How do I keep my īmān strong?
The Prophet ﷺ said īmān wears out in the heart like a garment wears out on the body — so ask Allah to renew it. The classical scholars prescribed specific daily practices to keep faith alive.
6 passages from 4 books in the library
The scholars taught that strong faith is the root that every other religious state, word, and deed grows from. As al-Ghazali notes, a person of strong faith does not lack love for what Allah loves, and his reliance on Allah is built upon that same firm faith. The passages also observe that the strength of one's faith shapes how one bears trials and holds back wealth in trust, and that one should be discerning about close company. Faith, in this telling, is sustained by aligning the heart's loves, trust, and companions with Allah.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 4 books by Imam al-Ghazali — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"does not lack love for what Allah loves. This stems from strong faith in Allah's dislike of"
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"This too arises from strong faith, as the sincere desire for a heart free to engage"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"This reliance is built on strong faith, as are all religious states, sayings, and acts."
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"strong faith, their trial is more severe. If their faith is weak, their trial is"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"If one has property but lacks strong faith in relying on God, holding back an amount"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"out those who are not of strong faith and mingling with them, given the example set"
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