The Visit of Gabriel and the Foundation of Faith
The story of Gabriel (peace be upon him) visiting our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) opens an important window for understanding the foundation of Islamic belief. This visit is more than just carrying a message; it’s an experiential demonstration of what faith means. The Prophet’s statement that he had known Gabriel before, but saw him differently this time, can be interpreted as a sign of changes and ascensions in the spiritual dimensions. According to this event, Gabriel (peace be upon him) separated Islam from faith with two fingers, and our Prophet responded with two answers as well; this emphasizes that faith is intertwined with belief and actions.
The Scope of Faith: Not Just Words, but the State of the Heart
Faith is not simply a confession or an affirmation made with the tongue; it’s a system of belief that must be crowned with conviction and certainty deep within the heart. The maturation of faith is not limited to merely fulfilling commands and avoiding prohibitions. It also encompasses many qualities such as submitting to fate, not doubting the circumstances of Allah’s creation, trusting in the decree of provision, and being grateful for blessings. A dry ritual or fasting alone does not fulfill the requirement of faith; because faith is shaped by the purity of the heart, moral maturity, and complete submission to Allah.
The Essentials of Faith and Misinterpretations
The essence of faith in Islamic belief is sincerely uttering the testimony ‘Lā ʾilāha ʾillallāh’ with the tongue and believing it from the heart. However, one must avoid all kinds of thoughts and behaviors that weaken or negate faith. Different opinions arising in discussions about the nature of faith require careful examination. Those who say ‘faith is a creation’ have their beliefs deemed invalid, while those who say ‘it is not a creation’ are considered to be people of innovation (bidat). This demonstrates how delicate and profound a topic faith is; because any claim that shakes the foundations of Islamic belief can lead to great deviation.