What stops a Muslim from having Iman?
It is pretty common to find Muslims who adhere to the religion because of culture, their family, upbringing etc. Islam is their cultural identity and the religion that they will tick in forms.
Such people will somewhat practise Islam but will lack discipline and consistency i.e. not praying regularly/ missing obligations or engaging in riba, using intoxicants... it being a normative part of life to persist upon sin etc.
This tends to be because they are Muslims but Iman has not settled into their heart.
Iman is a strong conviction of Islam as the truth which is deeply rooted in the heart and manifests via affirmation of the tongue (shahada) and through the actions of limbs.
For someone who has Iman, it will be heinous/ unimaginable for them to willingly miss prayers…because they know it is a major sin that earns the displeasure of their Lord. Whereas, someone who is a Muslim because of family affiliation will not be so bothered by missing Salah.
So what can stop a Muslim from having Iman?
A major reason for the absence of Iman, which can be overlooked, is immodesty,
"Modesty (Haya) and faith (Iman) are companions together. If one of them is lifted, the other is lifted as well." (Authenticated by Al- Albani)
Modesty (one's clothing to behaviour) is part of the deen of Islam,
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Faith consists of more than sixty branches, and haya (modesty/shyness) is a part of faith."
One has to wake up from modernity fairytales that a person can be a great believer with beautiful Iman and be immodest. This is shaitan’s trap to misguide. Many online influencers give dawah whilst not wearing hijab/ free mixing/ using profanity etc.
Such people can be likable (like many non-Muslims out there) but they do not possess strong Iman. One has to keep at the forefront that they are influencers who are growing their platform, making revenue streams using the world’s fastest growing religion to do so.
The hadith tells us that modesty and Iman are intertwined and it is impossible to possess one without the other. Just like it is impossible to be a medical doctor without studying medicine. Modesty is a requisite to attaining the precious gift of soaring Iman.
Our Lord has obligated upon this Ummah modesty,
"O children of Adam! We have provided for you clothing to cover your modesty, and as an adornment. But the clothing of righteousness—that is best." (Surah al-A’raf: 26)
To move away from being a Muslim by identity to being gifted strong Iman (having certainty of faith, living purpose passionately and being of those who are close to their Lord) one must choose modesty as their lifestyle.
One's clothing, hijab, interactions (particularly with the opposite gender,) language, body language should be in accordance to Allah azza wa jal's criterion for salvation as opposed to man-made nafs ones.
There is no better incentive to change then to do so for the Lord of the Universe. Any change one makes for Him will be met with immense rewards/ blessings that surpasses any dunya gratification,
The Messenger (ﷺ) said: "Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allah Almighty but that Allah will replace it with something better for you."
May Allah azza wa jal allow us and our loved ones to be of those who are modest and have beautiful Iman Allahuma ameen.
By Sarah Zafar
https://t.me/RamadanReadings
