What Is Iman, Really?

What Is Iman, Really?

Iman is not belief. Iman is not faith. Iman is not just something inside. Everything that people have told you — that's not what it is.

Iman is not your emotions or feelings. When somebody says, "I felt a very high Iman," usually they're describing their vibes — and the next day they feel demotivated. "My Iman is very low." Iman is not your vibes.

The "My Belief Is in My Heart" Argument

Then you also get this — and this is my favorite one. You see somebody doesn't pray Salah. You say, "Brother, you're a believer, you know, you should…" "My belief is in my heart." "Sister, you know, you should wear the hijab, it's so important, it's part of…" Somebody might say, "Someone might not wear the hijab and their Iman might be higher than you."

I've heard this so many times. Today's your day, guys. You thought you could get away — don't worry, I'm here. Alhamdulillah. You're not going anywhere.

"Don't judge. Maybe his Iman is very high." He's playing hip-hop and he's smoking weed outside the masjid — this is Iman very high, yeah? This is amazing.

So Then, What Is Iman?

If it's not anything I explained to you, then what is it? Let me explain to you what Imam Al-Bukhari said, then let me give it to you in plain English.

Imam Al-Bukhari's definition of Iman: "Iman is statements and actions, and it increases and it decreases." (See: Sahih al-Bukhari, Introduction to the Book of Iman)

Iman is statements and actions. And it goes up and it goes down. Remember this definition.

Iman Is a Muscle

Iman is a muscle. The gym people are getting very excited — just relax. Iman is a muscle. What does that mean? That means when you work it out, when you exercise it, it increases in strength. And when you don't exercise it, it weakens and it shrinks.

The way your bicep size is dependent on your bicep curls, your muscle of Iman is dependent on the workout that you do — the actions that you do.

Physical Actions

What kind of actions are we talking about? Physical actions like Salah, like the remembrance of Allah — absolutely. But not just physical actions.

Spiritual Muscles

Iman is also dependent on spiritual actions. What is a spiritual muscle?

• Tawakkul — trust in Allah — is a muscle.
• Al-Khawf — fear of Allah — is a muscle.
• The love of Allah — is a muscle.

These are muscles. If you activate them, if you work on them, you will find that your Iman increases.

The Practical Component

Iman is a muscle, which means there is a practical component. Let's look at it this way — if somebody is extremely weak, has zero muscles, their legs look like toothpicks, and they say, "I don't ever exercise, but maybe my strength is more than yours. My muscles are larger than yours." Absolutely not. That is hogwash.

And similarly, somebody says, "I don't pray Salah, don't wear hijab, I don't do these things — but maybe my Iman is high. Why? My Iman is in the heart."

Someone says, "My Iman is in the heart"? Then you should invite them to your house, get a plate, put it in front of them, and say — "Where's the food?" "The food's in my heart as well." "How is the taste?" "Maybe the food is even tastier, but you just don't see it." Oh — we've got you now. Cornered.

Iman is a physical muscle you have to work out to see the fruits of it, to see it grow. And a spiritual muscle you have to manually activate to see it grow.