Increase and Decrease of Faith in Light of Qur’an and Hadith
Taken from: Fatawa Rashidiyyah, p. 234
❖ Question:
Does faith (iman) increase and decrease?
❖ Answer:
Yes, faith increases through righteous deeds and strong conviction, and it decreases due to sins and weak conviction.
This is clearly proven from the Qur’an and Hadith.
Evidence from the Qur’an
﴿فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَزَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَهُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ﴾
(Surah al-Tawbah: 124)
﴿وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا﴾
(Surah al-Anfal: 2)
- These verses confirm that faith increases.
- Whatever can increase must also be capable of decreasing.
Thus, when the Qur’an establishes that faith rises, it also implies that it can fall. This is an undeniable truth that only the ignorant would deny.
Further Clarification
For more detail, study Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, where the matter of the increase and decrease of faith has been elaborated in depth.
Conclusion:
Faith increases with obedience and righteous deeds, and it decreases with sin and disobedience. This is an established reality from the Qur’an, Hadith, and the consensus of the scholars.
