Imān

Definition

Belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and qadr (good and evil). It is statement of the tongue, action of the limbs, and belief of the heart — increasing with obedience and decreasing with disobedience.

Pronunciation: ī-MĀN

Etymology & Root

From the root أ-م-ن (a-m-n), meaning 'to be safe, secure, to trust.' Linguistically, imān is to affirm with trust; legally, it is firm belief that necessitates submission and action.

Usage in the Qur'an

'The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith.' (al-Anfāl 8:2) — establishing that imān increases.

Usage in the Sunnah

The famous Hadith of Jibrīl defines imān as: 'To believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in qadr — its good and its evil.' (Muslim 8)

Scholarly Notes

Ahl us-Sunnah hold imān to be belief, statement, and action — increasing with obedience and decreasing with sin. This refutes the Murji'ah (who excluded action) and the Khawārij (who exited the sinner from Islam).

Common Misconceptions

Some reduce imān to mere belief in the heart — a Murji' position. Others elevate every sin to disbelief — a Khārijī excess. The Salafī balance is in between: action is part of imān, but major sin does not exit Islam.

Practical Application

Nourish imān daily through Qur'an recitation, dhikr, righteous company, and acts of obedience. Recognise that sins weaken it, and rush to repentance when they occur.

More from Aqeedah Terms