory act of worship or daily supererogatory act of worship, he would not desire compensating it. Also, he would attentively neglect doing the supererogatory acts of worship or the acts that are not obligatory upon every individual; such as the Eid (holiday) (Some scholars carry the opinion that Al Eid prayer is obligatory) prayer, the prayer of solar eclipse or lunar eclipse, or attending the funerals and performing the funeral prayer. He is not willing to have the reward; he is the opposite of those that are described in Allah’s saying: {Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us} [Al- Anbiya 21:90]

قال تعالى: الأنبياء : 90

Transliteration: innahum kanoo yusariAAoona fee alkhayrati wayadAAoonana raghaban warahaban wakanoo lana khashiAAeena

Other forms of laziness in performing acts of worship, observing Al Sunan al Rwatib (supererogatory prayers associated with the daily obligatory prayers) voluntary night prayer, going early to the Masjid and the rest of supererogatory prayers, not even thinking of the forenoon prayer, two Rak’as of repentance and Istikhara prayer.

He would feel that there are heavy burdens over his chest; therefore, any trivial thing could make him get nervous quickly, and he would easily get nervous because of people’s behavior, and would lose tolerance. The Prophet Prayers and Peace be upon him described belief by saying: “Faith, is patience and tolerance”

 
 
And he (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) described the believer by saying “He gets accustomed with people and people get accustomed with him. There is no good in a person who does not get accustomed with people and people get accustomed with” [the authentic chain]

قال رسول الله: السلسلة الصحيحة

He would not feel touched by hearing the verses of promise, threat, order, prohibition or the verses that describe the Day of Judgment. Whoever suffers from the weakness of belief feels boredom when he hears the Holy Quran and do not afford continuing reading it; whenever he opens the Holy book he wants to close it.

he would feel that remembering Allah is something difficult, and whenever he raises his hands to invoke Allah he gets them down quickly. Allah almighty described the hypocrites by saying: {and they do not remember Allâh but little} [An-Nisa 4:142]


قال تعالى: النساء: 142

Transliteration: wala yathkuroona Allaha illa qaleelan

this is because the light of ardency had faded in his heart and this consequently led to not enjoining the good, forbidding the evil or feeling angry for the sake of Allah Almighty. The Prophet Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him described such heart by saying: “Temptations will be presented to men's hearts as reed mat is woven stick by stick and any heart which is impregnated by them i.e. entered it completely, “will have a black mark put into it” ” [Narrated by Muslim]


قال رسول الله:» رواه مسلم

Until it ends up the way the Messenger of Allah, (Allah’s Prayers and peace be upon him) described in the end of the Hadith “…turbid black, with some whiteness that’s overtaken by black, like a flipped Jug inclined downwards, doesn’t recognize good nor renounce evil, except for what it socked of its vain desires.” [Reported by Muslim]

قال رسول الله:رواه مسلم

Such a person has lost loving the good and hating the evil; they became the same in his eyes. Hence, what would make him want to enjoin the good and forbid the evil?! Moreover, he might hear about the occurrence of something prohibited and be satisfied with it, hence he would gain punishment equal to the punishment of the person who attended that evil deed and approved it. The Prophet (Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him) said: “When the evil deed is done in the land, whoever attends its occurrence and renounces it (or disapproves it), would be like the one who did not attend it. And whoever dose not attend it but be satisfied with it, he would be like the one who attended it” [Reported by Abu Dawud, Sahih Al-Jame’]

قال رسول الله:رواه أبو داود، صحيح الجامع

Although the satisfaction is something in the heart, it made the punishment of the satisfied person (who did not see the evil deed) is equal to the punishment of the person who attended it.

This has many shapes and the following are some of them.

- Loving having the authority and not weighing its responsibilities and danger. This is what the Messenger of Allah (Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him) warned Muslims from it in his saying: “You people will be keen to have the authority of ruling, which will be a thing of regret for you on the Day of Resurrection. What an excellent wet nurse it is, yet what a bad weaning one it is!” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]


قال رسول الله: رواه البخاري

He meant by ‘the excellent wet nurse’ its beginning, because the beginning is accompanied by the wealth, honor and luxuries. And he meant by ‘the bad weaning’ its end because the end is accompanied by murder, discharge or death and reckoning in the Day of Judgment. He (Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him) Also said: “If you wanted me to tell you about the reality of authority and its fact, I would say ‘its beginning is reproach, its middle is regret, and its end is torment in the Day of Judgment except for the just ruler” [Reported by Al-Albani in the abbreviated authentic chain and Sahih At-Targheeb we At-Tarheeb]

قال رسول الله: الصحيحة المختصرة، صحيح الترغيب والترهيب

If seeking the authority was for the sake of bearing the responsibility where there is no one else to bear it better than the seeker (i.e. what has happened with prophet Yusuf peace be upon him) it would be very pleasant; however, in most cases it is just desire to take authority and overstep who has the priority to take it and seize the rights of people to control the process of decision making.

- Loving having prominent position in each gathering, talking all the time, enforcing the others to listen and seizing the process of decision making. Such prominent positions are the altars that the Messenger of Allah (Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him) warned us from in his saying: “Fear these altars” [Reported by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jame’]


قال رسول الله: صحيح الجامع

Loving having people stand up for him when he is received by them to satisfy the pride of his sick self. The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever likes people to stand up for him let him prepare himself, for his house in hellfire” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari in Al’Dab el-Mofrad ]

قال رسول الله: رواه البخاريفى الأدب المفرد

Therefore, when Mu’awia got out to Ibn Az-Zubair and Ibn ‘Amer, Ibn ‘Amer stood up and Ibn Az-Zubair (who was the most rational of both of them) remained in his position. Hence Mu’awia said to Ibn ‘Amer: “Sit down because I heard the Prophet Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him: ‘Whoever likes people to stand up for him let him prepare himself for his seat in the hellfire’” [Narrated by Abu-Dawud & authenticated by Al-Albani]

قال رسول الله: رواه أبو داود وصححه الألباني

These kind of people may get angry if the Sunnah of the Prophet, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, is practiced and the attendants were transacted in order from the right to the left. When such sick person gets in a gathering, he may make someone get up from his seat in order to sit there; although the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “A man should not make another man get up from his (the latter's) seat (in a gathering) in order to sit there” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]

قال رسول الله: رواه البخاري

Allah Almighty has praised Al-Ansar (the people of Al-Medina) in the Holy Quran by saying: {And (it is also for) those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Banû An-Nadîr), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own stinginess, such are they who will be the successful} [Al-Hashr 59:9]

قال تعالى: الحشر:9

Transliteration: wayuthiroona AAala anfusihim walaw kana bihim khasasatun waman yooqa shuhha nafsihi faolaika humu almuflihoona

He Almighty declared that the successful are those who are saved from their own stinginess. Surly the weakness of belief causes stinginess; the Prophet peace be upon him said: “Faith and stinginess never come together in a slave’s (servant of Allah) heart” [Narrated by An-Nisa’y and authenticated by Al-Albani]


قال رسول الله: رواه النسائي وصححه الألباني

As for the danger of stinginess and its effect on the self, it has been manifested by the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said in his saying: “Beware of stinginess, those who were before you had been perished because of stinginess. It ordered them to be stingy, so they became stingy. And it ordered them to rupture the bond of kinship, so they ruptured it. And it ordered them to lead a dissolute life, so they did” [Narrated by Abu-Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani]

قال رسول الله: رواه أبو داود وصححه الألباني

The Muslim whose faith is weak rarely gives charity, even if his Muslim brothers were in urgent need to it. The most considerable saying in this subject is the saying of Allah Who says: {Behold! You are those who are called to spend in the Cause of Allâh, yet among you are some who are niggardly. And whoever is niggardly, it is only at the expense of his ownself. But Allâh is Rich (Free of all needs), and you (mankind) are poor. And if you turn away (from Islâm and the obedience to Allâh), He will exchange you for some other people and they will not be your likes} [Muhammad 47:38]

قال تعالى: محمد:38

Transliteration: Haantum haolai tudAAawna litunfiqoo fee sabeeli Allahi faminkum man yabkhalu waman yabkhal fainnama yabkhalu AAan nafsihi waAllahu alghaniyyu waantumu alfuqarao wain tatawallaw yastabdil qawman ghayrakum thumma la yakoonoo amthalakum

Allah Almighty says: {O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allâh that you say that which you do not do} [As-Saff 61:2-3]


قال تعالى: الصف: 2-3

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo lima taqooloona ma la tafAAaloona (2) Kabura maqtan AAinda Allahi an taqooloo ma la tafAAaloona

Surly, this is a kind of hypocrisy. Whoever says that which he does not do, Allah would hate him, and people would hate him too. In the Day of Judgment, the people of the hellfire will discover the reality of those who enjoin the good but do not do it, and forbid the evil but commit it.

he would feel pleasure because others lost a grace and lost the thing that made them better than him.

some people do not ask for the good and the best when wanting to do something; rather they say: “Is this action prohibited?” or “Is it prohibited or just detested?” such a perspective of looking at things may lead to falling in the trap of the disliked acts and the acts that scholars differed about them. This would consequently lead to falling in what is prohibited. The one who adopt this criterion does not mind doing anything as long as it is not clearly prohibited. This is what the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) talked about when he said: “Whoever commits doubtful matters (i.e. the actions that there are doubt whether it is lawful or prohibited) will fall in sins; like the shepherd who grazes beside the borders (of private property) and he is likely to enter it” [Agreed upon, the narration is for Muslim]


قال رسول الله:متفق عليه واللفظ لمسلم

Moreover, there are some people who seek Fatwa about something and then say, after knowing that it is prohibited, is its prohibition grave or not?! How grave is the consequences?! Such a person does not care for avoiding the evil deeds and sins; rather he is ready to commit the minor sins and overlooking them, and underestimating the prerequisites of sins which may lead to violating the boarders that had been set by Allah and eliminating all the curtains that are between him and the sins. That is why the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “I know people of my Ummah (nation) would come on the Day of Judgment with white good deeds like the mountains of Tihamma, then Allah Almighty would make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust.” Thawban said: “O Messenger of Allah, describe those people and make them clear to us lest we are among them and do not know that.” The Prophet Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him said: “They are your brothers, living among you and pray at night as you do; however, when they are alone with prohibited acts (where no one can see them except Allah) they commit them.” [Reported by Ibn Majah and by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jame’]

قال رسول الله: رواه ابن ماجة قال في الزوائد إسناده صحيح ورجاله ثقات وهو في صحيح الجامع

Such a person commits what is prohibited without any hesitation; he is worse than the one who commits the prohibited act after hesitation. Although they both are in danger, the first one is worse than the second. Such a person takes the sins easy, because of the weakness of his faith, and do not think that he did a detested thing. That is why “The believer looks at his sins as if it were a mountain he is sitting beside it and he is afraid lest it may fall over him; however, the sinful sees his sins as fly passed by his nose and he pushed it away” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]

قال رسول الله:رواه البخاري

the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) taught us not to be like this. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, narrated on the authority of Abu Jary Al-Hujaimy that he came to the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) and said to him: “O Messenger of Allah, we are Bedouin people, so teach us something may Allah Almighty give us benefits because of it.” So, the Prophet, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, said: “Never despise a good deed even if it were just pouring some water from your bucket in the bucket of the person who wants water or talking to your brother with a smiley face” [Reported by Ahmad and in the authentic chain by Al-Albani]

قال رسول الله:مسند أحمد، السلسلة الصحيحة

Hence, if someone came to take water from a well after you had taken water from it, and you gave him water from your bucket, you should not degrade such deed although it looks simple. The same is applied to meeting your Muslim brother with a smiling face and removing the filth and garbage from the Masjid even if it was just a straw. Such a deed could be reason for forgiving the sins and Allah rewards His servant for these deeds by forgiving his sins. Did you not know that the Prophet Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him said: “A person while walking along the path saw a branch of a tree lying there. He said: By Allah, I shall remove this it does not harm the Muslims, and he was admitted to Paradise” [Reported by Muslim]

قال رسول الله:رواه مسلم

The self that despise the simple good deeds suffers from some defect. It is sufficient to know that the punishment of despising the simple good deeds is to be prohibited from great advantage the Prophet, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, talked about it in his saying: “Whoever removes anything troublesome from the path of the Muslims, a good deed will be recorded for him, and whoever his deed is accepted will be admitted to paradise” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]

قال رسول الله: رواه البخاري

Mu’ath (may Allah be pleased with him) was walking in the street with a man, and then Mu’ath removed a stone from the path. The man inquiring “What is that?”. He replied, “I heard the Messenger of Allah Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him say: “Whoever removes a stone from the road a good deed will be recorded for him, and whoever his deed is accepted will be admitted to paradise” Mu’ath replied.” [Reported by At-Tabarany]

وكان معاذ رضي الله عنه يمشي ورجل معه فرفع حجراً من الطريق فقال {أي الرجل} ما هذا؟ فقال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: للطبراني، صحيح

he is cold towards the oppression and the calamities that face his Muslim brothers round the world by their oppressing enemies and natural disasters. He is sufficient with his own well-being, which is a result in weakness of faith. However, the true believer is not like that. The Prophet, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, said: “The believer to the believers is like the head to the body, He feels pain for the believers like the pain felt by the body for the head.” [Reported Ahmad]

قال رسول الله:مسند أحمد، صحيح

the Prophet Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him said: “No two persons have Mutual love for the sake of Allah Almighty (or for the sake of Islam) would be parted from each other except for an evil deed (in other narration “Only the sin that has parted them”) one of them commits.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Ahmad]

قال رسول الله: البخاري، أحمد، صحيح

This is an evidence for the misfortune of the evil deed; it would endanger the bonds of brotherhood and cutting it. The loneliness that the person may feel toward his brothers is because of the weakness of faith resulted from committing sins. Allah Almighty degrades the sinner in the hearts of His servants; so, he lives between them the worst life with no grace or dignity. Moreover, he misses the company of the believers and Allah’s protection; Truly, Allah defends those who believe.

he does not work for propagating it or serving it. He is the contrary of the companions of the Prophet, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, who felt responsibility just after accepting Islam. This is Al-Tufail Ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him); how much time was between his acceptance to Islam and his going to his people to call them for Allah Almighty?! He promptly went to call his people. Once he accepted Islam; he felt that he should go back to his people. Therefore, he returned to his people as a caller to Allah Almighty. Nowadays, many people take a long time between their adhering with religion and reaching the level of calling to Allah Almighty.

The companions of the Prophet, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, used to observe the consequences of accepting Islam, which is taking the infidels as enemies and declaring innocence from them and cutting the relations with them. When Thumama Ibn Athal (the chief of the people of Al-Yamama) had been captured and tied up in the Masjid and the Prophet Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him offered him to accept Islam; Allah has thrown the light in his heart. Hence, he accepted Islam and went to perform ‘Umra (lesser pilgrimage). When he arrived to Mecca, he said to the infidels of Quraish: “No single seed of wheat would come to you from Al-Yamama before having permission from the messenger of Allah Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]


قال ثمامة بن أثال رضي الله عنه: رواه البخاري

Once he accepted Islam; he promptly cut relations with the infidels, imposed economical siege over them and provided all the available facilities for calling for Allah, because his true belief made such actions necessary.

you would see him trembled, confused and disconcerted. A confused individual he is, when he faces a calamity or an ordeal, seeing all the paths closed and overwhelmed with worries, thus cannot face reality with a rational mind nor a strong heart. This is a result of the weakness of his faith. If he had a strong faith, he would be firm and face the gravest calamities and worst catastrophes with firmness and steadiness.

the Prophet Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him said: “No people had gone astray after being guided but because of arguing” [Reported by Ahmad and Al-Albani in “Sahih Al-Jame’”]


قال رسول الله: رواه أحمد، صحيح الجامع

Arguing with no sound proof or intention leads to going astray from the straight path. How many people dispute today without knowledge or guidance, or a Book giving light (from Allah)! A sufficient reason for deserting this evil habit to know that the Prophet, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, said: “I am the chief of a house in the middle of paradise for whoever deserts the arguing even if he is right” [Narrated by Abu-Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani]

قال رسول الله: رواه أبو داود وصححه الألباني

a person’s heart would feel attached to this worldly life to the degree of feeling pain for missing some of its benefits such as money, authority, power and accommodation. He would think that he is overwhelmed and does not have luck for not having what others have. He would feel more pain and constriction in the chest if he saw his Muslim brother gained what he did not gain of this worldly benefits; moreover, he might envy him and hope for the diminishing of this grace from his Muslim brother. This is contrary to the true belief; the Prophet, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, said: “(Two things) do not come combine in the heart of a servant; (true) belief and envy” [Narrated by An-Nisa’y and Al-Albani in “Sahih Al-Jame’”]

قال رسول الله: رواه النسائي، صحيح الجامع

Therefore you might not find in his speech any imprint of a text from the Holy Quran or Sunna or the sayings of the righteous forefathers, may Allah mercy them.

he would exaggerate in caring for his food, drinking, clothing, housing, and riding. He would give great attention to luxury; do his best to make his clothes neat, spending time and money in decorating the house, although they are not necessary and many of his Muslim brothers are in urgent need to this money. He would do all of these things to get drown in the detested luxury. It is narrated on the authority of Mu’ath Ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) sent him to Yemen and recommended him, he said: “Beware of leading a life of ease and comfort because the slaves of Allah are not such people” [Reported by Abu-Nu’aym, Al-Albani and Ahmad]


أوصاه رسول الله فقال:رواه أبو نعيم في الحلية 5/155 وهو في السلسلة الصحيحة 353 وعند أحمد بلفظ إياي: المسند 5/243



There are many reasons for the weakness of faith. Some of these reasons are same as the symptoms (i.e. committing sins, loving the worldly life and adhering to it). The following are some reasons in addition to the above mentioned:

This is a major reason for the weakness of faith. Allah Almighty says: {Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) to be affected by Allâh’s Reminder (this Qur’ân), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fâsiqûn (the rebellious, the disobedient to Allâh)} [Al-Hadid 57:16]


قال تعالى: الحديد:16

Transliteration: Alam yani lillatheena amanoo an takhshaAAa quloobuhum lithikri Allahi wama nazala mina alhaqqi wala yakoonoo kaallatheena ootoo alkitaba min qablu fatala AAalayhimu alamadu faqasat quloobuhum wakatheerun minhum fasiqoona

This verse demonstrates the state of being away from the fiducial atmosphere which is a reason for the weakness of faith in the heart (i.e. the person who departs from his Muslim brothers for long time, because of travel or having a job or the like, would miss the atmosphere of faith that he used to live in and obtain from it the strength of his heart). The true believer has little power alone and has greater power when he is in the company of his brothers. “Our brothers are dearer to us than our family, because our families remind us with this worldly life while our brothers remind us with the hereafter.” If the period of being away of the fiducial atmosphere extends, leads to loneliness of the heart that later turns to repulsion from this atmosphere, all this results in the darkness and hardness of the heart fading out the light in it. This explains the reason of some people’s relapse in the holidays that they travel during them, or after their change of residence for the purpose of work or study.

Whoever takes knowledge from righteous person, that combines the beneficial knowledge with the good work, strong belief and provides his fellows with his knowledge, manners and virtues, would feel hardness in the heart if he deserted the righteous person for a period of time. When the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) died and was buried, “We censured our hearts,” and they felt loneliness because of the death of the teacher and the good example (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him). In some narrations they described themselves as “The sheep cattle in the winter rainy night”. However he (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) left behind him peaks every one of them has the ability to bear the caliphate, and they became good examples for each other. On the other hand, the Muslim of today needs a good example close to him.

There are books the reader feels that it vitalizes the faith in his heart. The Book of Allah is the first of these books then the books of the Hadeeth, then the books of the heart-milting (riqaq) which were written by pioneer scholars know how to present the creed in a way that revitalizes the heart . Neglecting these books along with reading the intellectual books only, or the books of the pure rules, or the books of the language and the fundamentals, may lead to the hardness of the heart. This is not dispraise to such books; rather it is warning for whoever deserts reading the books of Tafsir (exegesis) and Hadeeth. You may find such person does not read in them although they are the books that connect the heart with Allah Almighty. For example, when you read in the two Saheehs, you feel that you live in the era of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) with the companions and expose one’s self to the breezes of faith from their biographies, examples and the events that occurred in their era. The People of Hadeeth are the folks of the Messenger of Allah, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, while they didn’t accompany him, but they accompanied his words.

The effects of this reason (Neglecting books that nourishes faith) is clear on those who study topic that have no relation with the Islam; such as philosophy, sociology and other branches of knowledge that had been compiled away from Islam. The same can be observed on whoever likes to read science fiction and love stories along with those who like to follow up the unbeneficial news in the papers, magazines and autobiographies.

In such atmosphere, you would find someone boasts of a sin he had committed, second one intonates a song, third one smokes a cigarette, fourth one leafs a rakish magazine, fifth one curses and reviles … etc. as for the backbiting and matches news they are very widespread.

Some surroundings remind only with this worldly life. This is like many settings and offices where the priority is for talking about trade, job, money, investment, work problems, bonuses, promotions, deputations … etc.

As for the houses, there is much to say that could be scripted. There are a lot of the atrocious acts that make the Muslim feels shame and break his heart. There you may find rakish songs, vile movies and prohibited free mixing between men and women. Such environments surly make the hearts sick and hard without doubt.

The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) says: “Misery to the slave of Dinar, Misery to the slave of Dirham (money)” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]


قال رسول الله: رواه البخاري

And he (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) says: “It is sufficient for any one of you to take from this worldly life what the traveler takes for his journey” [Reported by At-Tabarany in “Al-Kabeer”, and Al-Albani in “Sahih Al-Jame’”]

قال رسول الله: رواه الطبراني في الكبير، صحيح الجامع

This Hadeeth means that one should take the little that is enough for achieving the goal. This phenomenon is widespread in these days where greed is common; nowadays people run behind trade, industry and partnerships. This is confirmation to the saying of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him): “Allah Almighty has said: ‘We have revealed money for performing prayers and giving the Zakat (obligatory charity). If the son of Adam had a valley of money, he would desire having a second one. And if he had two valleys, he would desire having a third one. Nothing would fill the heart of the son of Adam but dust, then Allah would accept the repentance of whoever had repented’” [Narrated by Ahmad and Al-Albani in “Sahih Al-Jame’”]

إن الله عز وجل قال: رواه أحمد، صحيح الجامع

Allah almighty says: {And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial} [Al-Anfal 8:28]

قال تعالى: الأنفال :28

Transliteration: WaiAAlamoo annama amwalukum waawladukum fitnatun

And He almighty says: {Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life; but Allâh has the excellent return (Paradise with flowing rivers) with Him} [Al-Imran 3:14]


قال تعالى: آل عمران :14

Transliteration: Zuyyina lilnnasi hubbu alshshahawati mina alnnisai waalbaneena waalqanateeri almuqantarati mina alththahabi waalfiddati waalkhayli almusawwamati waalanAAami waalharthi thalika mataAAu alhayati alddunya waAllahu AAindahu husnu almaabi

This verse means that if loving such things (which women and children are its forepart) has priority over loving Allah and his messenger, it would be detested and such person is dispraised. On the other hand, if this love was in the frame of Sharia and facilitates worshipping Allah, he would be praised. The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The most beloved things it me from this world are women and scent, and praying is the comfort of my eyes” [Reported by Ahmad]


قال رسول الله: رواه أحمد

Many people get driven behind wives and commit what is prohibited, and get driven behind the children and be preoccupied to the degree that takes them away from worshipping Allah Almighty. The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The child is a reason for sadness, cowardice, ignorance and stinginess” [Narrated by At-Tabarany in “Al-Kabeer”, and Al-Albani in “Sahih Al-Jame’”]

قال رسول الله: رواه الطبراني في الكبير، صحيح الجامع

He meant by its being a reason for stinginess that whenever the father wants to spend for the cause of Allah, Satan would remind him with his children; so, he would say: “My children has the priority. I will save this money for them lest they need it after my death” and does not become willing to spend for the cause of Allah. And he meant by his saying that it’s a reason for cowardice that whenever he wants to fight for the cause of Allah Satan will come and say to him: “You may be killed and the children become orphans and get lost” so, he does not get out for Jihad. And he meant by its being a reason for ignorance hat it makes the father busy and does not have time to seek the knowledge of the Sharia. And he meant by its being a reason for sadness that he would feel sad whenever his child is sick or asks for something he cannot provide. And if he is grown up as a disobedient child, this would be the lasting and consistent solicitude.

This does not mean to desert marriage, bearing children or raising them; rather it means to beware of being busy with them the prohibited busyness.

As for the temptation of money; the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) says: “There is a Fitna (temptation) for every Umma and the Fitna of my Umma is money” [Reported by At-Tirmizi and authenticated by Al-Albani]


قال رسول الله: رواه الترمذي وصححه الألباني

Being occupied by gathering money could ruin the religion more than the ruin that a wolf could do in a pinfold of sheep. This is what the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) meant by his saying: “No two hungry wolves, had been sent to sheep, cause damages than a person’s care for (two things) gaining wealth and honor to his religion” [Reported by At-Tirmizi and Al-Albani in “Sahih Al-Jame’”]

قوله: رواه الترمذي، صحيح الجامع

That is why the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) ordered Muslims to take what is sufficient and neglect taking anything more that could occupy the person from remembering Allah. The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “It is sufficient as property (wealth owned) to have a servant and a mount (something to ride) in the cause of Allah. [Reported by Ahmad and Al-Albani]

قال رسول الله: رواه أحمد، الألباني

The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) warned whoever gathers money except those who gather it to spend charity. He (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Woe to the gainers (of money), except who spends it there, there and there- pointed at the four directions -; his right, left, front and behind him” [Reported by Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani]

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه ابن ماجه، صحيح الألباني

It means spending it in the causes of good and giving it as charity in all directions.

Allah almighty says: {Leave them to eat and enjoy, and let them be preoccupied with (false) hope. They will come to know!} [Al-Hijr 15:3]


قال تعالى: الحجر: 3

Transliteration: Tharhum yakuloo wayatamattaAAoo wayulhihimu alamalu fasawfa yaAAlamoona

“What I fear most for you is; following the whims and the false hope of living long. As for following the whims; it repels him away from the right path. And the false hope of living long makes you forget the hereafter” . Also, it is said: “Four are signs of unhappiness; not shedding tears, the hardness of the heart, the false hope of living long and caring much for this worldly life.” The false hope of living long produces laziness in worship, delaying, loving this worldly life, forgetting the hereafter and heart hardness. The tenderness of the heart is a result to remembering death, grave, reward, punishment and the events of the Day of Resurrection. Allah Almighty says: {and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened} [Al-Hadid 57:16]


قال تعالى: الحديد: 16

Transliteration: fatala AAalayhimu alamadu faqasat quloobuhum

Moreover, it is said: “Whoever his hopes are little, his solicitudes will be so, and his heart will be lighted; because if he remembered death, he would perform more acts of worship.”

the excessive eating causes dullness and laziness concerning worship and feeds the paths of Satan in the human body. It is said: “Whoever eats much, would drink much then sleeps much and losses great rewards.” Talking much hardens the heart, and the excessive gatherings makes a barrier between the person and reckoning his self and taking care of what benefits it in the hereafter. Laughing much destroys the life of the heart. The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Do not laugh much because excessive laughing kills (hardens it) the heart” [Narrated by Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani]


قال رسول الله: رواه ابن ماجه، صحيح الألباني

Also, the time that is not occupied by worshipping Allah Almighty produces a hard heart that is not affected by the deterrents of the Holy Quran or the preachment of faith.

The reasons of the weakness of belief are numerous cannot be counted easily. However, the rest of these reasons could be deduced from what have been mentioned. This is very clear to every sane person. May Allah purify our hearts and save us from the wickedness of our selves.



The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “faith wears out in your hearts as the clothes wear out, so invoke Allah to revive faith in your hearts.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]


 
قال رسول الله:
 

Meaning that faith could grow old in the heart like a piece of cloths that needs to be renewed, and sometimes a cloud of sins could pass by the heart of the believer, so it darkens it. This is what the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) described by his saying: “There is no heart but has a cloud like the clouds of the moon. While the moon glowing, a cloud could pass by it, so it gets darkened; and when it passes away, it glows again” [Reported by Abu Nu’aym]

قال رسول الله: رواه أبو نعيم في الحلية 2/196

Sometimes clouds pass by a moon covering its luminous light after a while it moves away then the moon light appears again illuminating the sky. Likewise the heart of the believer, clouds of sins could pass by the heart of the believer, so they cover its light and leave the person in darkness and loneliness. However, when he seeks to increase his faith and seeks the help of Allah Almighty, these clouds go away and the light of his heart comes back.

Among the significant fundamentals in understanding the issue of the weakness of Faith, and knowing its cure, is to know that the faith increases and decreases. This is one of the fundamentals of the sound belief in Islam (the belief of Ahlul Sunnha wal Jam’aa). The true believer believes that belief is uttering by tongue, believing by heart and applying by the limbs; it gets increased by obedience, and gets decreased by disobedience. This is approved by evidences from the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, Allah Almighty says: {that they may grow more in Faith along with their (present) Faith} [Al-Fath 48:4]


قال تعالى: الفتح: 4

Transliteration: almumineena liyazdadoo eemanan maAAa eemanihim

and He says: {which of you has had his Faith increased by it?} [At-Taubah 9:124]


قال تعالى: التوبة: 124

Transliteration: ayyukum zadathu hathihi eemanan

And the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him): “Whom amongst you sees something evil should change it with his hand; and if he couldn’t, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he could not do it, then by his heart (deny it), and that is the least of faith” [Reported by Muslim]


قال رسول الله: مسلم

The effect of obedience and disobedience on the increase and decrease of faith is known and tried. If someone walked in the market looking at the unveiled women and listening to the market’s discourses, and then he went to the graveyard contemplating on the hereafter his heart softens, he would find great difference between the two cases, the heart is very changeable.

Some righteous forefathers say about this issue: “Among the signs of the servant’s understanding is to regularly check his faith and knows what is missing? Has his faith increased or decreased? When does Satan come to him?”

It must be known that if the decrease of faith led to deserting an obligatory act of worship or doing a prohibited thing, it would be dangerous detested defect that requires repentance and seeking remedy. On the other hand, if the decrease did not lead to deserting an obligatory act of worship or doing a prohibited thing (i.e. retreating after doing recommended acts of worship for some time), the person would steer himself till he goes back to his previous power and vitality in worship. The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “For every State of faith there is a Shera (power and vigor) and for every Shera there is a Fatra (weakness and tepidity), so whoever his Fatra is towards my Sunnah, he is guided; and however his Fatra is for something else, he would perish” [Reported by Ahmad]


رواه أحمد

Before talking about the cure it is important to mention a significant note. Many of those who suffer from the hardness of the heart seek cure from others although they could cure themselves, if they wanted. This is the natural state because faith is a relationship between the servant and his Lord. The following are some of the lawful methods that the Muslim could adapt to cure the weakness of his faith and get rid of the hardness of his heart after putting trust in Allah Almighty and having the self, accustomed to fighting for the cause of Allah;

Carefully contemplating on the Holy Qur’an that Allah Almighty has revealed as a manifestation to everything and as a light He Almighty guides by it whomever He wants. Surly, it has great and effective cure; Allah almighty says: {And We send down of the Qur’ân that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islâmic Monotheism and act on it)} [Al-Isra 17:82]


قال تعالى: الإسراء: 82

Transliteration: Wanunazzilu mina alqurani ma huwa shifaon warahmatun lilmumineena

As for the method of healing; it is ponder and contemplate carefully.

“The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) used to carefully contemplate the Holy Qur’an and repeats it in his prayer at night. Once, he stayed (in prayer) repeating one verse all the night till dawn came.” This verse was the saying of Allah almighty: {"If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You, are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise"} [Al-Maidah 5:118]” [Narrated by Ahmad and Al-Albani]


روى عنه صىل الله عليه وسلم: [المائدة: 118] رواه أحمد، وفي صفة الصلاة للألباني ص: 102

He (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) used to carefully contemplate on the Holy Qur’an to the greatest extent. Ibn Hibban narrated in his Saheeh on the authority of ‘Atarah that he entered with Ubaidullah Ibn Omair upon Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), and then Ubaidullah Ibn Omair said: “Tell us about the most astonishing thing you had ever seen from the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him).” She wept then said: “Once night, he stood up (for performing prayer) and said: ‘O ‘Aisha, let me worship my Lord.’ So I said: ‘By Allah I love being close to you and whatever pleases you.’ Then he purified himself and began performing prayer. He wept till he wetted his lap, and continued weeping till he wetted the earth. Then Belal came to tell him that the time of (dawn) prayer had come, but when he saw him weeping he said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, do you weep while you’ve been forgiven by Allah your past and coming sins?’ the prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Would not I be a thankful slave? There are verses had been revealed upon me tonight, woe to whoever recites them without carefully considering them: {Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allâh (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire}’” [Al-Imran: 190-191] [The authentic chain by Al-Albani].

قالت عائشة: [آل عمران: 19] السلسلة الصحيحة

This is an evidence for the obligation of considering the verses.

The Holy Qur’an contains monotheism, promise, threat, rules, news, stories, etiquettes and manners. The effects of such things on the self are numerous. Moreover, there are chapters that tremble one’s self more than other chapters. This is proved by the saying of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him): “Hud and its likes had caused my hair to turn white” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]


قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: صحيح الألباني

There is another narration states: “Hud, Al-Waqiah, Al-Mursalat, Amm Yatasa’lun (An-Naba) and Eza Ash-Shams Quwerat (At-Taquir)” [Reported by At-Tirmizi and authenticated by Al-Albani]

وفي رواية آخرى: رواه الترمذي وصححه الألباني

These chapters had whitened the hair of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) because of the facts of faith that they contained and the great obligations that they felt his heart with. So, their effects appeared on his hair and body {So stand (ask Allâh to make) you (Muhammad peace be upon him) firm and straight (on the religion of Islâmic Monotheism) as you are commanded and those (your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allâh) with you} [Hud 11:112]

قال تعالى: هود:112

Transliteration: Faistaqim kama omirta waman taba maAAaka

The companions of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite the Holy Qur’an, contemplate on its meanings and be touched by it. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was a heart tendered man. Whenever he leads people in prayer and recites the words of Allah, he cannot help weeping. Omar may Allah be pleased with him has become ill from the effect of reciting Allah’s saying: {Verily, the Torment of your Lord will surely come to pass. There is none that can avert it} [At-Tur 52:7-8]


قال تعالى: الطور: 8-7

Transliteration: Inna AAathaba rabbika lawaqiAAun (7) Ma lahu min dafiAAin

. Also, his sobbing had been heard from behind the rows (in the prayer) when he recited Allah’s saying about Jacob (peace be upon him): {He said: "I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allâh} [Yusuf 12:86]


قال تعالى: يوسف: 86

Transliteration: Qala innama ashkoo baththee wahuznee ila Allahi

. “If our hearts were pure, it would have never become full of the words of Allah (it would always desire having more).” He had been killed as a martyr and his blood had been shed on his copy of the Holy Qur’an. Numerous stories like these had been narrated about the companions of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him). Ayub narrated that he heard Sa’ied Ibn Jubair repeating this verse in the prayer more than twenty times {And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allâh} [Al-Baqarah: 281];


قال تعالى: البقرة: 281

Transliteration: Waittaqoo yawman turjaAAoona feehi ila Allahi

It is the last verse that had been revealed, and its conclusion is {Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly} [Al-Baqarah 2:281]


قال تعالى: البقرة: 281

Transliteration: thumma tuwaffa kullu nafsin ma kasabat wahum la yuthlamoona

“The verse that caused the death of Ali Ibn Al-Fudail was {If you could but see when they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say: "Would that we were but sent back (to the world)!} [Al-An’am 6:27]”


قال تعالى: الأنعام: 27

Transliteration: Walaw tara ith wuqifoo AAala alnnari faqaloo ya laytana nuraddu

He died because of it and I was among those who prayed upon him (the funeral prayer); May Allah mercy him. Moreover, they had situations with the prostrations of reciting the Holy Qur’an. It is narrated that a man (may Allah mercy him) recited the saying of Allah Almighty: {And they fall down on their faces weeping and it increases their humility} [Al-Isra’ 17:109]


قال تعالى: الإسراء: 109

Transliteration: Wayakhirroona lilathqani yabkoona wayazeeduhum khushooAAan

So he prostrated the prostration of reciting, and then reproached himself by saying: “This is the prostration, but where is the weeping?”

One of the deepest contemplation are the ones on the parables of the Holy Qur’an; because when Allah Almighty has put forward the parables in the Holy Quran, He incited us to think and consider. He said: {and Allâh sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember} [Ibrahim 14:25]


قال تعالى: إبراهيم: 25

Transliteration: wayadribu Allahu alamthala lilnnasi laAAallahum yatathakkaroona

And said: {Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect} [Al-Hashr 59:21]


قال تعالى: الحشر: 21

Transliteration: watilka alamthalu nadribuha lilnnasi laAAallahum yatafakkaroona

One of the righteous forefathers pondered on one of the parables of the Holy Qur’an, and could not understand its meaning; so, he wept. He was asked; “why do you weep?” He replied: “Allah Almighty says: {And these similitudes We put forward for mankind; but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allâh and His Signs)} [Al-Ankabut 29:43]


قال تعالى: العنكبوت:43

Transliteration: Watilka alamthalu nadribuha lilnnasi wama yaAAqiluha illa alAAalimoona

and I did not understand the similitude. Therefore, I do not have knowledge, and I weep for losing the knowledge.”

Allah has put forward, in the Holy Qur’an, numerous parables for us. Among these parables; the likeness of one who kindled a fire, the example of those who shouts to those (flock of sheep) that hear nothing but calls and cries, the likeness of a grain (of corn) that grew seven ears, the parable of a dog that lolls his tongue out, the likeness of a donkey which carries huge burdens of books, fly, spider, the likeness of the blind and the deaf and the seer and the hearer, the parable of ashes the wind blew them furiously on a stormy day, the parable of a goodly tree, the parable of an evil tree, the likeness of the water (rain) which had been down from the sky, the parable of a niche that there is a lamp within it, the example of the slave who has no power of any sort, the similitude of the (slave) man who is belonged to many partners disputing with one another … etc. I mean inciting you to go to the verses of the parables and carefully consider them.

“This could be accomplished through two things. First, transferring your heart from the atmosphere of this worldly life to the atmosphere of the life of the hereafter, then directing all its senses to the meanings of the verses of the Holy Qur’an and understanding them and the reasons of their revelations. You should take your share of the verses of the Holy Qur’an, and then pour it on the illness of your heart, and it will be recovered by the willing of Allah.”

Feeling the Greatness of Allah Almighty, acknowledging His names and attributes, contemplating it, understanding their meanings, and planting this feeling in the heart, transferring it to the limbs to start translating the feeling of the heart into actions. The heart is the king and master of the limbs, and the limbs are like the soldiers and subjects of that king and master. Therefore, if the heart is alright, the actions of the limbs will be good. On the other hand, if the heart is not alright, the actions of the limbs will not be good.

The texts of the Holy Qur’an and the texts of the Sunnah of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) that talk about the Greatness of Allah Almighty are numerous. If the Muslim considered these texts; his heart would tremble, his soul would prostrate to the Most High the Most Great, his limbs would submit to the All-Hearer the All-Knower, and his reverence to the Lord of the previous and coming would increase. Among His many names and attributes that are mentioned in the sacred texts is His being the Most High, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme, the All-Strong, the Most Great and the Most High. He is the Ever Living Who does not die while People and Jinn die. He is the Prevailing; the thunder glorifies and praises Him, and so do the angels because of His Awe. He is All-Mighty All-Able of Retribution. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. His knowledge extends over everything; He knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal. He described His knowledge by saying: {And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record} [Al-Anam 6:59]


قال تعالى: الأنعام: 59

Transliteration: WaAAindahu mafatihu alghaybi la yaAAlamuha illa huwa wayaAAlamu ma fee albarri waalbahri wama tasqutu min waraqatin illa yaAAlamuha wala habbatin fee thulumati alardi wala ratbin wala yabisin illa fee kitabin mubeenin

And He has told us about His Greatness: {They made not a just estimate of Allâh such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified be He, and High be He above all that they associate as partners with Him!} [Az-Zumar 39: 67]


قال تعالى: الزمر: 67

Transliteration: Wama qadaroo Allaha haqqa qadrihi waalardu jameeAAan qabdatuhu yawma alqiyamati waalssamawatu matwiyyatun biyameenihi subhanahu wataAAala AAamma yushrikoona

The prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah will take the whole earth (in His Hand) and wrap up the Heaven with His right Hand, and then He will say, "I am The King! Where are the kings of the earth?” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]


قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه البخاري

The heart get trembled when it considers the story of Moses (peace be upon him) and his saying to Allah Almighty: {"O my Lord! Show me (Yourself), that I may look upon You."} [Al-Araf 7:143]

قال تعالى: الأعرف:143

Transliteration: rabbi arinee anthur ilayka

and Allah’s reply: {"You cannot see Me, but look upon the mountain; if it stands still in its place then you shall see Me." So when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He made it collapse to dust, and Mûsâ (Moses) fell down unconscious. Then when he recovered his senses he said: "Glory be to You, I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers."} [Al-Araf 7:143]


قال تعالى: الأعراف:143

Transliteration: qala lan taranee walakini onthur ila aljabali faini istaqarra makanahu fasawfa taranee falamma tajalla rabbuhu liljabali jaAAalahu dakkan wakharra moosa saAAiqan falamma afaqa qala subhanaka tubtu ilayka waana awwalu almumineena

When the prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) manifested this verse; he recited it, then put his thumb finger over the upper joint of the pinkie and said: “So the mountain had subsided” [Reported by At-Tirmizi and Ahmad]


قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه الترمذي، وأحمد

Also, the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) described the greatness of Allah Almighty by saying: “His veil is the light; if he withdraws it (the veil), the splendor of His countenance would burn His creation so far as His sight reaches” [Narrated by Muslim]

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه مسلم

He (peace be upon him) also said: “When Allah ordains a matter in the Heavens, the angels flap with their wings in obedience to His statement, which sounds like a chain dragged over a rock." ('Ali and other sub-narrators said, "The sound reaches them.") "Until when fear is banished from their (angels) hearts, they (angels) say, 'What was it that your Lord said? They say, 'The truth; And He is the Most High, the Most Great'” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه البخاري

The texts that deal with this issue are numerous. We aim manifesting that feeling the greatness of the Lord by carefully considering these texts and their likes are one of the best methods of curing the weakness of belief. “He disposes the affairs of the kingdoms, orders, prohibits, creates, provides, causes death, grants life, honors, humiliates, causes the night and day to succeed each other, gives the (good and no good) days to people in turn, and turns states (raises one and perishes another). His power and might reach all the corners of heaven, earth, seas and air. His knowledge has surrounded everything, and He knows the exact number of everything … His hearing is extended to include all sounds; although their difference (in languages, and subjects), He hears them all with no confusion or annoyance of the insistency of the needy creature. His vision has been extended to include everything could be seen; He could see the faint steps of the black ant on the solid rock on the dark night. The invisible is visible to Him, and the secret is known to Him. {Whosoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him (its needs from Him). Every day He is (engaged) in some affair} [Ar-Rahman 55:29]

قال تعالى: الرحمن:29

Transliteration: Yasaluhu man fee alssamawati waalardi kulla yawmin huwa fee shanin

such as forgiving a sin, relieving a hardship, eliminating a solicitude, repairing a broken person, enriching a poor person, guiding a straying person, guiding a confused person, helping the needy, feeding a hungry person, clothing a naked person, healing a sick person, accepting a repentant person, rewarding a beneficent person, providing victory to an oppressed person, defeating a tyrant, covering shame, diminishing fear, raising people and lowering others … if all the inhabitants of the heaven and earth, all His creatures from the beginning to the end, and all people and Jinn where as pious as the most pious person had ever created; this would increase nothing to His kingdom. On the other hand, if all the inhabitants of the heaven and earth, all His creatures from the beginning to the end, and all people and Jinn where as immoral as the most immoral person had ever created; this would decrease nothing from His kingdom. If all the inhabitants of the heaven and earth, all His creatures from the beginning to the end, and all people and Jinn had come together in one place and asked Allah, then He gave every one of them what he asked for; this would decrease no single atom of His kingdom … He is the First that there is none before Him and the last that there is none after Him. He Almighty is the One Who deserves to be remembered much and worshipped alone. He is the One Who has the priority to be thanked. He is the Kindest Owner and the Most Generous One that had been asked … He is the King that has no partner; the One Who has no equal, the Self-Sufficient Master that has no child and the Most High that has no resemblance. Everything will perish except His Face, and every property will perish except his domain … There would be no obedience without His permission, nor would be any disobedience without His prior knowledge. People obey Him; so, He thanks them. Others disobey Him; so, He forgives their sins. Every punishment from Him is Justice while every grace from Him is favor. He is the nearest Watcher, the closest Guard. He took by the foreheads, recorded the deeds and specified the ages; therefore, the hearts reveal their secrets to Him, and the secrets are clear to Him. His grace is words and His punishment is words {Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, "Be!" - and it is!} [Ya-Sin 36:82]


قال تعالى: يس: 82


Transliteration: Innama amruhu itha arada shayan an yaqoola lahu kun fayakoonu



It is the knowledge that leads to fearing Allah and increasing believing in Him Almighty. Allah Almighty says: {It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allâh} [Faatir 35:28]

قال تعالى: فاطر: 28

Transliteration: innama yakhsha Allaha min AAibadihi alAAulamao

Regarding faith, those who do not know are not equal to whom knows; how could the one who knows the details of the Sharia, the meaning of the testimony of Islam and its requirements, the events of post-death (i.e. the test of the grave, the horribleness of the hereafter, the events of the Day of Judgment, the grace of the paradise and the punishment of the hellfire), the Sharia wisdom in making some things lawful and making others unlawful, the details of the biography of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) and the other branches of the Sharia knowledge, be equal in faith with the one who knows nothing about the religion and its rules and what the Sharia talked about?! Such individual has no connection to his religion except imitation, and his share of the knowledge is poor; {Are those who know equal to those who know not?} [Az-Zumar 39: 9]


قال تعالى: الزمر:9

Transliteration: qul hal yastawee allatheena yaAAlamoona waallatheena la yaAAlamoona

It leads to increasing the faith for many reasons including; remembering Allah, being covered by Mercy, the descent of tranquility, having the angels round the assembly, being mentioned by Allah to those who are near Him, and having the sins forgiven. This had been mentioned in authentic Ahadeeth such as the saying of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him): “The people do not sit remembering Allah but they are surrounded by angels and covered by Mercy, and there descends upon them tranquility as they remember Allah, and Allah mentions them to those near Him(Angels of the heavens)” [Reported by Muslim]


قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: صحيح مسلم

Sahl Ibn Al-Hanzalya (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “No people had been assembled for remembering Allah but it is said to them at the moment of leaving “Rise forgiven of sins.” [Saheeh Al-Jame’]

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: صحيح الجامع

“What is meant by ‘remembering Allah’ is continuously doing the acts whether obligatory or recommended acts; such as reciting the Holy Quran, reading the Hadeeth and studying (the Sharia) knowledge” . Among the evidences that proof that the assemblies of remembering Allah increase faith, the Hadeeth that is narrated by Muslim in his saheeh on the authority of Hanzala Al-Osaidy. Hanzala said: “I met Abu Bakr. He said: How are you? He (Hanzala) said: Hanzala has turned to be a hypocrite. He (Abu Bakr) said: Glory be to Allah, what are you saying? Thereupon he said: I say that because when we are in the company of Allah's Messenger (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) we ponder over Hell-Fire and Paradise as if we are seeing them with our very eyes and when we are away from Allah's Messenger (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) we attend to our wives, our children, our business; most of these things (pertaining to After-life) slip out of our minds. Abu Bakr said: By Allah, I also experience the same. So I and Abu Bakr went to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) and said to him: Allah's Messenger, Hanzala has turned to be a hypocrite. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: What has happened to you? I said: Allah's Messenger, when we are in your company, we are reminded of Hell-Fire and Paradise as if we are seeing them with our own eyes, but whenever we leave you and attend to our wives, children and business, much of these things go out of our minds. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, if your state of mind remains the same as it is in my presence and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allah), the Angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your paths but, Hanzala, an hour and an hour (meaning its between the two, the hereafter and the worldly affairs), he said this thrice” [Reported by Muslim]

عن حنظلة الأسيدي قال: صحيح مسلم

The companions of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) used to sit for remembering Allah and call this ‘faith’. Mu’ath (may Allah be pleased with him) once said to a man: “Let’s sit to believe for (some) time (do something that would nourish their faith” [Approved by Al-Albani]

قال معاذ رضي الله عنه: صححه الألباني

this is one of the greatest reasons of cure. It is great method has great and apparent effect. The truthful (Abu Bakr) had put forward a great example in this concern when the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) asked his companions: “Who amongst you has observed fast today?" Abu Bakr said:" I." he further asked: "Who amongst you has followed a funeral today?" Abu Bakr said:" I." he asked again: "Who amongst you has served food to a needy today?" Abu Bakr said:" I." he asked: "Who amongst you has given in charity?" Abu Bakr said: "I." he asked (for the fifth time): "Who amongst you has visited a patient to inquire about his health?" Abu Bakr said: "I." on that The Prophet, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, said: "Those (characteristics) never gather in a man but that he will enter Paradise.”. [Reported by Muslim]

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه مسلم

This story means that Abu Bakr As-Sidiq (may Allah be pleased with him) was eager to invest all the opportunities and perform numerous acts of worship. When the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) promptly asked this question, it appeared clearly that the days of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was full with the acts of worship. The righteous forefathers did their best in acquiring the good deeds and filling the time with them. This can be manifested by a sentence was said about many of the righteous forefathers such as Hammad Ibn Salamah. “If it is said to Hammad Ibn Salamah ‘you would die tomorrow’ he could increase nothing to his acts of worship”



Marching forth in the way of good deeds; Allah Almighty says: {And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqûn (the pious)} [Al-Imran 3:133]


قال تعالى: آل عمران: 133

Transliteration: WasariAAoo ila maghfiratin min rabbikum wajannatin AAarduha alssamawatu waalardu oAAiddat lilmuttaqeena

And He Almighty says: {Race with one another in hastening towards forgiveness from your Lord (Allâh), and Paradise the width whereof is as the width of the heaven and the earth} [Al-Hadid 57:21]


قال تعالى: الحديد: 21

Transliteration: Sabiqoo ila maghfiratin min rabbikum wajannatin AAarduha kaAAardi alssamai waalardi

The notion of these verses was a motivation for the companions of the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him). Muslim (may Allah mercy him) Reported in his Saheeh on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik his saying: “When the polytheists advanced towards us (in the battle of Badr) the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Get up to enter Paradise which is equal in width to the heavens and the earth.’ ‘Umair Ibn Al- Humam Al-Ansari said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, truly a Paradise equal in extent to the heavens and the earth?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ Umair said: ‘Bakhin Bakhin!’ (good good) The Messenger of Allah (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) asked him: ‘what prompted you to utter these words (i. e. Bakhin Bakhin! ')?’ He said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, nothing but the desire that I be among its residents.’ He said: ‘You are (surely) among its residents.’ He took out dates from his bag and began to eat them. Then he said: ‘If I were to live until I have eaten all these dates of mine, it would be a long life.’ (The narrator said): ‘He threw away all the dates he had with him. Then he fought the enemies until he was killed.’”


قال صلى الله عليه وسلم:صحيح مسلم

Previously, Moses hastened to meeting Allah and said: {and I hastened to You, O my Lord, that You might be pleased} [Ta-Ha 20:84]

قال تعالى: طه: 84

Transliteration: waAAajiltu ilayka rabbi litarda

Also, Allah almighty praised Zakarya and his family by saying: {So We answered his call, and We bestowed upon him Yahyâ (John), and cured his wife (to bear a child) for him. Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us} [Al-Anbiya 21:90]


قال تعالى: الأنبياء: 90

Transliteration: Faistajabna lahu wawahabna lahu yahya waaslahna lahu zawjahu innahum kanoo yusariAAoona fee alkhayrati wayadAAoonana raghaban warahaban wakanoo lana khashiAAeena



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه أبو داود في سننه، وهو في صحيح الجامع



 

قال تعالى في الحديث القدسي:صحيح البخاري



 

قال رسول الله: رواه الترمذي، وهو في السلسلة الصحيحة



 

وقد سئل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه البخاري



 

عنه صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه مسلم



 

قال تعالى: السجدة: 15-16


Transliteration:


 

قال تعالى: الذاريات: 17-19


Transliteration:




 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: صحيح البخاري



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم:صحيح البخاري



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم:متفق عليه



 

رواه البخاري



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم:رواه النسائي وغيره، و صححه الألباني



 

قالت عائشة: رواه أحمد



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه البخاري



 

عنه صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه الترمذي، وصححه الألباني





 

قال تعالى: المؤمنون: 60


Transliteration:


 

قالت عائشة: رواه الترمذي



 

قال تعالى: المائدة: 27


Transliteration:


 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه الإمام أحمد فى المسند، وهو في صحيح الجامع







 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه البخاري



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه الترمذي، وهو في صحيح الجامع





 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: » مسند أحمد، وهو في صحيح الجامع



 

أتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم رجل يشكو قسوة قلبه فقال له صلى الله عليه وسلم:الحديث رواه الطبراني ، انظر صحيح الترغيب والترهيب2544



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: صحيح مسلم



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: صحيح البخاري





 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه الترمذي، وهو في صحيح الجامع



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: صحيح الجامع



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه مسلم



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه مسلم



















 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه أحمد وهو في صحيح الجامع



 

ذكره النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، بقوله: رواه الشيخان وغيرها والسياق مجموع من الروايات









 

روى البخاري ومسلم وغيرهما: رواه مسلم



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه البخاري



 

وقالت عائشة رواه أحمد وهو في السلسلة الصحيحة



 

فقد روى ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لأصحابه لما وصلوا الحجر: رواه البخاري





 

قال تعالى: الأحزاب: 41


Transliteration:


 

قال تعالى: الانفال: 45


Transliteration:


 

قال تعالى: العنكبوت: 45


Transliteration


 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه الترمذي










 

قال تعالى: الكهف: 24


Transliteration:


 

قال تعالى: الرعد: 28


Transliteration:










 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه مسلم





 

قال تعالى: فاطر: 15


Transliteration:


 

قال تعالى: الشعراء: 205-207


Transliteration:


 

قال تعالى: يونس: 45


Transliteration:




 

قال تعالى: آل عمران:185


Transliteration:


 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه الطبراني في الكبير وهو في السلسلة الصحيحة



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه ابن ماجه وهو في صحيح الترغيب والترهيب



 

قال تعالى: الحج: 32


Transliteration:


 

قال تعالى: الحج: 30


Transliteration:


 

روى عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: رواه أحمدوهو في السلسلة الصحيحة












 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه ابن ماجه وهو في السلسلة الصحيحة



 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه الترمذي وهو في السلسلة الصحيحة









 

قال تعالى:  الحشر: 18


Transliteration:








 

 

 

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: رواه الألباني