The Reality of Faith and 4 Causes Behind Its Increase and Decrease Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
Definition of Īmān According to Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah
According to the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah, faith (Īmān) consists of three essential components:
❀ Affirmation by the Heart (Iqraar bil-Qalb)
❀ Declaration by the Tongue (Nutuq bil-Lisān)
❀ Action by the Limbs (ʿAmal bil-Jawāriḥ)
Does Īmān Increase and Decrease?
Based on the above definition, it becomes clear that Īmān can both increase and decrease. This variation is caused by several factors, detailed as follows:
Causes of Increase in Faith
➊ Variation in Levels of Certainty
The degree of affirmation by the heart varies.
A person who sees something with his own eyes is more convinced than one who only hears about it.
Example:
﴿رَبِّ أَرِني كَيفَ تُحيي المَوتى قالَ أَوَلَم تُؤمِن قالَ بَلى وَلـكِن لِيَطمَئِنَّ قَلبي﴾
(Surah al-Baqarah, 2:260)
Translation:
“O my Lord, show me how You give life to the dead.” Allah said, “Do you not believe?” He replied, “Yes, but just to bring tranquility to my heart.”
Prophet Ibrāhīm (ʿalayhis-salām) sought to witness the resurrection of the dead to attain greater spiritual reassurance.
➋ Attending Gatherings of Remembrance
Faith increases when one attends gatherings of knowledge and admonition where Paradise and Hell are mentioned. These strengthen conviction and uplift the soul.
➌ Remembrance and Worship
The one who frequently remembers Allah ﷻ has stronger faith than one who is negligent.
Similarly, a person who performs acts of worship with sincerity and humility possesses a higher level of faith than one who worships with heedlessness.
➍ Increase Through the Qur’an
﴿وَيَزدادَ الَّذينَ آمَنوا إيمـنًا﴾
(Surah al-Muddaththir, 74:31)
﴿فَأَمَّا الَّذينَ آمَنوا فَزادَتهُم إيمـنًا وَهُم يَستَبشِرونَ﴾
(Surah al-Tawbah, 9:124)
Meaning:
The revelation of the Qur’an increases the faith of the believers. They find joy and certainty, while the hypocrites become more corrupt.
➎ Proof from Hadith
«مَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْ نَاقِصَاتِ عَقْلٍ وَدِينٍ أَذْهَبَ لِلُبِّ الرَّجُلِ الْحَازِمِ مِنْ إِحْدَاكُنَّ»
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Menstruation, Hadith: 304)
Meaning:
The Prophet ﷺ said, “I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion who can dominate a resolute man more than one of you (women).”
This indicates that faith can fluctuate based on conditions and obligations.
Further Causes for Strengthening Faith
➊ Knowledge of Allah ﷻ
The more a person understands Allah’s Names and Attributes, the more strong and stable their faith becomes. The faith of the scholars is stronger than that of the common people.
➋ Reflection on Divine Signs
﴿وَفِى الأَرضِ ءايـتٌ لِلموقِنينَ﴾
﴿وَفى أَنفُسِكُم أَفَلا تُبصِرونَ﴾
(Surah al-Dhāriyāt, 51:20–21)
Translation:
“In the earth are signs for the people of certainty—and in your own selves too; will you not then see?”
Contemplating the signs of creation and revelation leads to a deepening of faith.
➌ Abundant Acts of Worship
Both verbal and physical acts of worship—such as dhikr, prayer, fasting, Hajj, etc.—lead to both qualitative and quantitative increase in faith.
Causes of Decrease in Faith
➊ Ignorance
Lack of knowledge about Allah’s Names and Attributes results in weakened faith.
➋ Lack of Reflection
Neglecting to ponder over divine signs and creation leads to stagnation or decline in faith.
➌ Committing Sins
«لَا يَزْنِي الزَّانِي حِينَ يَزْنِي وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ»
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Hudud, Hadith: 6772;
Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Hadith: 57)
Meaning:
“The one who commits fornication is not a believer at the time he commits it.”
This proves that major sins impact the completeness of faith.
➍ Neglecting Obligatory Acts
Deliberately abandoning obligatory duties without valid excuse leads to decreased faith and may warrant blame and punishment.
However, if such neglect is due to a Sharʿī excuse (e.g., menstruation preventing a woman from fasting or praying), it is not blameworthy.
Conclusion
According to Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah, the true nature of Īmān includes:
✔ Belief in the heart
✔ Declaration by the tongue
✔ Actions of the limbs
And it is firmly established that Īmān increases and decreases.
The Qur’an, Hadith, reason, and observable reality all point to this fact.
❝ Hādhā mā ‘indī, wallāhu a‘lam biṣ-ṣawāb ❞
(This is what I know; and Allah knows best what is right.)
