Overcoming our Weak Emaan ( FAITH) and Having Taqwa (Fear Of Allah)

WEAKNESS OF FAITH (IMAAN) & HAVING TAQWA  

Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem

"Devote your nafs to the company of those who call their Rabb morning and evening intending (thereby) His Face. . ."

Thus, the Qur'aan Majeed commands association–constant companionship–with the Auliyaa. Such company produces love for Allah Ta'ala. In these days of fitnah and fasaad (mischief and corruption) it is urgently needed to be in company of such people who can guide us in times of need.

Never give up making du'a to Allah. It may not happen now, it may not happen next month, but it will happen when Allah knows is best for you.

 All praise belongs to Allah, we praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own souls and from our evil deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can lead astray, and whomever Allah leaves astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah alone, with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His slave and Messenger.

  
 “O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except as Muslims.” Al Imran 3:102

O you who believe! The message is clearly directed to us as believers. It is not a general statement but addressed specifically to the believers and hence the emphasis – O you who believe – Fear Allah.  Fear Allah as He should be feared and die not but as Muslims.  This ayah from the Surah Al Imran (3:102) states a simple and straightforward message that forms the basis of our Iman i.e. having Taqwa.  .

The word Taqwa, having the fear of Allah, has been mentioned in the Qur'an 251 times as an indication of the importance of the subject and the dimension that the concept of Taqwa – the fear of Allah swt.

Signs of weak Imaan (Faith)::

1.Not doing acts of worship properly

2. Not being moved by the verses of the Qur'an

3.Not practicing what one preaches

4.Trying to find shortcuts by treading close to ‘makrooh’ and haram

5. Excessive arguing and disputing

6.Taking sins lightly

7.Feeling that one’s heart is hard and rough

8.Being stingy and miserly

9.Feeling envious and jealous of others’ blessings

10. Going to extremes in demanding luxury

11.Lack of concern about other Muslims’ affairs

12.Not Remembering Allah through DHIKR:

Now please read on in detail how to Overcome our Weak Emaan ( FAITH)

Source of the Article:: http://www.iqrasense.com/faith-and-iman/symptoms-of-weak-faith-eeman-heart.html

Weakness of faith (Emaan) is a common complaint among many brothers and sisters who contact me. Those who are aware and conscious of it struggle to find ways to overcome it. Faith, as we know, is directly connected with the heart. Allah has warned us against the heart that is hardened, black, closed, sick, blind and sealed. The spiritual health of our hearts determines the strength of our faith. When our faith is weak, we can see it in our everyday actions both in what we do and in our prayers.

When our faith is weak, we are more likely to fall into sins until we completely get desensitized to their ghastly nature. The Messenger of Allah peace and blessings be upon him described the heart ravaged by weakness in the sahih hadith by stating: “The heart will be subjected to trial after trial, and there will appear a black stain on any heart that is affected, which will spread until the heart is completely black and sealed, as it were, so that it will not recognise any good deed or denounce any evil, except whatever suits its own desires.” (Reported by Muslim, no. 144)

So what do do? To improve this condition we need to know the symptoms of our weak faith so we can work hard to rid ourselves and cure ourselves, just as we take medicine to cure our sickness.. likewise we take practical steps to cure our weak Emaan. Remember the cure lies with ourselves and our desire to be cured..there is no special or magical solution other than seeking Allah's help! 

The best cure lies within ibadah.

The following highlights some of the symptoms of our weak faith.

1.Not doing acts of worship properly

Acts of worship such as Salat (prayers) are more meaningful when done in a state of Khushu. If you treat your salah as a CHORE, you will not enjoy it. Treat it as a CONVERSATION between you and Allah, and your perception should change.This is a state in which one attains a state of complete concentration and focus while standing before Allah. The Prophet’s fear of Allah and the gratitude that he felt for The Almighty drove him to stand all night in complete concentration in voluntary prayers. When those of us who cannot attain even a fraction of that state of concentration in obligatory prayers (let alone the voluntary prayers), then that is an indication of the weakness of our faith. Such weakness also comes to light when we fail to concentrate in other ibadat such as during reading of the Quran, doing dhikr, making du'aa, etc. We should not forget that worship to Allah is meant to strengthen our connection with Allah and not meant to be a mere mechanical act; it requires thinking about what one is saying and focusing on its meaning.

Let us remind ourselves that such Ibadat performed with a heedless heart may not be accepted by Allah. We know from a hadith that Allah “does not accept the du’aas of one whose heart is heedless of Him.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 3479; al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 594). Let us also not forget that Allah has described those who take salat lightly as hypocrites. He states in the Qur'an:

“… and when they stand up for prayer, they stand up with laziness…” [Quran, Surah An-Nisaa :142)].

Other signs of weakness of faith with regard to prayers are: failing to attend prayers in congregation, not feeling any remorse or guilt if one of the obligatory prayers is missed, not offering a sunnah prayer that is strongly encouraged, deliberately omitting doing anything that is sunnah or fard, such as not fasting in the month of Ramadan and so on. Having an attitude of such indifference goes contrary to what Allah described the believers. He says in the Qur’an:

“… they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us.” [Quran (Surah Al-Anbiya’:90)]

2. Not being moved by the verses of the Qur'an

The verses of the Qur'an brought light to a world that was enveloped in total darkness and ignorance. These verses of truth made people understand their Lord, softened hearts, changed minds, and made people Muslims. Allah attested to the power of these words when He, The Almighty, said in the Quran:

“Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rent asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect.” [Quran (Surah Al-Hashr: 21)]

The verses of the Qur'an cannot fail to affect a true believer whose faith is strong. He takes seriously its message of guidance, commands and prohibitions, and the path that he or she will take after departing from this life. These verses ought to bring a believer of strong faith to tears. But for those with a weakness in their faith will notice their hearts unmoved with the message of the Qur'an.

About those who are affected by its recitations and pondering of its message, Allah says in the Qur'an:

“Allah has sent down the Best Statement, a Book (this Qur'an), its parts resembling each other (in goodness and truth) (and) oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah. He Guides therewith whom He wills; and whomever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide.” [Quran (Surah Az-Zumar:23]

3.Not practicing what one preaches

Hypocrisy is strongly condemned in Islam. How many people are hypocrites? They anyone thing and go and do the other! Those of us who cannot walk their talk in their daily living of Islam within their homes as well as outside suffer from the weakness of their faith. It is imperative, therefore, that one who preaches to others, the one who gives sermons and lectures, the one who teaches and advises, should himself follow the teachings. He should practise what he preaches, as a good example and role model for others to follow. A good honest leader is one with these qualities. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful is it with Allah that you say that which you do not do.” [Quran (Surah As Saff :2-3]

4.Trying to find shortcuts by treading close to ‘makrooh’ and haram

Not giving importance to what is approved by Allah and what is disapproved, leads some people to find "shortcuts" and tread close to the territory of haram, or as one says..in the footsteps of the Shaytaan. This gets them involved in ‘makrooh’ acts (undesirable but not haram). However, makrooh deeds eventually ensnare them in haram deeds. The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever falls into doubtful matters falls into haram, like a shepherd who grazes his flock around a place where he is not allowed – he will soon enter it…” (Reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim; this version narrated by Muslim, no. 1599).

Such weakness of faith nurtures an attitude that seeks any fatwa providing legitimacy to their desired actions. This shows one’s readiness to commit the first level of haram, taking small sins lightly. This can then lead to boldness in transgressing even further and violating the limits set by Allah. It is for this reason that for example, in the following verse, Allah not only forbade the act of “zinaa” but also told us not to get even near it (through acts that gradually pushes one to it).

“And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Fahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin), and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him). [Quran (Surah Al-Isra:32)]”

5. Excessive arguing and disputing

When the intent to correct someone goes too far and is overtaken by the desire to be right, one walks into the realm of argumentation and dispute. That in turn is a weakness of faith. The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said, “No people will go astray after having being guided except that they become argumentative.” (Reported by Ahmad in al-Musnad, 5/252; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5633).

Arguing with no proof and for no good reason leads one far away from the straight path, and most people enter into futile arguments without knowledge or guidance or reference to the Qur'an. Futile arguments should be avoided as the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: “I guarantee a house in the outskirts of Paradise to the one who forsakes argument even when he is in the right.” (Reported by Abu Dawood, 5/150; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1464).

Where arguments happen, calm yourself down first. Then try to come to common terms. Then try to tackle what it was that led to the argument slowly and carefully and try to unrest and each other's point of view. Except that everyone has a different opinion and outlook in life. Try to compromise. Listen to what the others say and try to accept what they say without any further conflict. Agree to disagree. Move on!

6.Taking sins lightly

Weakness of faith makes a person take sins lightly, and he does not think that he has done anything wrong. Describing the difference in the attitude of the believer and the hypocrite, Ibn Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The believer sees his sins as if he were sitting beneath a mountain which he fears will fall on him, whilst the sinner sees his sins as if it were a fly passing his nose and he says such-and-such to it” – i.e., he shoos it away with his hand. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, 11/102; Taghleeq al-Ta’leeq, 5/136, Al-Maktab al-Islami).

Committing sins without regard to their seriousness can desensitize one to their effects and eventually emboldens one to even publicise them. Regarding such a person the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) has said: “All of my ummah will be fine except for those who commit sin openly, an example of which is a man who does something at night, and when morning comes and Allah has concealed his sin, he says, ‘O So-and-so, I did such and such yesterday.’ His Lord had covered his sin all night, but he has uncovered what Allah had concealed.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath 10/486).

7.Feeling that one’s heart is hard and rough

Hardness of heart is another symptom of weak faith. One can easily detect such hardness when one’s heart remains unmoved even by reminders of the sounding of the adhan, death or on seeing the dead and attending funerals. A person may carry the dead to his grave and throw earth into the grave, yet not recognise the gravity of what all of us will face one day. Allah describes this condition when He (Subhnahu wa taala ) says:

“Then, after that, your hearts were hardened and became as stones or even worse in hardness” [Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah:74)]

8.Being stingy and miserly

Islamic guidance encourages one to spend their wealth on various causes such as the poor and other noble deeds. To spend on ten family and provide their needs. Allah says:

“Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” [Quran, Surah Al-Baqara:262)]

However, reluctance to spend on those who are in need out of fear that one’s own wealth will be diminished, is a clear indication of the weakness of one’s faith in Allah The Benevolent, The Provider of rizq. The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Stinginess and faith never exist together in the heart of the believer.” (Reported by al-Nisaa’i, al-Mujtaba, 6/13; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2678).

9.Feeling envious and jealous of others’ blessings

A person with a strong faith knows that Allah bestows His blessings on whom He pleases. The weakness of faith, however, can make us to question the fairness of it all leading us to compare our blessings with others giving birth to feelings of envy and jealousy. Envying others and feeling jealous of worldly possessions that others have goes against the teachings of Allah and His prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Emaan and hasad do not exist together in the heart of the true slave.” (Reported by Abu Dawood, 5/150; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1464).

10. Going to extremes in demanding luxury

The obsession to have various materials, luxuries and amenities of this life has created a cut throat culture mesmerising those whose faith is not as strong. Whether it is about staying in tune with the latest looks, trends of fashion, or the need to have have the latest gadgets and fancy living, the attraction of such luxuries is diverting our attention from vital life matters. We should know that such obsessions carry the risks of consuming ones life to the point where we start neglecting our responsibilities toward our Creator and families. As reported in the hadeeth of Mu’aadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him): When the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) sent him to Yemen, he advised him: “Beware of luxury, for the slaves of Allah do not live a life of luxury.” (Reported by Abu Na’eem in al-Hilyah, 5/155; Silsilat al-Saheehah, 353.

There is nothing wrong with having high tech or latest state of the art things, but one should never forget the remembrance of Allah or become ignorant and arrogant through its use and ownership.

11.Lack of concern about other Muslims’ affairs

Lack of interest in the affairs of Muslims, be it by making Du'aa, giving charity or helping them, is another sign of weak faith. It is even worse when one remains unconcerned and indifferent towards the oppression, suppression and disasters suffered by fellow Muslims in other parts of the world. The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The believer’s position in relation to his fellow believers is like that of the head to the body; the believer feels the pain of his fellow believers as the body reacts to the pain suffered by the head.” (Musnad Ahmad, 5/340; al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 1137).

12.Remembering Allah through DHIKR:

Remembering Allah much through acts of dhikr brings much peace and tranquility to the heart. It also gives us a sense of taqwa(fear of allah), a consciousness that makes us realise that Allah Almighty is ever near and that we should always strive to please Him. 

Some beneficial dhikr include: 

Subhan'Allah- 'Praise be to Allah' 
Al-Hamdullilah- 'Thanks be to Allah' 
Allahu Akbar – 'Allah is the Greatest.'
La ila ha illallah- There is no worthy of worship except allah

Abu haraira(ra) Narrates: Prophet(saw) said: whoever says: Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi – (I deem Allah free of any resemblances to anything whatever in any repeat, and I glorify his praises) one hundred times a day will have his sins forgiven even though they may be as much as the foam of the sea – (Bukhari,b73:c19)
Read much of this zikr:

Subhaan-Allahi walhamdu-lillaahi, wa laa ilaa-ha illa-la ill-lal-lahu wallahu Akbar, walaa haula wala quoow-wata illa billa hil-Aliyyil-azeem. 

"Glory is for Allaah and all Praise is due to Allah. There is none worthy of worship except Allaah. Allaah is the greatest. There is no power and no strength except with Allaah the Most High, the Great." 

Conclusion

Knowing the existence of problem is a prerequisite to finding the solution to those problems. Constant evaluation of our self can help us be on the watch for these symptoms. Once we know about the existence of such symptoms, we can work to cure them both in our hearts and actions.

Read more in  http://www.khutbahbank.org.uk/More_khutbahs/Weakness%20of%20Faith.htm

read more in http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?40459-10-steps-to-increase-our-imaan(faith)