Belief in the Unseen
Belief in the unseen is considered one of the foundational pillars of faith in Allah – the Exalted – that every believer must embrace in order to be counted among the faithful. This belief encompasses the conviction that there are matters beyond sensory perception, for which we rely solely on truthful reports for knowledge. In the Holy Quran, this is referred to as the knowledge of witnessing (عِلمُ الشَّهَادَة). When this belief becomes deeply rooted in the hearts of individuals, it yields significant effects on both the individual and the community. In this article, we will explore some of these effects.
Effects of Belief in the Unseen on the Individual
A person who truly believes in the unseen experiences happiness in a time marked by hardship, and enjoys security in an era filled with fear. This rich treasure has several profound impacts, including:
- The individual feels the watchful presence of Allah – the Exalted – aware that God sees all of their actions, large and small. As stated in the Quran: (مَا يَكُونُ مِنْ نَجْوَى ثَلاثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ وَلا خَمْسَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ سَادِسُهُمْ وَلا أَدْنَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَلا أَكْثَرَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كَانُوا).
- The believer constantly feels the companionship of God, which motivates them to engage in good deeds and promptly respond to God’s commands.
- Believers cultivate a sense of shame regarding sinful actions, confident in the knowledge that Allah – Almighty – observes them, and that angels record every deed, whether good or bad, as mentioned in the verse: (مَا يَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ).
- Believers take pride in the words of Allah, diligently reciting, memorizing, understanding, and applying them, which stems from their faith in divine scriptures.
- They consider the lives of the prophets, particularly that of the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – as a model and guiding principle, affirming their belief in all the messengers.
- Believers find tranquility regarding their circumstances, irrespective of external conditions, as faith in divine destiny leads them to rely solely on Allah.
- Believers remain steadfast in their obedience and resilient during trials, maintaining firmness in all situations.
Effects of Belief in the Unseen on Society
If each individual in a community embodies the core tenets of faith and exhibits its effects personally, we will witness a society characterized by righteousness and cooperation, along with numerous other benefits. Among these are:
- The proliferation of good deeds and the avoidance of wrongdoing.
- Governance according to divine laws and the commandments of Allah – the Exalted – rather than relying on man-made regulations.
- Encouragement of good and prohibition of evil; a person whose faith is deep-rooted will not stand idly by in the face of immorality.
- Fulfillment of promises, covenants, and integrity in their transactions, motivated by a sincere fear of wronging others.
- Exhibiting patience, kindness, goodness, and noble attributes that elevate their character.
- Fostering love among believers and a disdain for disbelievers.
- Extending assistance to the needy, embodying the sentiment that Muslims are like a single entity, as highlighted by the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – when he stated: (مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ في تَوَادِّهِمْ، وتَرَاحُمِهِمْ، وتَعاطُفِهِمْ مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ إذا اشْتَكَى منه عُضْوٌ تَداعَى له سائِرُ الجَسَدِ بالسَّهَرِ والْحُمَّى).