Iman (concept) - Delineation in The Quran and Hadith

Delineation in The Quran and Hadith

In the Quran, Iman is one of the 10 qualities which cause one to be the recipient of God's mercy and reward. The Quran states that faith can grow with remembrance of God.}. The Qur’an also states that nothing in this world should be dearer to a true believer than faith.

Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said that he gained sweetness of faith who was pleased to accept God as Lord, Islam as religion and Muhammad as prophet He also said that no one can be a true believer unless he loves the Prophet more than his children, parents and relatives. At another instance, he has remarked that it is this love with God and the Prophet after which a person can be aware of the real taste of faith

Amin Ahsan Islahi, a notable exegete of the Qur'an has clarified the nature of this love:

… it does not merely imply the passionate love one naturally has for one’s wife, children and other relatives, but it also refers to the love on the basis of intellect and principles for some viewpoint and stance. It is because of this love that a person, in every sphere of life, gives priority to this viewpoint and principle.. So much so, if the demands of his wife, children and relatives clash with the demands of this viewpoint, he adheres to it and without any hesitation turns down the desires of his wife and children and the demands of his family and clan

Islahi and Maududi both have inferred that the Quranic comparison of a good word and a bad word in Chapter 14 is actually a comparison of faith and disbelief. Thus, the Qur’an is effectively comparing faith to a tree whose roots are deep in the soil and branches spread in the vastness of the sky.

Iman is also the subject of a supplication uttered by the Prophet to God:

O God! I have resigned myself to You and I have consigned my matter to you and have taken support from You fearing Your grandeur and moving towards You in anticipation. There is no refuge and shelter after running away from You, and if there is, it is with You. Lord! I have professed faith in your Book which You have revealed and have professed faith in the Prophet you have sent as a Messenger.