How is it to keep check on your level of faith on and off by asking yourself questions like “do you believe in Allah, Prophets, Books, Angels, Akhirah?” Is it good practice?
Bismillahi Ta’ala
Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullah
It is indeed commendable to monitor one’s Iman (faith) and continuously renew it with vigor and enthusiasm. However, I do not believe that questioning these beliefs is the best approach.
Instead, as Rasulullah ﷺ has taught us, we should affirm our Iman by reciting the Shahadah or by engaging in acts of worship with sincerity and conviction.
There is certainly no need to question our Iman itself. We recite our Shahadah and maintain our faith. The self-reflection should focus on whether we fulfil the requirements of our faith and proclamation. This is something we can ponder and question, allowing us to engage in self-assessment and find ways to rectify any shortcomings.
Affirmation in the heart is easier, but demonstrating it through our actions is the main challenge.
Thus, Allah tells those who believe, “O you who believe, (remain firm and) believe!” We do not doubt whether we have Iman; rather, we affirm that indeed we have Iman. We proclaim that every forthcoming breath will affirm this belief in our hearts, on our tongues, and through our actions.
When we declare our belief in the tenets of faith, that belief is indeed established. However, we must consider whether our belief in these tenets brings forth our conviction to follow all their dictates. From this perspective, a continuous proclamation of Iman al Mufassal does not, by itself, enhance the Iman we have established. Instead, it encourages us to reflect on our efforts to align our actions with our proclamation.
If we claim belief in the Prophets alayhimusalam, does our conduct and character reflect that? If we assert belief in the scriptures, is our obedience to the law evident in our actions? These are the questions we should contemplate.
Wallahu A’lam
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faisal al-Mahmudi