The Meaning of Eman
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Identifier: http://www.quraan.com/index.aspx?&tabid=34&artid=111
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Subject: iman
Title: The Meaning of Eman
Created on: Thu Nov 08 09:37:41 -0500 2007
Updated on: Thu Nov 08 09:37:41 -0500 2007
Version: 1
Abstract: ... f Israel have believed, and I am one of the Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will).”[10:90]. This means “I accept and affirm...” I believe, or accept, is followed by a preposition that completes the meaning by explaining what the belief was in. When one says “I believe in Allah,” this means that he believes in His Names and Attributes and that he submits to His will. Likewise, when one says, “I believe in the Messenger, who calls unto Allah,” this means “I believe in the revelation sent from Allah to His Messenger.” An obvious example to the above is, But you will never believe us, that is “you will never accept what we say.” Another example is, But none believed in Moses except the offspring of his people.[10:83]. This Ayah means that a few young Israelites believed in what Moses told them; that they will escape from Egypt, become victorious, and that Pharaoh will die. The above Ayat attest to the first use of the word “Eman.” This form of speech means that Eman entails believing in what Allah and His Messenger have said. The Prophet explained the cornerstones of Eman when he said in an authentic Hadith that Eman is, “To believe in Allah, His Angles, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day. And also to believe in the good or bad that Al-Qadar (Predestination) brings from Allah.” [Muslim]. The second common use for the word “Eman” in Islamic terminology is adherence and implementation. Implementation means to perform the group of actions such that whoever performs them is called Mu’min (believer). Also, it means to prohibit the group of actions such that whoever abandons them is called a Mu’min. This meaning is evident when one examines the answer the Quran provided for a question that was raised by some Muslims, and that was, “What about our brethren who died and never prayed in the direction of the Kaa’bah (in Makkah)?” This question was raised after the Qiblah (direction of the prayer) was changed towards the Kaa’bah from Jerusalem. Allah said, what translated means, And We made the Qiblah which you used to face, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heels (disobey him). Indeed it was great (heavy) except for those whom Allah guided. And Allah would never make your Eman to be lost. Truly Allah is full of Kindness, the most Merciful towards mankind.[2:143]. The scholars stated that, “your Eman” above means, “your prayer.” This means that Allah would never invalidate your pervious prayers made towards Jerusalem. He was the One who had commanded you to pray towards Jerusalem in the first place. Also, the Prophet Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasallam said, what translated means, “Eman is sixty and some parts, the highest of which is La Ilah Illa Allah (there is none worthy of worship except Allah), and the lowest of which is removing harm from the road.” [Abu Dawood, An-Nasaii & Ibn Majah]. The Messenger has included here all actions of Islam in the meaning of Eman, from Shahadah (proclamation of faith) to the least of actions, that is, to remove harm from people’... [Full Article...]
