Iman (, , also 'recognition') in Islamic theology denotes a believer's recognition of faith and deeds in the religious aspects of Islam. Its most simple definition is the belief in the six Pillars of faith, known as . Shia theologians have proposed several theories regarding faithâÂÂor in its Arabic form, "Iman". Some assert that faith consists of a single pillar; the belief held in the heartâÂÂthe most inner and honest part of human being. Consequently, faith is defined as the affirmation of the heart, with verbal confession and actions playing no role in its actualization.
The term has been delineated in both the Quran and hadith. According to the Quran, must be accompanied by righteous deeds and the two together are necessary for entry into Jannah ("Heaven"). According to the Quran, the seat of faith is the inner heart, the innermost part of human perception, while the seat of "Islam" is the intellect. In the hadith, in addition to Islam and form the three dimensions of the Islamic religion.
There exists a debate both within and outside Islam on the link between faith and reason in religion, and the relative importance of either. Some scholars contend that faith and reason spring from the same source and must be harmonious.
In a hadith, the Islamic prophet Muhammad defined as "an acknowledgement in the heart, a voicing with the tongue, and an activity with the limbs." Faith is confidence in a real truth. When people have confidence, they submit themselves to that truth. It is not sufficient just to know the truth, but the recognition of the heart should be expressed by the tongue which is the manifestation of intelligence and at last to reflect this confidence in their activities.
Hamiduddin Farahi, while explaining the meaning of in his exegesis, wrote:
The definition of according to Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jama'ah is:
Ibn 'Abd al-Barr said:
Al-Shafi'i said in :
Muhammad bin Ismail bin Muhammad bin Al-Fadl Al-Taymi Al-Asbhani said:
Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah said:
Al-Ash'ari said:
Many verses of the Quran discuss faith, its effects, and its characteristics. Consequently, faith is distinct from Islam and is considered to be at a higher level. Faith embodies a profound truth that fosters a deep love for God. God guides believers out of "darkness" and into the realm of "lights".
According to the Quran, faith can both increase and decrease, and the hearts of believers achieve certainty and stability through it. The Quran also states that no one can be compelled or forced into faith or belief.
In the verses of the Quran, the mistakes, shortcomings, and sins of believers are highlighted, urging them to reform themselves.
Faith () includes six primary beliefs:
Of these, the first four are mentioned and the fifth implied in 2:285 of the Quran. All six appear in the first hadith of the collection , where the angel Gabriel asks to be told of and Muhammad replies:
Another similar narration ascribed to Muhammad is:
In the Qur'an, iman is one of the 10 qualities which cause one to be the recipient of God's mercy and reward. The Qur'an states that faith can grow with the remembrance of God. The Qur'an also states that nothing in this world should be dearer to a true believer than faith.
Al-âÂÂAbbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, âÂÂHe has tasted the sweetness of faith who is content with Allah as a Lord, Islam as a religion, and Muhammad as a messenger.â (Source: á¹¢aḥëḥ Muslim 34) He also said that no one can be a true believer unless he loves Muhammad more than his children, parents and relatives. At another instance, he remarked that it is this love with Allah and Muhammad after which a person can be aware of the real taste of faith.
Amin Ahsan Islahi, a notable exegete of the Qur'an has clarified the nature of this love:
Islahi and Abul A'la Maududi both have inferred that the Quranic comparison of a good word and a bad word in chapter 14 is a comparison of faith and disbelief. Thus, the Quran is effectively comparing faith to a tree whose roots are deep in the soil and branches spread in the vastness of the sky.
is also the subject of a supplication uttered by Muhammad to God:
"The Seventy-Seven Branches of Faith" is a collection compiled by the Shafi'i imam al-Bayhaqi in his work . In it, he explains the essential virtues that reflect true (faith and recognition) through related Quranic verses and prophetic sayings.
This is based on the following Hadith ascribed to Muhammad:
These 77 branches described by Bayhaqi are:
Thirty actions connected with the heart:
The seven works attached to the tongue:
Forty works are attached to the whole body:
In Islam, there must exist harmony and concord between faith and deeds. FarÃÂhë has explained this aspect in his in the following manner:
The relationship between reason and faith in Islam is a complex debate spanning centuries. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi states on this subject:
In Shia Islam (Twelver Shi'ism, the largest branch of Shi'a Islam), Faith (or in its Arabic form: Iman) is a sincere belief in God and His oneness, the prophethood, and the teachings of Muhammad, as well as the Twelve Infallible Imams. Shia jurists regard faith as an essential qualification for religious leaders, congregational leaders, judges, and Zakat collectors. Most Shia scholars assert that faith cannot merely be a form of imitation.
Shiite theologians regard belief in the Imamate of the infallible Imams following Muhammad, as a fundamental prerequisite for faith, alongside belief in monotheism, the prophethood of Muhammad, divine justice, and resurrection. According to the teachings of the Quran, faith is distinct from Islam and exists at a higher level. Furthermore, faith can fluctuate, increasing or decreasing over time, and no one can be compelled to believe.
Many Shia scholars assert that Islam encompasses more than mere faith; thus, every believer is regarded as a Muslim, yet not every Muslim is necessarily a true believer. Some Shia scholars, including Nasir al-Din al-Tusi and Zayn al-Din al-Juba'i al'Amili, contend that faith and authentic Islam are synonymous, while the outward practice of Islam exists at a lower level than genuine faith.
In Islam, faith is grounded in knowledge and understanding. Conversely, faith is also rooted in reason, and both are divine gifts that reinforce one another. Furthermore, from an Islamic perspective, there is a strong connection between faith and action; action serves as the outward manifestation of faith. If action is absent, it is evident that faith has not taken root in the heart.
In Shiite traditions and jurisprudential works, the term "Iman (faith)" is understood in both general and specific contexts. The general meaning refers to a heartfelt belief in all the teachings of Muhammad. In contrast, the specific meaning encompasses this general belief while also including the conviction in the imamate and guardianship of the Twelve Imams. According to this specific understanding of faith, all Twelver Shiites are regarded as believers.
Faith, in a specific context, plays a crucial role in various areas of Islamic jurisprudence, including Ijtihad, Taqlid, Ritual purification, Prayer, Zakat, Khums, Fasting, IÿtikÃÂf, Hajj, Waqf, Nazr, Judgment, and Testify. It is regarded as a prerequisite for the validity and acceptance of all acts of worship. Furthermore, faith is essential for the authority of Taqlid, the imam of the congregation, those entitled to Zakat and Khums, judges, witnesses, and the distributors of wealth appointed by the ruler of Sharia. Additionally, many Islamic jurists have specified that faith is also a requirement for the Muezzin of the congregation and the deputy during Hajj pilgrimage.
Al-Shaykh al-Mufid, a prominent scholar of the Imamiyyah tradition, defined faith as a heartfelt affirmation, verbal confession, and the practice of obedience of God. Similarly, Al-Shafi'i, a notable Sunni scholar, shares this perspective. Several Imamiyyah scholars, including Sharif al-Murtaza, Shaykh Tusi, al-Bahrani, Fazel Miqdad, and Abd al-Razzaq Lahiji, assert that faith is fundamentally an act of the heart. Thus, faith equates to a sincere belief in God, the prophethood of Muhammad, and the divine revelation. According to this view, a believer is someone who holds this conviction in their heart, and verbal confession is not deemed necessary.
The prominent Imamiyyah scholars assert that mere imitation is insufficient for genuine faith. The Mu'tazilites and the majority of Ash'arites concur with the Shiite perspective on this matter. In contrast, Sunni, Hashwiyyah and Ta'limiyyah, regard faith based on imitation as valid.