The Impact of Faith on an Individual’s Life
Faith is built upon six fundamental pillars, as outlined by Allah (SWT) in the verse: “The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His Books and His messengers, [saying], ‘We make no distinction between any of His messengers.'” (Quran).
As narrated in a hadith between the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Gabriel (AS), faith is described as believing in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, the Day of Judgment, and in divine fate, both good and bad. When these pillars become firmly established in a believer’s heart, they produce significant effects in their lives, including the following:
Belief in the Scriptures and Sunnah
Faith compels a Muslim to accept everything conveyed by the Prophet (peace be upon him), even if it contradicts logic, as divine texts take precedence over human reasoning. A remarkable example is the reaction of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq during the event of Isra and Mi’raj; when the disbelievers approached him to sow doubt about the Prophet’s experience, he responded with unwavering belief, stating, “I believe him when he tells of the heavens early in the morning and in the evening; should I not believe him regarding Bait al-Maqdis?”
In today’s context, there is an ever-increasing need for unwavering certainty and complete confidence in the revelations from Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (peace be upon him), so that the community can stand strong against skepticism regarding the fundamental tenets of faith.
God-Consciousness in Public and Private
Being mindful of Allah (SWT) is one of the greatest fruits of faith. A faithful individual performs their duties, be they in acts of worship or their professional responsibilities, with the awareness that Allah (SWT) observes them. Every action undertaken is for the sake of Allah, while every wrongdoing is avoided out of reverence for Him. Such conscious awareness of Allah ultimately leads to goodness in one’s conduct.
This vigilance is a part of the concept of ihsan, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught: “Worship Allah as if you see Him; if you do not see Him, then know that He sees you.”
Dignity
A Muslim whose heart is imbued with faith understands that true dignity belongs to Allah. As stated in the Quran: “Indeed, dignity belongs to Allah and to His Messenger and to the believers.” Consequently, a believer derives their honor from their Creator, which explains the bravery and resilience exhibited by the early believers when confronted by their enemies.
Tranquility and Serenity
When a Muslim’s heart is filled with faith, they experience inner peace and psychological stability. Allah (SWT) assures this with: “Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” Thus, they lead a life filled with trust in Allah, delegating their affairs to Him, free from anxiety and mental distress, due to the strong presence of faith within.
The Impact of Faith on Society
Faith profoundly influences society because Islamic teachings were revealed to reform communities and foster a great Islamic nation that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) could proudly present to the rest of the world. Some of these societal effects include:
Unity and Cohesion
When faith spreads throughout a community, it promotes unity and harmony, preventing fragmentation and discord. Islam is a religion of unity, not division; as stated by the Prophet (peace be upon him): “The hand of Allah is with the community, and the devil is with those who lag behind.”
Upright Conduct with Others
As faith permeates the hearts of individuals, they will discard negative behaviors in their dealings with one another, leading to a reduction in dishonesty, deceit, and hypocrisy within society. Acknowledging that any shortcomings or harm from others comes as a decree from Allah (SWT) encourages individuals to forgive, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who did not become angry for personal reasons but only when the rights of Allah were violated.
Ways to Preserve Faith
Maintaining faith amidst trials and uncertainties requires effort and determination from the believer. Below are some methods that assist Muslims in remaining steadfast on the path of righteousness:
- Supplication to Allah for guidance and stability on the righteous path.
- Adhering to God’s commands by fulfilling obligations and avoiding prohibitions, as stated in the Quran: “Allah will keep firm those who have believed with the firm word in this worldly life and in the Hereafter.”
- Emulating our infallible Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and adhering to his noble Sunnah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised: “Adhere to my Sunnah and that of the rightly guided caliphs after me; cling to it and bite down on it with your molars.”
- Frequently remembering Allah, for as Ibn Abbas (RA) mentioned: “The devil is lurking in the heart of the son of Adam; if the individual remembers Allah, he withdraws, and if they forget, he whispers.”
- Exercising patience in obedience and seeking refuge in Allah from trials and tribulations, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed: “Seek refuge with Allah from temptations, apparent and hidden.”
- Choosing righteous companionship and avoiding corrupt associates and the misguided, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) cautioned against engaging with tribulations and advised believers to distance themselves from them.
- Never feeling secure from the deceits of Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) warns His servants of His plan: “But no one feels secure from the plan of Allah except the losing people.” Those who wrong themselves forget this divine warning and indulge in sins as if they have received a guarantee from Allah (SWT). True believers, on the other hand, tread the path of fear towards Allah (SWT), which leads to righteous actions and obedience to Him.