Iman of the Sahabah vs. Iman of the Bani Israel

The purpose of a believer’s life in this world is to recognize, nurture and protect his Iman (faith). Why? Because a faulty Iman leads to destructive decisions, causing harm to self and others. Living by the principles of a guided Iman grants one the highest options for a noble living.

A true believer knows that his survival and growth is only by attaching himself unconditionally to his Lord. He is able to do that by living a life closest to Fitrah (of connectedness to the Lord of the worlds), reciting and reflecting upon the Holy Quran and internalizing its message for personal reform.

This effort of his will ultimately bear fruit and earn him Allah’s (swt) mercy. The first reward he receives during this worldly life is the light of Iman that satiates his soul. The believer is able to reach his potential, tackle with the darkness within and outside, and become a truly gratified slave of his Lord, submitting to Him entirely.

History shows that in spite of multiple prophets being sent to the Bani Israel, they could not attain this status, because of some deep-rooted issues that prevented them from submission to Allah (swt). Whereas the Sahabahs (companions of the Prophet [sa]) leapt to obey every command of the Prophet Muhammad (sa) to please the Lord.

Today we need to analyze if we are clear of such twisted beliefs or have fallen into the Satan’s trap like the Bani Israel did.

فَإِنْ آمَنُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا آمَنتُم بِهِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ ۖ فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

“So if they believe in the same as you believe in, then they have been [rightly] guided; but if they turn away, they are only in dissension, and Allah will be sufficient for you against them. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah 2:137)

Bani Israel

1. Iman by birth
2. Lifestyle was conventional
3. They followed their ancestors
4. They had a dead Iman (faith) – nothing penetrated their heart
5. Their faith was stationary
6. Metaphorically their Iman was like a rock – hard and arrogant; giving nothing to the world
7. Their Iman had become dysfunctional that benefitted no one
8. They were shallow, easily shaken up in the face of challenges
9. They demonstrated inconsistency between their words and actions
10. They exhibited self-centredness
11. They were closed to growth
12. Their life was based on their inner desires
13. They followed their customs blindly
14. Religion for them was another compartment of their life

Sahabah

1. Iman by discovery
2. Lifestyle was conscious
3. They discovered the truth
4. They had a living Iman that showed penetration at different stages of their life
5. Their faith was ever growing
6. Metaphorically their Iman was like a tree that inhaled all the carbon dioxide (evil) to give the world relief in the form of oxygen (goodness)
7. They had a functional Iman benefitting self and others
8. They were deep and unwavering – 300 believers stood their ground in the Battle of Badr against a sophisticated army of 1000 disbelievers
9. They demonstrated consistency between their words and actions
10. They were God-centred – they had deleted their egos
11. They were open to growth
12. Their life choices were based on Allah’s (swt) book
13. They experienced an intellectual awakening
14. Religion was integrated into their entire life

The point to understand is that Allah (swt) chose the Iman of the Sahabahs to be the benchmark for the believers of all times to come. So where do we stand and how fast can we reach the set standards of Iman? We can invoke Allah (swt) for guidance and help and begin today Insha’Allah! For Allah (swt) promises:

أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ

“Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and [that] you have not besides Allah any protector or any helper?” (Al-Baqarah 2:107)

Adapted from “Connect with the Quran” by Safiya Khan