The nature of True Iman
Īmān is the heartbeat of Islam. It is the light that shapes how a believer thinks, feels, and lives. It is not just something we say, but something that settles in the heart and shows itself through action. The scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamā‘ah describe īmān as belief in the heart, words on the tongue, and actions of the limbs. When these three align, faith becomes lived, not just claimed.
The Prophet ﷺ raised his Companions upon this understanding. He taught that true īmān is seen in character before it is seen in appearance. The hadiths discussed here show how faith transforms a person’s manners, modesty, generosity, steadfastness, and even the way they view the world.
Together, these five hadiths remind us that īmān is not limited to prayer and ritual alone. It is reflected in moral excellence, compassion toward others, patience through trials, and loving for the sake of Allah. When faith is lived sincerely, it turns the believer into a source of safety, mercy, and light in a world that desperately needs all three.
The Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ said: “The Muslim is he from whose tongue and hands theMuslims are safe, and the Muhājir is he
who migrates from what Allah has prohibited.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
Islam is a complete way of life that refines a person’s character, purifies their heart, and brings peace to those around them. the Prophet ﷺ teaches that real faith is shown not by how much we pray or fast, but by how we treat others. When our words and actions bring safety and comfort instead of pain, we are living Islam as it was meant to be lived.
The Prophet ﷺ mentions the tongue and the hand because they are the two tools that most often cause harm. The tongue can destroy relationships and honour through gossip, lies, and harsh words, while the hand can cause physical harm or injustice. A true believer, therefore, guards both carefully, aware that every word and action is recorded and will be brought to account.
When a person’s faith truly settles in their heart, it shows in the gentleness of their speech, the restraint of their hands, and the mercy of their dealings. This hadith reminds us that self-control and kindness are not signs of weakness but of strength and maturity in iman. The one who can master his tongue, restrain his anger, and protect others from harm is the one who has truly tasted the sweetness of faith. Such a person brings peace wherever they go because their heart is at peace with Allah.
The Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ said: “Faith has over seventy branches, and modesty is a branch
of faith.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
Haya’(modesty) is more than shyness or timidity. Shyness can stem from fear of people’s opinions or a lack of confidence, but true haya’ arises from awareness of Allah. It is a consciousness that makes a believer feel shy to disobey the One who sees them at all times. It covers the heart with humility and restrains it from arrogance and sin.
The Prophet ﷺ described what true modesty looks like in practice when he said:
“Be truly modest before Allah, as is His right.”
The Companions replied, “Alḥamdulillāh, we are modest, O Messenger of Allah.”
He ﷺ said, “That is not what I mean. True modesty before Allah is to protect the head and what it contains, the stomach and what it holds, and to remember death and the trials that follow.” (Tirmidhī)
Haya’ begins within the head which guards one’s thoughts, eyes, and tongue. It continues to the stomach by avoiding what is unlawful and refraining from overconsumption and desire. It is then strengthened by remembering death and the Hereafter, which humbles the heart and keeps one alert to accountability.
When these elements are combined, the believer’s entire being
becomes modest before Allah. Modesty is described as a “branch of faith” because it mirrors the condition of the heart. When faith flourishes, modesty naturally blossoms; when faith weakens, modesty fades. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Modesty brings nothing but good,” reminding us that it is a source of blessing and honour. It could be compared to a seed that grows into a beautiful, fruit-bearing tree.
In a world where modesty is often misunderstood or undervalued, this hadith reminds us that Haya’ is one of the greatest signs of a living heart.
Haya’ is not a barrier to confidence or strength; it is the believer’s inner light that beautifies every deed, guards the soul from corruption, and reflects the purity of true iman. The more a person cultivates modesty, the stronger their iman becomes, and the closer they draw to Allah, who loves those whose hearts are humble before Him.
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: “A man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, ‘Which Islam is best?’ He replied, ‘To feed food and to spread salam to those you know and those you do not.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
When asked about the best form of Islam, the Prophet ﷺ did not mention long prayers or deep knowledge, but two simple deeds that reflect a sincere heart: feeding others and spreading salam. These actions may seem small, yet they represent the very essence of Islamic character; mercy, humility, and compassion.
The instruction “to feed food” goes beyond merely offering a meal. Feeding others softens the heart, removes selfishness, and strengthens the bond between members of the community. In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ described feeding people as a means to enter Paradise, showing that service towards others is a form of worship. When a believer feeds another person whether rich or poor, known or unknown, they express gratitude to Allah by sharing what He has provided. The second instruction, “to spread salam,” is equally profound. The greeting of peace is not a mere formality but a prayer of safety and goodwill. It reminds us that every Muslim we meet deserves our respect, security, and sister/brotherhood. By saying salam to both those we know and those we do not, we dissolve barriers of status and nationalism.
This act cultivates unity and love, creating a community that mirrors the harmony taught in our deen. Together, these two actions of feeding others and spreading peace summarise the heart of faith in action. They show that Islam is not only about personal devotion but about being a source of comfort and mercy to others. The Prophet ﷺ once said, “You will not truly believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.” This hadith complements that teaching, reminding us that the best Muslims are those who bring ease to others, both physically and emotionally. In essence, this hadith redefines greatness in Islam. The best Islam is not found in titles or status but the simple, sincere acts done for the sake of Allah. Feeding others nurtures bodies; spreading peace nurtures hearts. Together, they build an ummah founded on compassion, justice, and love; the very values through which the light of iman shines.
The Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ said: “Say: I believe in Allah, then remain steadfast.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
In this short but deeply profound hadith, the Prophet ﷺ was asked to give a statement so complete that the man would not need to ask anyone else after him. The Prophet ﷺ replied with just two phrases simple in wording, yet vast in meaning: “Say: I believe in Allah, then remain steadfast.” This concise command summarises the entire path of faith: to believe sincerely and to live that belief consistently.
Steadfastness (istiqāmah) means remaining firm upon obedience to Allah, regardless of circumstance or trial. It is not the temporary zeal of faith but the quiet, unwavering strength that continues even when enthusiasm fades or tests arise. True steadfastness is seen when a believer’s actions in private match their claims in public, and when their devotion does not waver with ease or hardship.
Belief in Allah is the foundation, but steadfastness is what preserves and completes it. Without perseverance, even strong faith can weaken over time. Allah reminds us in the Qur’an: “Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remained steadfast—the angels will descend upon them, [saying], ‘Do not fear and do not grieve, but receive good tidings of Paradise.’’’
(Surah Fuṣṣilat 41:30)
This verse mirrors the spirit of the hadith, that faith begins with the tongue, settles in the heart, and is proven by constancy in action.
Steadfastness is not perfection; it is persistence.
It is the effort to return to Allah after every win or fall, to keep walking the path even when the soul feels weary. It is the courage to hold onto truth when it is unpopular, and to remain patient when the heart is tested. Every act of obedience, every moment of repentance, and every breath of remembrance strengthens that steadiness.
The believer’s journey is not defined by sudden bursts of worship, but by daily sincerity, balance, and consistency. The one who is steadfast does not rely on emotions alone but anchors their heart in the certainty of Allah’s promise. When faith becomes steady, life itself gains direction and peace. To “believe in Allah, then remain steadfast” is to live each day with quiet conviction, trusting, obeying, and never losing sight of the One who guides the heart.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever loves for Allah, hates for Allah, gives for Allah, and withholds
for Allah, has perfected his faith.”
(Narrated by Abū Umāmah, graded ḥasan)
This is the essence of a heart fully surrendered to Allah, a heart whose emotions, actions, and decisions all revolve around His pleasure. True faith is not only in what we believe but in what we love, value, and devote ourselves to. When a believer’s inner
compass turns entirely toward Allah, every feeling becomes worship, and every choice becomes an act of devotion.
To love for Allah means to love what He loves: righteousness, sincerity, and the people who strive for His sake. It is to find beauty in goodness and warmth in obedience. Such love is pure, unselfish, and enduring because it is not built on worldly gain or fleeting emotion but on the shared goal of seeking Allah’s mercy.
To hate for Allah does not mean hatred in a worldly or vengeful sense. It means to hate that which Allah hates, falsehood, injustice, and sin. First within ourselves, and then within society, because these things distance the soul from its Creator. It is an inner stance of moral clarity, where a believer’s heart no longer sympathises with what displeases Allah, no matter how normal or attractive it appears.
To give for Allah means generosity that expects no return. It is the smile offered to lift a heart, the charity given in secret, the forgiveness extended even when one feels wronged, all done for no reason except to please the One who sees all.
To withhold for Allah is to restrain when giving would feed sin, to draw healthy boundaries that preserve one’s deen, and to walk away from anything that weakens the soul.
Through these four qualities, love, hate, generosity, and restraint; The believer reaches the highest level of iman, where every emotion is purified and directed by faith. This is the state of al-walā’ wal-barā’—loyalty and disassociation purely for the sake of Allah. It transforms how one views the world: once, love may have been based on personal desire or worldly attachment, but now it is measured by what has been revealed.
The things once admired in the days of jāhiliyyah (ignorance) lose their charm, while acts of obedience and the company of the righteous become precious. This transformation marks the soul’s migration from darkness to light. When love is for Allah, it heals the heart from disappointment; when hate is for the sake of Allah, it protects the heart from corruption. In both cases, the believer finds peace because everything is returned to its rightful place under the guidance of revelation.
For the one who reflects, these teachings offer both a mirror and a map, the mirror reveals the state of our faith, and the map guides us to its perfection. True iman is not found in moments of emotion but in how we speak, how we treat others, how we persevere, and how we love.
When faith reaches this level of purity, the believer becomes a reflection of Prophetic character, gentle yet firm, humble yet confident, strong in belief yet soft in heart. In the end, every step toward embodying these teachings is a step closer to Allah, for He loves the believer whose faith is not only spoken on the tongue but written across their actions, their manners, and their heart.
