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Chapter - II
THE BASIC CONCEPTS OF ISLAM
The Concept of Faith (Iman)
Some people may think that man becomes a Muslim when he confesses belief in the
Oneness of the True God and in Muhammad as His Last Messenger. But this is far
from the full meaning of Faith. The full meaning of Faith in Islam is not, by any
means, something nominal or mere formality. Faith in Islam is a state of happiness
acquired by virtue of positive action and constructive conceptions as well as dynamic
and effective measures.
The Holy Qur’ an and the Traditions of Muhammad define these required measures
and establish the standards which build up a meaningful Faith. Thus, the true
believers are:
1. Those who believe in God, His angels, His Books as completed by the Qur’ an,
His messengers with Muhammad being the Last of them all, the Day of Final
Judgement, the absolute knowledge and wisdom of God.
2. Those who trust God always and enjoy unshakable confidence in Him.
3. Those who spend in the way of God of what He has given them in the form of
wealth, life, health, knowledge, experience, and so on
4. Those who observe their daily prayers regularly as well as the weekly and annual
congregations
5. Those who pay their religious taxes (alms or Zakah) to the rightful beneficiaries
(individuals or institutions), the minimum of which is two and half percent of the
annual “ net” income, or of the total value of stocks if in business – after discounting
all expenses and credits
6. Those who enjoin the right and good, and combat the wrong and evil by all lawful
means at their disposal
7. Those who obey God and His Messenger Muhammad; and feel increasing strength
of faith when the Qur’ an is recited, and humility of heart when God’ s name is
mentioned
8. Those who love God and His Messenger most, and love their fellow men sincerely
for the sake of God alone
9. Those who love their near and distant neighbors and show genuine kindness to
their guests, especially the strangers
10. Those who say the truth and engage in good talk, or else abstain.
It is clear that the very meaning of Faith makes Islam penetrate deeply and
constructively into every aspect of life. According to Islam, true Faith has decisive
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