Tasting the Sweetness of Faith

The concept of īmān involves a steadfast belief in the pillars of faith: Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree (al-Qadr).

The Prophet ﷺ stated, “Īmān has numerous branches, the highest of which is to declare that there is no god but Allah; and the lowest of which is to remove a harmful object from the road. And modesty is a branch of īmān” (Muslim).

The essence of īmān lies in wholeheartedly accepting لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ, which means there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. This phrase is the bedrock of faith, the basis upon which the heavens and the earth were created, and the foundation for the existence of countless messengers. It encompasses the ultimate purpose of creation, the Day of Judgment, and the eternal consequences that follow.

Ibn Abī al-ʿIzz al-Ḥanafī (raḥimahullāh) observed, “The Prophet ﷺ informed us that īmān comprises various elements, each of which is considered īmān. Thus, prayer (ṣalāh) is a part of īmān, as is giving charity (zakāh), fasting (ṣawm), and pilgrimage (ḥajj). Additionally, inner qualities like humility, reliance on Allah, awe of Allah, and repentance are all integral components of īmān. Even actions as seemingly simple as removing an obstacle from a path are expressions of īmān."

Navigating Fitan (Trials) with Faith

The Prophet ﷺ cautioned that īmān can wane in the heart, just as clothes wear out. Thus, believers must constantly renew their faith (Ṭabarānī).

Like a tree that requires nurturing, īmān must be tended to, watered with beneficial knowledge and good deeds, and safeguarded from the pests of sin and desire. This nurturing prevents its withering. In the face of worldly distractions, protection against doubts and transgressions is essential to maintain strong faith.

In times of temptation and tribulation (fitan), īmān's resilience and reward are significant. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Ahead of you are days requiring patience, where holding onto faith will be as difficult as grasping a hot coal. Those who do good deeds in these days will be rewarded as if they had the good deeds of fifty people” (Tirmidhī).

The Savor of Īmān and Why People Leave It

The departure from faith, often seen in atheism, secularism, and materialism, stems from an inadequate understanding of īmān's essence. True īmān, as recognized by Heraclius, is when its delight pervades the heart (Bukhārī). A heart untouched by the sweetness of īmān lacks the awareness of what it's relinquishing.

Preliminary to embracing Islam, Abū Sufyān (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) testified that true īmān is marked by delight entwined within the heart. This sentiment is echoed in the Qur'an, stating that īmān is not yet fully established unless it enters the heart (49:14).

The True Essence of Īmān and Its Taste

The ultimate realization of īmān lies in tasting its sweetness—a joy intrinsic to worshiping Allah. The flavor of īmān is a taste unique to the heart, akin to savoring food through the mouth. This sweetness permeates through the heart just as nourishment sustains the body. Empty acts devoid of spiritual connection are like empty rituals.

Sins as Barriers to Tasting Īmān

Sins corrode the heart's ability to savor the sweetness of worship and faith. Just as sickness impairs the taste of food, sinful behaviors dull the heart's ability to relish īmān. The more one relishes in sin, the less one can taste the joy of worship.

To Taste the Sweetness of Īmān

To taste īmān's sweetness, one must embrace its full essence. This involves combining external acts of worship with internal devotion. Aiming for Allah's pleasure in every action, trusting in Him, fearing Him, reciting Qur'ān, praying, supplicating, and so on—all contribute to tasting the sweetness of īmān. This tasting hinges on:

1. Love for Allah and His Messenger above all else.

2. Loving for the sake of Allah.

3. Firm conviction in divine decree.

4. Satisfaction with Allah as Rabb and Islam as dīn.

The Outcome of Tasting Īmān

Experiencing the sweetness of īmān transforms one's life. It provides the strength to endure difficulties, making the bitterness of life's trials more palatable. This taste enhances devotion, deters from sin, and empowers believers to hold fast during trials.

The desire for this sweetness should drive believers to seek it, cherish it, and yearn for Allah's company in Paradise. Through heartfelt supplications and seeking the Prophet's guidance, believers can beseech Allah to grace them with the flavor of īmān and guide them to its path.