Aqeedah Summary

"The Reality of Iman and Its Invalidators"

Questions:

1.  How to protect your Iman against invalidating factors?

 The major way to protect Iman from being invalidated is learning about the things which invalidate it so that they can be avoided. One should beware of heretical beliefs about ISLAM, and actions which mock or disrespect Islamic faith. And one  should give up the association and admiration of those who deny ISLAM.

2.  How to strengthen the components of your Iman?

Some ways to strengthen Iman are doing good deeds, reflecting on the creations of ALLAH, controlling oneself, and seeking knowledge.

Summary

Declaration, acceptance, and "working by limbs" are a part of Iman (or Faith). Declaration means testifying to the truth about ALLAH, and the pillars of Iman. Acceptance means believing in ALLAH, and also believing in the pillars without doubt. And "working by the limbs" is the effort that obtains good and abstains from evil. Iman cannot exist without declaring the truth and believing in it.

Some scholars judge differently the place of "working by limbs", however, they agree that those persons without it are not disbelievers, but sinners, who can be punished or forgiven by ALLAH. This is because ALLAH commands from people both testimony of faith, and effort.

Remembering ALLAH’S name, doing good deeds for His Cause, and self-discipline strengthen the Iman, while disobeying ALLAH and being ungrateful for His favors weaken it. Iman is also strengthened by knowledge; those who know the detailed knowledge of Islam, and believe in it are ranked above those who know and believe in only the basic knowledge. Furthermore, faith causes contemplation and awe of ALLAH and His handiwork in creation.

The two testimonies, "There is no God but ALLAH" and "Muhammad is his Bondman and Apostle" is the basis of admittance to Islam. The first testimony makes one safe from an eternity in Hell-Fire. This testimony implies the correct belief in the Oneness of Allah’s Lordship, Godhead, and Attributes. The second testimony implies the correct recognition of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims are required to accept a person’s declaration of faith, but only ALLAH knows the heart’s true condition. The testimony is meaningless when it is said without belief, or when it is said only conditionally.

Blasphemy

There are four kinds of blasphemy:

1.)   To associate anything with ALLAH’s exclusive Sovereignty and Power.

2.)   To deny His Attributes and His Deeds or associate His creations in them.

3.)   To think ALLAH’s creation share in the rights of worship (i.e., bowing, sacrificing, legislation, and etc.).

4.)  To reject the Messenger and his commands, or attribute false things to his character or mission.

Moreover, blasphemy can be made through gestures, mockery (Holy Quran, 9:64-65), disgust, or stubbornness towards Islam. Denying a clearly recognized ruling of Islam is blasphemy, and so is disagreeing with, or denying any verses of the Qur'an.

Furthermore, faith is nullified through befriending, supporting, trusting, and agreeing with those persons or groups that deny Islam. Faith is also nullified through staying in a group, or conversation that mocks at ALLAH’S signs, and the person who does is considered blasphemous. This is because befriending disbelievers and being pleased with them, means being pleased with those who ALLAH is displeased with, and it also means such a person is ignoring or neglecting the Islamic reproof of their error, and hence foregoing the Islamic duty of "enjoining the good and forbidding the evil".

The relationships prohibited with non-believers is that of Maulah, i.e. giving them allegiance, protection, or friendship. Furthermore, this prohibition is for family members who are disbelievers, and fear of worldly loss cannot be an excuse. A Muslim should love ALLAH more than all of these things. (4:138-139) (5:51-52) (5:51-55, 58:22, 16:106-107).

However, it does not signify disbelief when a Muslim shows allegiance, utters blasphemy, or disregards certain rules of Islam due to persecution. In such cases, the Muslim’s heart remains loyal to ALLAH. (9:24). Despite this permission, the one who resists the compulsion to commit blasphemy under fear of death, will be more rewarded.

Signs of Blasphemy

A Muslim must condemn the various sects, laws, and governments that rule by un-Islamic laws. A Muslim must recognize that those leaders (5:50) (5:44) who encourage laws and customs other than Islamic ones are blasphemous, along with their supporters. Such rulers make regulations, which can only be rightfully made by ALLAH, such as allowing what is prohibited, and prohibiting what is allowed, or they often discard Islamic laws, labeling them as "backward" (4:60, 42:21).

The Judgement of Blasphemy and It’s Punishment

It is unjust for Muslims to give the verdict of blasphemy without proof, and applying careful criteria. A person who blasphemed cannot be regarded a disbeliever until it is confirmed that he was aware of the blasphemy of his statement, or action before he did it.

Blasphemy can deny the two testimonies directly, or implicitly, as when a belief or action  contradicts them. It is the Muslim community’s responsibility to see to the worldly punishments, and the Apostate’s marriage is ended, his participation in public Islamic rites is barred, and he is put to death if he does not repent. The punishment in the hereafter is eternity in hell-fire. But those who undertake the worldly punishments cannot assume what the Final Abode of the punished is, because only ALLAH knows the condition of the heart.