The PPK Muslims (Proud, Practicing, Knowledgable) : 05/31/20

Islam v/s Eemaan; Muslim v/s Momin

Synonyms? Contradictory? Complimentary?

None of these?

ABSTRACT

“The desert Arabs say, “We believe.” Say, “Ye have no faith; but ye (only)say, ?We have submitted our wills to God,? For not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey God and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
This ayah enjoins us to ponder on the distinction and disparity between Islam and Eemaan or between Muslim and Momin. It starts with the claim of the Bedouin that they have attained Faith, Eemaan. This is refuted by God Almighty. Instead they are told that they can only claim Islam and that Faith has not entered their heart.
The two terms, technically, imply different meaning and message. But they are not contradictory. As a matter of fact, they are complimentary; one leads to the other. One is not enough by itself for salvation. Both are needed for atonement.
Nasr, Seyyed Hossein et al have a very pertinent comment on this ayah in their tafseer “A New Translation and Commentary—The Study Quran”. They state “This verse indicates that belief is of a higher rank than submission, that faith has degrees, and that tribal affiliations are superseded by those of faith….. In this sense, this verse admonishes all forms of religious pretension”. I would like to particularly stress the remarks “that tribal affiliations are superseded by those of faith”. Regretfully the majority of present Muslim “Ummah” comprising one fourth of humanity blindly and aggressively adheres to these instincts of herd associations to a complete exclusion of the basic principles of our Faith……(Please See the Main Story)……
Commenting on the index ayah, the eminent scholar Dr. Mohammed Asad endorses this view forcefully and beautifully: “Inasmuch as this is evidently an allusion to the intense tribalism of the bedouin and their "pride of descent" (Razi), the above verse connects with the preceding condemnation of all tribal preferences and prejudices, and with the call for their abandonment as a prerequisite of true faith”
To sum up, as a PPK Muslim, I visualize different steps and grades rather than definitions in comprehending the meaning of the two terms: Islam and Eemaan:
First, the apparent association with the Faith of Islam. A new born in a Muslim family is announced the kalimaa and the azaan in the ears; on growing sh/e sees Islamic practices around; later follows in the masjid holding the hands of mother/father. A convert goes through this process formally and deliberately with a verbal expression of the Kalma. By this metric—nominal association with Islam—the Ummah adds unto solid 1.6 billion souls, one fourth of humanity. They may be qualified as Muslims for census purposes.
Second, the individual develops interest in his Faith, learns about it and practices all its do’s and avoids all it don’ts. Loves his tribe of fellow brethren. He concentrates on “obedience and submission”. Now he is a Muslim in the true sense. According to this criteria the counting of Muslims drops down considerably.
Third, the individual dives deeper into his faith. Tries to and gets the real meaning, message and goals of his Faith. His conviction about the Hereafter, guides and steers him on the earth. His driving force in life is not the prejudice, rivalry or animosity of other religions but the true dictates and principles of Islam. He emphasises on “belief” in addition to “obedience” Now he has graduated to be labelled as a Momin. The tally of this type is presumably very low.
In Shariah, can a person be a “Muslim" but not a "Momin" or be a "Momin"but not a “Muslim". In my humble opinion, a large section of Muslims may not and do not qualify to be Momins. However a Momin has to be good Muslim by definition.

Read ONLY, IF AND WHEN you have time and mood for:

“An Ayah of the Quran for 30 Days” -- May 2020

Choose the section you have time in the next 30 days to read this ayah:-

Prelude: Recurrent Primary Message 1st. Page
Starting Dua, a note & The Ayah 2nd. Page
A Short Version: For the Busy Bee One Plus Pages
The Main Story: Recommended Two Plus Pages
Footnotes: For the Perfectionist One Page

PRELUDE

From the Pen and Perspective of a self-styled PPK Muslim (Proud, Practicing, Knowledgeable) with a humble submission that Islam totally rejects Blind Following BUT vigorously focusses on the Limitations of Pure Human Reasoning..............and clearly and comprehensively AlLAH knows best.

In the beginning of the seventh century C.E., the folks of Mecca and Medina had a fascinatingly unique window: they had direct access to the Heavens through one of their own; as if Allah Ta'aala Subhaanahoo was with them on the grounds. They were blessed with a regular stream of Divine counseling and guidelines. Question and answer sessions were part of the program. Even individual questioner was graced by an answer. In the short Introduction to this scheme they were assured that at the end of this twenty-two year project, Divine Directions and Admonitions will continue through the agency of the PEN. The whole discourse has been preserved and archived till eternity under the guarantee of our Lord and Creator. This record in known as the Quran.

It should sound unbelievable but factually appears to be true: Many of our prevalent, widespread and important concepts and opinions about religious matters do not have a basis in the Quran and sometimes even appear to be in obvious conflict with the teachings of the Quran. It would be very educative and helpful to discuss an Ayah of the Quran once a month to see if it supports or rejects our views and actions in our daily life. I wish and hope this generates some soul searching and fruitful interactive discussion.

DUAA’

بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ

In the name of Allah, we praise HIM, seek HIS help and ask for HIS forgiveness. Whosoever Allah guideth none can misguide; whosoever HE allows to fall astray, none can guide him right. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah alone and we bear witness that Mohammed, SAW is HIS slave-servant and the Seal of HIS Messengers.
Further, we recall that Allah Ta’aala has declared in HIS Book1

“He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message (or remember or receive admonition) but men of understanding (or intellect)”

and we also recollect that he has warned us about the day of judgement2

“Then on that day you shall most certainly be questioned about the boons (joy, pleasure).”

As there cannot be a greater boon or blessing or benefit than wisdom, we wonder if this should be a timely reminder to very many of us sincere and practicing Muslims who use our critical thinking to enhance the mundane for ourselves and our families but in matters religion we choose to resort to blind following -- taqleed, doctrine of classical Sunni Islamic Fiqh.

(NOTE: I have filtered out the proofs and details into the Footnotes for those who have the time and interest for them. The main text will then be of reasonable length, hopefully for the busy majority. What follows is not a sermon; I do not feel qualified to give one, anyhow. I wish, it may provide a food for thought. A caveat seems in order: If the ayah selected pertains to issues we face in our daily life with our family, friends, neighbours or peers it may affect us personally and lead to some self analysis and soul searching which in turn could be divisive and distressing. If taken in the right spirit, it can be a humble attempt towards finding the “straight path”.)

THE AYAH

Surah Al-Hujurat No.49 Ayah 14
قالَتِ الأَعرابُ آمَنّا ۖ قُل لَم تُؤمِنوا وَلٰكِن قولوا أَسلَمنا وَلَمّا يَدخُلِ الإيمانُ في قُلوبِكُم ۖ وَإِن تُطيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسولَهُ لا يَلِتكُم مِن أَعمالِكُم شَيئًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفورٌ رَحيمٌ
“The desert Arabs say, “We believe.” Say, “Ye have no faith; but ye (only)say, ?We have submitted our wills to God,? For not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey God and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

A SHORT VERSION

THE MAIN STORY

“I am convinced about the veracity of my opinions, but I do consider it likely that they may turn out to be incorrect. Likewise, I am convinced about the incorrectness of the views different from mine, but I do concede the possibility that they may turn out to be correct.” — Imam Shafa’i

This ayah enjoins us to ponder on the distinction and disparity between Islam and Eemaan or between Muslim and Momin. It starts with the claim of the Bedouin that they have attained Faith, Eemaan. This is refuted by God Almighty. Instead they are told that they can only claim Islam and that Faith has not entered their heart.

The ayah has used the word Islam in the meaning of outward submission; a mere verbal expression of accepting the religion. The eminent research scholar and mentor Javed Ahmed Ghamdi in his tafseer Al Bayan explains that this is one of the known meanings of the word ’اَسْلَمْنَا’ which has been used here. Does that mean Momin and Muslim are two opposite terms in the language of the Quran. Far from it. “But, in fact, this is an absolutely wrong idea. No doubt the word iman here has been used for sincere affirmation by the heart and the word Islam for only outward and external submission but to understand them as two independent and mutually contradictory terms of the Quran is not correct” asserts the eminent scholar Maudoodi. The Holy Text, as we all have read, clearly declares that “Islam” is the name of our Deen which has been sent to us by Allah. It combines submission and faith. A Muslim therefore is the one who starts whatever he does with a sincere heart and follows the dictates of of his religion. A few verses as an illustration:3

“The Religion before God is Islam (submission to His Will)……”
“…….It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation)…….”
“Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to God’s (Which is Islam), and he joined not gods with God”

It is obvious then, in the Quranic terminology Muslim and Islam are terms given by our Creator.

You will agree though, the difference and comparison between the terms “Islam and Eemaan” and “Muslim and Momin” needs deeper deliberation. Mufti Mohammed Shafi has discussed this topic in his outstanding Tafseer “Ma’ariful Quran” under the heading “Lexical and Technical Analysis of the Concepts ‘Islam’ and ‘Eemaan’” On first reading it sounds very confusing. However a little persistence is rewarded by clarification. The two terms, technically, imply different meaning and message. But they are not contradictory. As a matter of fact, they are complimentary; one leads to the other. One is not enough by itself for salvation. Both are needed for atonement. Eemaan in the shari’ah connotes “a firm and unshakable belief in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger.” Islam on the contrary requires total submission and compliance to Allah Ta'aala Subhaanahoo and the Holy Prophet. In practice, a true and strong internal belief must and will lead to desirable and requisite outward deeds. But these apparent and professed performances will be branded as hypocrisy unless buttressed by sincere and honest Belief and feelings in the heart. Put it differently, Eemaan—the inner quality of heart—must express itself in the prescribed noble deeds; and the latter needs the former to be recognized as genuine and not sanctimonious.

Scholar Javed Ahmed Ghamdi has very forcefully defined what Eemaan stands for. Since a translation cannot do justice, I am quoting his fluent Urdu: “یعنی وہ حقیقی ایمان جو رگ و پے میں اترتا ہے تو دل و دماغ کو اِس طرح اپنی گرفت میں لے لیتا ہے کہ انسان کے فکر و عمل میں کوئی چیز اُس سے الگ اور اُس کے اثرات سے خالی نہیں رہ جاتی۔
i.e. that genuine eemaan when it seeps into the entire body and lifeblood, it takes over full control of the heart and mind so that nothing in the thoughts and actions of man remains aloof and unaffected from its influence.

It should also be noted that the the words eemaan and momin in the Quran do not always specify sincere Muslims. It calls out time and again “يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنوا O you who have believed” to address the general community of Muslims which includes the nominal Muslims and the hypocrites in addition to the True Believers.

The Quran itself defines what is Faith and who is a momin in the very next ayah to the index ayah:4

“Only those are Believers who have believed in God and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of God: Such are the sincere ones.”

While the index ayah emphasizes obedience, this verse stresses on belief. It is clarified that a Momin does not have any doubts about the Truth—Belief in one and only God Almighty and the Hereafter—and therefore is ready to sacrifice all he has, including his life in the defense of his Beliefs. This in fact is the testimony and evidence that they do not have any questions or qualms about their Faith. Surely, a person will offer all his goods and chattel and his life only if he is entirely confident of the cause.

Who are these Bedouins referred to herein? They are the contemporaries of the Prophet from the surrounding villages of Madinah. “But its import is general and timeless” declares Dr. Mohammed Asad in his powerful tafseer “The Message of the Quran”. They were impressed more by the emerging Islamic political power rather than the mission and call to Eemaan. They would address the the Holy Prophet as their equal and even be condescending in their attitude claiming that they have contributed to the eminence and exaltation of the beloved Prophet. However, according to many scholars, the reference here is to particular groups of bedouins who converted to Islam after it had achieved power and authority in the land. This would guarantee their safety and also gains materially. They were sincere in accepting Islam but the objective was selfish and mundane. Since they had not fought and resisted the Muslims, they regarded their acceptance of Islam as a great favor and service to Muslims. Hence they felt entitled to demand all sorts of favors from Muslims and their Prophet. According to traditions, there were several such tribal groups, e.g. Muzainah, Juhainah, Aslam, Ashja, Ghifar, etc. However, the tribe of Bani Asad bin Khuzaimah stands out in particular. According to Imam Baghawi, this verse was revealed in connection with this tribe. Ibn Abbas and Saeed bin Jubair have stated that “once during a drought they came to Madinah and making a demand for financial help, they said to the Prophet (peace be upon him) again and again: We became Muslims without any conflict, we did not fight against you as have such and such other tribes fought. By this they clearly meant to point out that their refraining from fighting against the Messenger (peace be upon him) of Allah and their accepting Islam was a favor to Muslims and the Holy Prophet for which they must be rewarded by the Messenger (peace be upon him) and the Muslims.” This ayah is most probably referring to this tribe and to similar attitude and conduct of the Bedouin group living around Al- Madinah.

Nasr, Seyyed Hossein et al have a very pertinent comment on this ayah in their tafseer “A New Translation and Commentary—The Study Quran”. They state “This verse indicates that belief is of a higher rank than submission, that faith has degrees, and that tribal affiliations are superseded by those of faith….. In this sense, this verse admonishes all forms of religious pretension”. I would like to particularly stress the remarks “that tribal affiliations are superseded by those of faith”. Regretfully the majority of present Muslim “Ummah” comprising one fourth of humanity blindly and aggressively adheres to these instincts of herd associations to a complete exclusion of the basic principles of our Faith. Hence brutal dictators in their own country are projected as heroes of Muslims, a shocking, hideous and totally un-Islamic murder (attempted) of an innocent young girl is justified by the drone attacks of America and a psychopathic monster—ISIS— is absolved of its atrocities and the finger is pointed at USA for manufacturing the weapons which were used by ISIS. I am sorry Sisters and Brothers in Islam for repeating myself. This approach is so overwhelming, so irresponsible and so dangerous/damaging to the image and teaching of Islam that it cannot be overemphasized. The examples quoted above are not from the nonsense on the social media; these are directly from the horses mouth.

Commenting on the index ayah, the eminent scholar Dr. Mohammed Asad endorses this view forcefully and beautifully: “Inasmuch as this is evidently an allusion to the intense tribalism of the bedouin and their "pride of descent" (Razi), the above verse connects with the preceding condemnation of all tribal preferences and prejudices, and with the call for their abandonment as a prerequisite of true faith”

To sum up, as a PPK Muslim, I visualize different steps and grades rather than definitions in comprehending the meaning of the two terms: Islam and Eemaan:

First, the apparent association with the Faith of Islam. A new born in a Muslim family is announced the kalimaa and the azaan in the ears; on growing sh/e sees Islamic practices around; later follows in the masjid holding the hands of mother/father. A convert goes through this process formally and deliberately with a verbal expression of the Kalma. By this metric—nominal association with Islam—the Ummah adds unto solid 1.6 billion souls, one fourth of humanity. They may be qualified as Muslims for census purposes.

Second, the individual develops interest in his Faith, learns about it and practices all its do’s and avoids all it don’ts. Loves his tribe of fellow brethren. He concentrates on “obedience and submission”. Now he is a Muslim in the true sense. According to this criteria the counting of Muslims drops down considerably.

Third, the individual dives deeper into his faith. Tries to and gets the real meaning, message and goals of his Faith. His conviction about the Hereafter, guides and steers him on the earth. His driving force in life is not the prejudice, rivalry or animosity of other religions but the true dictates and principles of Islam. He emphasises on “belief” in addition to “obedience” Now he has graduated to be labelled as a Momin. The tally of this type is presumably very low.

In Shariah, can a person be a “Muslim" but not a "Momin" or be a "Momin"but not a “Muslim". In my humble opinion, a large section of Muslims may not and do not qualify to be Momins. However a Momin has to be good Muslim by definition.

........and Allah knows best.
May Allah Ta’aala bless us with true understanding--“fahm”--of our Deen, Aameen.

Dr. Khalid Mitha

FOOTNOTES

(1) Surah 2/269
يُؤتِي الحِكمَةَ مَن يَشاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤتَ الحِكمَةَ فَقَد أوتِيَ خَيرًا كَثيرًا ۗ وَما يَذَّكَّرُ إِلّا أُولُو الأَلبابِ

(2) Surah 102/8
ثُمَّ لَتُسأَلُنَّ يَومَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعيمِ
(3)
Surah 3/19 (part of Ayah)
إِنَّ الدّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الإِسلامُ
Surah 22/78
هُوَ سَمّاكُمُ المُسلِمينَ مِن قَبلُ وَفي هٰذا
Surah 3/67
ما كانَ إِبراهيمُ يَهودِيًّا وَلا نَصرانِيًّا وَلٰكِن كانَ حَنيفًا مُسلِمًا وَما كانَ مِنَ المُشرِكينَ
(4) Surah 49/15
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُوا وَجَاهَدُوا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الصَّادِقُونَ
May 31, 2020

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Islam v/s Eemaan; Muslim v/s Momin Synonyms? Contradictory? Complimentary? None of these?