Īmān
Definition
Iman is the Arabic term for faith, and it encompasses three dimensions that must work together: affirmation in the heart (tasdiq), declaration with the tongue (iqrar), and action with the limbs (ʿamal). Al-Ghazali argues against any theology that separates these three — faith that remains a cognitive assertion without producing any change in behaviour and character is deficient. Authentic iman is a living force that grows through worship and righteous action, and diminishes through sin and heedlessness. Al-Ghazali's definition makes iman a dynamic reality rather than a static credential — something the believer must actively maintain and deepen throughout their life.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Īmān.
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"And security and despair both remove one from the religion of Islam, and the path of truth for the people of the qibla lies between the two. And the servant does not leave iman except by denying that which brought him into it. And iman is affirmation with the tongue and belief with the heart. And everything that has been authentically established from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, of the sacred law and its exposition, is all true."
— Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭaḥāwī, Al-ʿAqīda al-Ṭaḥāwiyya
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"his left ear, the mother of the boy will be driven away from him, was reported by Abu Yala al-Mawsili, Ibn As-Sunni in al-Yaum wa al-Laila and al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Iman from the Hadith of al-Husayn ibn Ali with a weak chain. It is recommended to say la ilaha illallah as the first speech of the child and circumcision should be on the seventh day as a report has been related. The third mannerliness is to choose a good name for the child as this is the child's right. The Prophet peace be upon him said when you name then use the prefix Abd. He also said the most beloved names to Allah are Abdullah and Abdullah."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 12: Book of Marriage
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"The hadith: "The strongest among you is the one who controls himself when angry, and the most forbearing is the one who forgives when able. This is narrated by Ibn Abi al-Dunya from Ali with a weak chain and by Al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Iman with the first part of the narration transmitted by Abdul Rahman bin Ajlan through a good mursal [interrupted] chain. Al-Bazzar and Al-Tabarani in Makarem al-Akhlaq quoted the hadith as: "The strongest among you is the one who controls himself when angry," including Imran al-Qattan, who is controversial in terms of his reliability."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 25: Condemnation of Rancor and Envy
Appears in
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