Foundation of Iman إيمان
The fundamental principles of faith and belief in Islam, exploring the relationship between iman and amal (faith and deeds).
Understanding Iman
Definition of Iman
Arabic: إيمان (Iman)
Meaning: Iman is yakin tanpa ragu - certainty without doubt.
Significance: True faith requires absolute certainty and conviction, not mere assumption or tradition.
The Unity of Islam
In our Islamic creed (العقائد الإسلامية), Islam is the unity between iman and amal (faith and deeds). This unity is fundamental to understanding the complete nature of Islamic faith.
• Iman (إيمان) - Faith and belief with certainty
• Amal (عمل) - Deeds and actions
• Unity - The inseparable connection between faith and practice
The Relationship Between Iman and Amal
Amal Without Iman
Everyone can perform amal (deeds/actions) - this refers to work and activities. However, these actions only become valuable when guided by iman (faith).
This is why many verses in the Quran consistently pair iman with amal, demonstrating their inseparable relationship.
Surah An-Nur (24:30-31)
Arabic: قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ
Translation: "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts."
Reference: Quran 24:30 - The practice of lowering the gaze begins with iman (faith).
Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11)
Arabic: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ
Translation: "O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule another people."
Reference: Quran 49:11 - The function of the tongue (lisan) - not insulting or ridiculing others also begins with iman (faith).
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185)
Arabic: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ
Translation: "O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed upon you."
Reference: Quran 2:185 - Fasting (puasa) begins with iman - fasting is the amal (deed).
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:3)
Arabic: الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ
Translation: "Who believe in the unseen and establish prayer."
Reference: Quran 2:3 - Prayer also begins with iman - prayer is the amal (deed).
Understanding Different Types of "Good"
Before discussing righteous deeds, it's important to understand the different Arabic words for "good" and how they relate to our actions:
1. Tayyib (طيِّب)
Arabic: وَكُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا
Translation: "And eat of what is lawful and good from the earth."
Reference: Quran 2:168
Meaning: Good in terms of physical benefit - when seeking sustenance or eating, we look for what is beneficial for the body.
2. Khair (خير)
Arabic: كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ
Translation: "You are the best nation produced for mankind."
Reference: Quran 3:110
Meaning: Good in terms of characteristics and moral qualities.
Examples: Honesty, keeping promises, integrity - these are good character traits.
3. Ma'ruf (معروف)
Arabic: وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ
Translation: "And let there be from you a nation inviting to good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong."
Reference: Quran 3:104
Meaning: Good in terms of actions and deeds.
Important: Some people perform ma'ruf for Allah's sake, while others do it without any spiritual intention.
4. Ihsan (إحسان)
Arabic: مَا الْإِحْسَانُ؟ قَالَ: أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاكَ
Translation: "What is ihsan? He said: 'To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, then know that He sees you.'"
Reference: Hadith Al-Arbain, Second Hadith
Nature: Ihsan has the quality of hasanah (حسنة) - doing good for Allah's sake, feeling that Allah is watching you.
The Beautiful Combination
When we combine all four types of good - tayyib (physical good), khair (moral good), ma'ruf (action good), and hasanah (spiritual good) - they become soleh (صالح).
This is why the Quran beautifully and accurately pairs iman (faith) with amal soleh (righteous deeds) - because soleh encompasses all dimensions of goodness guided by faith.
Amal Saleh (Righteous Deeds)
When amal (deeds) are guided by iman (faith), they become amal saleh (عمل صالح) - righteous deeds.
These righteous deeds are what will bring us rewards in the Hereafter.
Surah Al-An'am (6:160)
Arabic: مَن جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا
Translation: "Whoever comes with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof."
Reference: Quran 6:160 - Each hasanah (good deed) brings ten rewards (ajrun - أجر).
The Reward System
These rewards (ajrun) are what we will bring to the Hereafter. Therefore, we constantly pray that our hasanah (good deeds) are present in this world and will be manifested in the Hereafter.
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201)
Arabic: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Translation: "Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."
Reference: Quran 2:201 - The prayer for hasanah in both worlds.
The Justice of Allah
The Question of Good People Without Faith
What about good people who do not have faith? Where is Allah's justice in this situation?
Indeed, this is where Allah's justice lies - it is perfectly just. Because they do good for this world, they are rewarded in this world.
Surah Al-Furqan (25:23)
Arabic: وَقَدِمْنَا إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُوا مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَاءً مَّنثُورًا
Translation: "And We will regard what they have done of deeds and make them as scattered dust."
Reference: Quran 25:23 - Their deeds are not called "saleh" (righteous), only "amal" (work/actions).
The Distinction Between Amal and Amal Saleh
• Amal (عمل) - Any work or action, regardless of intention
• Amal Saleh (عمل صالح) - Righteous deeds guided by faith
• Worldly Rewards - Good deeds without faith receive worldly benefits only
• Eternal Rewards - Only amal saleh guided by iman receive eternal rewards
The Complete Picture of Justice
Allah's Perfect Justice
Allah's justice is perfect and comprehensive. It operates on multiple levels:
Worldly Justice
Good deeds without faith receive appropriate worldly rewards - this is justice for their efforts in this life.
Eternal Justice
Only deeds guided by true faith receive eternal rewards - this is justice for their spiritual commitment.
Complete Justice
No good deed goes unrewarded, and no evil deed goes unpunished - Allah's justice is comprehensive and perfect.
The Foundation of Islamic Life
The Unity of Faith and Deeds
This understanding of the relationship between iman and amal forms the foundation of Islamic life. It explains why Islam emphasizes both belief and practice as inseparable components of faith.
Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3)
Arabic: وَالْعَصْرِ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ
Translation: "By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds."
Significance: By the time that Allah has given to humans for their activities - do not let these activities become futile without proper intention, without faith, and without doing it for Allah's sake.
Reference: Quran 103:1-3 - The complete formula for success: iman (faith) + amal saleh (righteous deeds).
Practical Implications
• Faith without deeds is incomplete - like a tree without fruits
• Deeds without faith lack eternal value - like beautiful flowers that wither
• Faith with deeds creates lasting impact - like a tree that bears fruit season after season
• The balance between internal conviction and external practice is the key to spiritual success
Key Takeaways
- • Iman is certainty without doubt - the foundation of Islamic faith
- • Islam is the unity between iman (faith) and amal (deeds)
- • Deeds become valuable only when guided by faith
- • The Quran consistently pairs iman with amal, showing their inseparable relationship
- • When deeds are guided by faith, they become amal saleh (righteous deeds)
- • Righteous deeds bring hasanah (good deeds) which earn ajrun (rewards)
- • We pray for hasanah in both this world and the Hereafter
- • Allah's justice is perfect - good deeds without faith receive worldly rewards
- • Only deeds guided by true faith receive eternal rewards
- • The distinction between amal (work) and amal saleh (righteous deeds) is crucial
- • Success requires both faith and righteous deeds working together
- • This understanding forms the foundation of Islamic life and spiritual development
References
Primary Reference
Al-Aqaid Al-Islamiyah by Sayyid Sabiq
Source: https://terjemahkitab.com/al-aqaid-al-islamiyah-sayyid-sabiq/