Protecting Your Faith: Overcoming the Weakness in Faith in Islam

Followers of Islam understand it as the complete way of life chosen by Allah (God). Believers seek true peace in this world and ultimate salvation in the hereafter through adherence to its principles and teachings. Throughout history, Allah sent prophets and messengers with a core message: to call humanity to the worship of the One God (Tawhid) and to guide them away from actions that could cause a weakness in faith. Therefore, it is essential for every Muslim to understand these concepts and learn the practical steps for protecting your faith, all based on the Quran and authentic Hadith.

Understanding Actions That Cause Weakness in Faith

Islamic scholars, drawing from the Quran and Sunnah, have identified several actions that can distance a person from the path of Islam. The following are nine of the most significant concepts to be mindful of.

1. What is Shirk in Islam: Associating Partners with Allah

The most severe sin in Islam is Shirk. To understand what is Shirk in Islam, one must recognize it as the act of associating partners with Allah in His Lordship, attributes, or His right to be worshipped. According to Islamic teaching, Allah does not forgive this sin unless one sincerely repents from it before death.

إِنَّاللهَلاَيَغْفِرُأَنْيُشْرَكَبِهِوَيَغْفِرُمَادُوْنَذَلِكَلِمَنْيَشَاءُ

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.”

(Surah An-Nisa: 116)

2. Harboring Doubts: A Clear Sign of Weakness in Faith

A Muslim’s faith is based on certainty. Therefore, if one harbors sincere doubt about the truthfulness of Islam or considers other belief systems to be equally valid paths to salvation, it can compromise the very foundation of their Iman.

3. Preferring Human laws Over the Shari’ah

A core Islamic belief is that Allah’s law (Shari’ah) is perfect and complete. As a result, anyone who believes that Human laws or ideologies are superior to the Islamic Shari’ah holds a belief that contradicts the principles of faith. For a believer, the final authority always rests with Allah and His Messenger.

وَمَاكَانَلِمُؤْمِنٍوَلاَمُؤْمِنَةٍإِذَاقَضَىاللهُوَرَسُوْلُهُأَمْرًاأَنْيَكُوْنَلَهُمُالْخِيَرَةُمِنْأَمْرِهِمْ

“It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should have any choice in their matter.”

(Surah Al-Ahzab: 36)

4. Hating Any Part of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) Teachings

A person who harbors hatred for any established part of the religion brought by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is in a dangerous spiritual state. This is true even if they outwardly practice some of its rituals, as internal rejection negates outward action.

ذَلِكَبِأَنَّهُمْكَرِهُوْامَاأَنْزَلَاللهُفَأَحْبَطَأَعْمَالَهُمْ

“That is because they disliked what Allah revealed, so He rendered their deeds worthless.”

(Surah Muhammad: 9)

5. Mocking Any Aspect of Islam

Islam considers the act of mocking or ridiculing Allah, His Messenger (ﷺ), the Quran, or any established Islamic practice as an act of disbelief (Kufr). Consequently, such actions can nullify one’s faith.

قُلْأَبِاللهِوَآيَاتِهِوَرَسُوْلِهِكُنْتُمْتَسْتَهْزِئُوْنَ،لاَتَعْتَذِرُوْاقَدْكَفَرْتُمْبَعْدَإِيْمَانِكُمْ

“Say, ‘Is it Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?’ Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief.”

(Surah At-Tawbah: 65-66)

6. Engaging in or Believing in Sorcery

Practicing, commissioning, or believing in magic and sorcery is an act contrary to Islamic monotheism. Similarly, placing faith in fortune-tellers or astrologers is a faith-damaging act that can create a severe weakness in faith.

7. Supporting Those Who Actively Harm the Muslim Community

Supporting any group against Muslims with the specific intent to cause harm to the Muslim community is a grave act. In Islam, this is a major form of hypocrisy that can nullify one’s faith.

8. Believing Salvation Can Be Achieved Through Other Religions Today

A foundational principle of Islam is that since the coming of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Islam is the only path to salvation accepted by Allah. Believing otherwise is contrary to this core Islamic creed.

9. Intentionally Turning Away from Islam

Deliberately turning away from the religion of Allah, by neither learning its essential tenets nor practicing them, is an act of intentional ignorance. Over time, this can lead to a profound weakness in faith.

Protecting Your Faith from Weakness

Guarding the priceless gift of faith is a primary duty for every believer. Below are some essential ways for protecting your faith.

1. Seek Authentic Islamic Knowledge: Firstly, understanding the Quran and authentic Hadith is the best defense against misguidance.
2. Constantly Seek Refuge in Allah: In addition, make it a regular habit to pray to Allah to protect your faith.
3. Be Consistent in Worship: Furthermore, performing obligatory acts like the five daily prayers with sincerity strengthens your Iman.
4. Choose Righteous Company: The people you surround yourself with have a profound impact on your faith. For this reason, the company of righteous people is invaluable.
5. Turn to Repentance (Tawbah): If you fall into sin, do not despair. Instead, turn back to Allah immediately with sincere repentance.
6. Frequently Remember Death: Remembering death helps detach the heart from worldly temptations and motivates one to prepare for the hereafter.
7. Practice Patience and Gratitude: Finally, being patient during hardship and grateful during ease are signs of a strong faith.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

Ultimately, this discussion makes it clear that numerous challenges can create a weakness in faith. Consequently, if we are not vigilant, we risk damaging the most valuable asset we possess.

However, the mercy of Allah is limitless. If a person falls into these errors but turns back with sincere repentance, Allah’s forgiveness is always available. It is upon all of us to treat these matters with seriousness and to strive to keep ourselves far from them. May Allah grant us all the ability to live with complete faith and to die as true believers. Ameen.