In The Name of Allah ..:: Steps of Iman ::..
By Charmaine Shah Quran and Etrat Internet University Islamic Ethics Course Fall 2010 http://university.etrat.net/pdf/lin.jpg Abstract: This article is about steps to Iman. There are many steps to follow to increase Iman. Following these steps below will bring one closer to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta3laa and make one feel purer at heart. Muslims are always trying to find a way to get closer to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta3laa and by doing these simple steps that are below would be pleasure to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta3laa. Keywords: Islam, Faith, Iman, Quran, Pillars Introduction: There are several steps of Iman that one can take to increase there faith in Islam. Some of the steps are as followed: Recognize and Repent, Perform salah regularly, Quranic recitation, do dhikr, voluntary fasting, doing good deeds, remembering death, remembering death, gaining knowledge, making dua, having trust in Allah Ta3laa. When one has strong Iman they feel as though they are a stronger Muslim, closer to Allah Ta3laa, and purer. Muslims strive to have strong Iman so that they can reach the highest part of Jannah. Recognize and Repent: Says Allah, Glorified be He: "Seek forgiveness of your Lord and then turn to Him in repentance." (Hud: 3) Those that turn (to Allah. in repentance; that serve Him, and praise Him; that wander in devotion to the cause of Allah,: that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe the limit set by Allah.- (These do rejoice). So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers. (9:112) Perform Salah Regularly: Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur'an: "The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses -this Qur'an- are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone); Who perform salah and spend out of that We have provided them. It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and Forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise)" (Al-Anfal: 2-4). Imam Ja'far as-Sadeq (PBUH) has said: "If there is a stream at the house of one of you in which one washes himself five times a day, will there remain anything from the dirt over his body? Verily, the likeness of prayers is the same as the stream. The person who establishes ritual prayers clears out his sins, except for the sin that takes him out from faith he believes in." [1] Quranic Recitation: Brings one closer to Allah Do Dhikr: . and remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue. (29:46), And remember the name of thy Lord during the morning as well as the evening. (76:26), O ye who believe let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. (63:10), O ye who believe, remember Allah much. And glorify Him morning and evening. (33:42-43), Some Beneficial dhikr include: SubhanAllah - Praise be to Allah., Alhamdulillah - Thanks be to Allah., Allah o Akbar - Allah is the Greatest.,La Ilaha Ill Allah - There is no worthy of worship except Allah. [3] (http://allahhuakbar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=974) Voluntary Fasting: "O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as were enjoined upon those before so that you be God-fearing." (Quran 2:183). Islam also prescribed certain days for non-obligatory, voluntary fasting, such as: each Monday and Thursday of a week, the 13th, 14th, and 15th day of each lunar month, six days in the month of Shawwal (the month following Ramadan), the Day of Arafat (9th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar), the Day of Ashura (10th of Muharram in the Hijri calendar), with one more day of fasting before or after it (For Sunni Muslims only. It is prohibited in Shia Islam), As often as possible in the months of Rajab and Shaban before Ramadhan. [4] (http://sanooaung.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/fasting-or-sawm-or-rozah-or-puasa /) Doing Good Deeds: Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur'an: "For those who believe and work righteous deeds is a reward that will never fail" (Fussilat: 8). One of the companions of Imam fell ill. Imam Ali called upon him and thus advised him: "Be thankful to God. He has made this illness a thing to atone for your sin, because a disease in itself has nothing to bring reward to anyone; it merely expiates one's sins. As far as reward is concerned, one has to earn it with his good thoughts and good deeds. The Almighty Lord grants Paradise to his creatures on account of their piety and noble thoughts." Selections from Book "Nahj-ul-Balaagha" (Peak of Eloquence) Remembering Death: 3:185 Every human being is bound to taste death: but only on the Day of Resurrection will you be requited in full [for whatever you have done] - whereupon he that shall be drawn away from the fire and brought into paradise will indeed have gained a triumph: for the life of this world is nothing but an enjoyment of self-delusion. 21:35 Every human being is bound to taste death; and We test you [all] through the bad and the good [things of life] by way of trial: and unto Us you all must return. Know that the person, who is engrossed in the world and cheated by its charming coquetries, is unmindful of the remembrance of death. They do not remember death and when they are reminded of it, they do not like it. Allah has said regarding such a man:"The deaths from which you flee away will meet you. Thereafter you will be led to the Knower of the world seen and unseen. You will then be informed of what you did." Hazrat Bilal bin Masood and Umar bin Abdul Aziz Radiallaho Anho said, "O People! You are not created for being destroyed". You will travel from one home to another home. For a believer, death is a gift. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam has said, "The gift for a believer is death". Due to the hardship which the believer goes through in this world, death becomes easy for him and all of his anxieties disappear. Therefore, it is described as a gift in the Hadith. Hazrat Mahmood bin Labeed says that the Prophet SWT said, "Mankind likes two things very much. One of these things is life, though death is much better for him, and the second is wealth though poverty makes accounting easy. Hazrat ibn Umar Radiallaho Anho says, "This world is paradise for the non-believers (they are engaged in their worldly desires and aspirations). This world is a jail or prison for the faithful (momins). They are bound by the laws of Shari at in every matter. Therefore, when the soul of a momin leaves his body (at the time of death), it is as if a captive has been freed from the cell. He cleans himself by turning in the dust. [5] http://allahhuakbar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=974 Gain Knowledge: Hadith in Al-Kafi, the most reliable of the four Shia books of Hadith, on the same matter: "The Prophets did not leave dinars and dirhams as inheritance, but they left knowledge." (al-Kafi, vol. 1 p. 42) The Importance of Knowledge in Islam: The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) says: "Learned discussions enliven the dead hearts provided they lead to Allah and His commands". (Usulul Kafi, p.20) , The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) says: "It is obligatory for every Muslim to acquire knowledge. Allah likes those who seek knowledge". (Usulul Kafi, p.15) The Holy Qur'an says: "Whoever is given wisdom and knowledge is blessed with bounties in good abundance". (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:272) Imam Sajjad (PBUH) says: "If people had known the advantages of acquiring knowledge they would have acquired it even if it had necessitated the shedding of their hearts' blood or of their going down into the deep seas".(Biharul Anwar, vol. 1, p.59) The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) says: "Allah opens the path of Paradise to one who takes a step on the path of acquisition of knowledge". (Muniatul Murid, p.11) The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) says: "The best monuments and legacies which a man leaves behind himself are a dutiful son, useful buildings, knowledge and wisdom which are benefited by the people after him". (Muniatul Murid, p.11) The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) says: "One who wishes to see those who are safe from the Fire of Hell should look at the seekers of knowledge". (Biharul Anwar, vol. 1, p.58) The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) says: "Acquire knowledge even if it be in China". (Biharul Anwar, vol. 1, p.57) Imam Ali (PBUH), says: "Do not feel shy of learning what you do not know". (Nahjul Balaghah, p.1113) Imam Ali (PBUH), says: "O people! Remember that the excellence of your faith lies in acquiring knowledge and acting upon it. It is more essential for you to crave for knowledge than for riches". (Usulul Kafi, p.15) Imam Ja'far Sadiq (PBUH), says: "Knowledge and action are associated with each other because whoever possesses knowledge acts upon it and the knowledge and wisdom of the one who puts them into practice remains unimpaired. Knowledge is a Divine voice which invites its bearer to act upon it. If he accepts its invitation and acts his knowledge lasts but if he does not give a positive response it forsakes him". (Usulul Kafi, p.22) Imam Ja'far Sadiq (PBUH), says: "A person who learns a tradition for worldly gains does not benefit from it in the Hereafter, and if he learns it for his betterment in the next world, Allah blesses him in this world as well as in the Hereafter".(Biharul Anwar, vol. 1, p.111) Imam Ja'far Sadiq (PBUH), says: "Your teacher enjoys the right over you that you should honour him and pay him respect in different assemblies. You should be very attentive to his words. You should not raise your voice above his. If anybody asks him a question you should not give a reply thereto. You should not converse with others in his presence and you should allow the people to benefit from his knowledge. You should not speak ill of anyone before him. If anybody speaks ill of him in your presence you should defend him. You should conceal his shortcomings and bring his virtues to light. You should not associate with his enemies and should not dispute with his friends. If you act on these lines the angels of Allah will testify that you have paid attention to him and have acquired knowledge for the sake of Allah and not to attract the attention of the people. And the right of your pupils on you is that you should realise that in granting you knowledge and opening its path for you, Allah has appointed you to be their guardian. In case, therefore you teach them properly and do not frighten them and are not furious with them Allah will, through His kindness, increase your knowledge. But if you drive the people away from knowledge and as and when they approach you for it you frighten them and get annoyed with them it will be only appropriate that Almighty Allah may take away the light of knowledge from you and may degrade you in the eyes of the people". (Makarimul Akhlaq, p.484) The Holy Qu'ran says: "Allah elevates to high positions those from amongst you who are faithful and those who have acquired knowledge". (Surah al-Mujadilah, 58:11) Imam Ali, (PBUH) says: "The learned men and scholars will continue to exist till the world lasts. Although their bodies may be hidden from the eyes their impressions will for ever remain imprinted in the hearts of the people". (Nahjul Balaghah, p.1146) The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) says: "Sleep of a scholar is superior to one thousand rak'ats of prayers offered by a devout person". (Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.76) The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) says: "A scholar is like a person who always observes fast and offers prayers and he is like a mujahid who sacrifices his life in the cause of Allah. As and when a scholar dies a breach takes place in Islam which cannot be filled till the Day of Judgement". (Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.82) Imam Ali, (PBUH) says: "Two rak'ats of prayers offered by a scholar are better than seventy rak'ats of prayers offered by an ignorant person". (Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.65) The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) says: "Having the company of learned scholars is (Allah's) worship". (Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.64) The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) says: "Looking at their faces is (also) worship". (Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.61) Imam Ja'far Sadiq, (PBUH), says: "On the Day of Judgement Allah will be pleased with a person who honours and respects a Muslim scholar; and He will be annoyed with one who insults a Muslim scholar". (Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.82) Knowledge is better than wealth because it protects you while you have to guard wealth. it decreases if you keep on spending it but the more you make use of knowledge ,the more it increases . What you get through wealth disappears as soon as wealth disappears but what you achieve through knowledge will remain even after you." Hazrat Ali Ibne Abi Talib (PBUH) [6] http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=7169 Making Dua: Allah the Exalted, has said: "And your Lord says: Pray unto me: and I will hear your prayer" (Quran 40:60), "Call upon your Lord Humbly and in secret" (Quran 7:55), "When My servants question thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me" (Quran 2:186), "Is not He (best) who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and who relieves its suffering." (Quran 27:62). Having trust in Allah Ta3laa: In Surah At-Tauba: 51, Allah (SWT) says "Say: 'Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector': And on Allah let the Believers put their trust." , In Surah Ash-Shu'araa:217 Allah (SWT) says "And put thy trust on the exalted in Might, The Merciful." , In Surah Al-Imran:159, Allah (SWT) says "...Then, when thou hast taken a decision, put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).", If Allah helps you, none can overcome you: If He forsakes you, who is there, after that, that can help you? In Allah, then, Let believers put their trust. 3:160 [7] wilayat.net/index.php Conclusions: If one follows the above steps then they should have no problems with their Iman growing stronger, getting the pleasure of Iman, pleasing Allah SWT and entering Jannah. We all have busy schedules and often wonder how we can increase our Iman. By taking these simple steps and adding them to our daily routine, a person should not have any problems increasing their Iman. References: [1] Behar al-Anwar, Volume 82, page 236 [2] http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=7500&page=2 [3] http://allahhuakbar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=974 [4] (http://sanooaung.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/fasting-or-sawm-or-rozah-or-puasa /) [5] http://allahhuakbar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=974 [6] http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=7169 [7] wilayat.net/index.php http://university.etrat.net/pdf/lin.jpg http://university.etrat.net/pdf/signature.png -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "shiagroup" group. To post to this group, send email to shiagr...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to shiagroup+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/shiagroup?hl=en.
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