After we know Faith can increase and decrease, then knowing the causes of increasing and decreasing faith has benefits and becomes very important. It is appropriate for a Muslim to know then apply and practice it in daily life, so that his faith becomes more perfect and strong. Also to keep away from opponents who are the cause of reduced faith so that they can take care of themselves and be safe in this world and the hereafter.
Sheikh Abdurrahman as-Sa'di wombahullah explained that a servant who gets taufiq from Allah ta'ala always try to do two things:
- Realizing faith and its branches and applying it both scientifically and in charity together.
- Trying to reject all that opposes and remove faith or reduce it from slander that is visible and hidden, treats shortcomings from the beginning and treats the next with repentance and knowing one thing before it disappears.[1]
Realizing faith and strengthening it is done by recognizing the causes of increasing faith and implementing them. While trying to reject all that erases and opposes it is done by recognizing the causes of lack of faith and being careful not to fall into it.
Studies related to this article 👉🏼 The reason for the increase and decrease in faith
Causes of Increased Faith
First: Learn useful knowledge that comes from the Qur'an and as Sunnah. This is the most important and useful reason for increasing faith because knowledge is a means of worshiping Allah ta'ala and realize monotheism correctly and appropriately. The increase in faith gained from knowledge can occur from various sides, including:
- The side of the expert of science in seeking knowledge
- Their seat in the halaqah of knowledge
- Mudzakarah (discussion) between them in terms of knowledge
- Increasing knowledge of Allah and His Shari'ah
- Applying the knowledge they have learned
- Additional rewards from those who learn from them
Second: Contemplating the verses of kauniyah. Contemplating and researching the state and existence of Allah's creatures ta'ala diverse and amazing is a very strong motivating factor for faith and strengthen faith.
Sheikh Abdurrahman as-Sa'di wombahullah states, "Among the causes and factors driving faith are: contemplation to the universe in the form of the creation of the heavens and the earth and the creatures that inhabit it and researching the human self and its characteristics. These are all strong motivating factors for increasing faith.”[2]
Third: Trying earnestly to carry out righteous deeds sincerely, multiplying and continuing them. This is because all Shari'a practices that are carried out sincerely will increase faith. Because faith increases with the increase in the practice of obedience and the number of worship.
Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih al-Utsaimin wombahullah once said, “One of the causes of increased faith is obedience. Because faith will increase according to the good implementation, the type and number of deeds. The better the practice, the greater the addition of faith and the better the implementation is with sincerity and mutaba'ah (i.e. the Prophet ) sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). Whereas type of practice, then the obligatory is more important than the sunnah and some deeds of obedience are more emphasized and more important than others. The more important the obedience, the greater the increase in faith. As for the many (quantity) practices, it will increase faith, because practice is part of faith. So surely faith will increase with increasing practice.”[3]
Causes of Loss of Faith
The causes of reduced faith are those that come from within humans themselves (internal factors) and some come from outside (external factors).
Internal factors of reduced faith
First: Stupidity. This is the greatest cause of loss of faith, just as knowledge is the greatest cause of increased faith.
Second: Negligence, turning away from the truth and forgetting. These three things are one of the important causes of lack of faith.
Third: Disobedience and sin. Obviously disobedience and sin are very detrimental and have a bad influence on faith. As the implementation of Allah's command ta'ala increase faith, as well as violation of Allah's prohibition ta'ala reduce faith. But of course, sin and disobedience have degrees, the damage and loss they cause, as stated by Ibn al-Qayyim. wombahullah in his words, "It is certain that disbelief, disobedience and disobedience have levels as well as faith and good deeds graded–level"[4]
Fourth: Lust that invites to evil (an-lust ammaratu bissu'). This is the lust that exists in humans and is despicable. This lust invites evil and destruction, as Allah ta'alaexplain in telling the wife of al-Aziz,
وَمَا أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِي إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي إِنَّ رَبِّي غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
"And I do not absolve myself (from guilt), because verily, lust always commands evil, except for lust which my Lord has mercy on. Verily, my Lord is Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Surah Yusuf: 53)
This lust drags humans to disobedience and the destruction of faith, so it is obligatory for us to take refuge in Allah ta'ala from it and try to meditate before doing good and after it.
External factors reduced faith
First: Satan is the eternal enemy of man which is an important external cause that affects faith and reduces its sturdiness.
Second: The world and its slander (temptation). Busy yourself with the world and its adornments, including causes that can reduce faith. Because the more the human spirit has the world and the more he wants it, the more burdensome it becomes for him to obey and seek happiness in the hereafter, as stated by Imam Ibn al-Qayyim.
Third: Bad friends. An ugly and evil friend becomes something very dangerous for his faith, morals and religion. Because it's a prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam has warned us of this in his saying:
الرَّجُلُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَحَدُكُمْ مَنْ يُخَالِلُ
"That one is in on her lover's religion (close friend), then one of you should see who is his lover."[5]
These are the things that must be considered in faith, hopefully this can move us to further strengthen our faith and perfect it.
Wabillahi taufiq.
Footnotes
[1] At-taudhih wa al-Bayaan Lisyajarat al-Imaan page 38
[2] Ibid page 31
[3] Fathu rabbi al-Bariyah page 65
[4] Ighaatsatu al-Lahafaan 2/142
[5] HR at-Tirmidhi 4/589 and rated as hasan by faith al-Albani.
Ustadz Kholid Syamhudi, Lc.
Source: muslim.or.id
Sunnah.
