Belief in the Increase and Decrease of Faith
Source: Fatawa Ameenpuri — Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri
❖ Question
Does faith (iman) increase and decrease?
❖ Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Yes, iman increases and decreases. It increases through good deeds and decreases through sins. This is proven by the Qur’an, Sunnah, and consensus of the Ummah.
◈ Consensus of the Salaf
- Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ashʿari (324 AH) رحمه الله said:
"There is consensus of the Salaf that iman increases and decreases."
(Risalah ila Ahl al-Thaghr, p. 59)
◈ Qur’anic Evidence
- Surah Aal ʿImran (3:173):
﴿فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَانًا﴾
"…it increased them in faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs." - Surah al-Tawbah (9:124):
﴿فَزَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا﴾
"…As for those who believed, it increased them in faith and they rejoiced."
◈ Scholarly Commentary
- Hafiz Ibn Kathir (774 AH) رحمه الله wrote:
"This verse is one of the greatest proofs that iman increases and decreases. This is the view of the majority of the Salaf and Khalaf among the leading scholars. Indeed, more than one of them has reported consensus upon this."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir 4/175)
◈ Conclusion
- Iman increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience.
- This belief is established by clear Qur’anic verses, authentic ahadith, and scholarly consensus.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
