Allah says in the Qur’ān, “So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are (true) believers” (Qur’ān 3:139). The verse states that the people should not feel weaken or they should not grieve when they face a bad situation but they should strive to become Momin (True Believers) and they would be victorious. There are many ayahs in the Qur’ān which describe the characteristics of a Momin. The ayahs which describe the characteristics of a Momin are 2:285, 4:162, 8:2-3, 9:71, 9:111-112, 23:1-9, 24:51, 24:62, 27:2-3, 33:36 and 49:15.
Two different words are used in the Qur’ān to describe the believers, one is Muslim and another is Momin. Muslim was described as one who submits to Allah. He believes that Allah is one; he offers his prayers and recites the Qur’ān. He believes in Angels and in the Day of Judgment. A Muslim might neglect his religious duties, he might give importance to the world, there might come a time in his life when he surrenders to evil forces. Momin means a believer, who achieves a higher level of faith, he is true believer in all respects and is above Muslim when it comes to faith because the degree of faith begins at Muslim but ends at Momin. Momin cannot neglect his duties and worldly charms and allurements do not entice him.
In this regard, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to attain that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allah and do not feel helpless.” (Muslim) This hadīth shows that it is always better to be a strong believer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE BELIEVER
- Belief (Qur’ān 2:285, 4:162, 24:62, 27:3 and 49:15)
The first characteristics of a Momin is that he should believe in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in all His Messengers, and in the fact that ultimately one will have to stand before Allah’s judgement. These are the five fundamental articles of faith in Islam.
- Obedience (Qur’ān 2:285, 9:71, 9:112, 24:51 and 33:36)
The second characteristic of a Momin is to be obedient. The only proper attitude for a Momin is to cheerfully accept and follow whatever directives he receives from Allah the Exalted. A Momin should strictly follow the command of Allah and the Messenger. He should have the attitude of ‘hear and obey’. He should not make any distinction between any of His Messengers, as it is necessary for a Momin to believe in what was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) and to believe in what was revealed before him.
iii. Establish Prayer (Qur’ān 4:162, 8:3, 9:71, 9:112, 23:2, 23:9 and 27:3)
The third characteristic of a Momin is to perform Salah five times a day, on time, and by taking all the necessary precautions. It is also important that the person to be submissive in Salah as he is standing before Allah the Exalted. In order to establish prayer, man will have to come out of his comfort zone and show obedience.
- Spending in the Way of Allah (Qur’ān 4:162, 8:3, 9:71, 23:4 and 27:3)
The fourth characteristic of a Momin is that he spends in the way of Allah the Exalted. Whatever wealth a person has is given from Allah the Exalted, so he should spend it in such a way that it would please Allah the Exalted. Man loves his wealth the most and he will only go on to become a true believer when he spends his money in the cause of Allah the Exalted.
- Fear of Allah (in the Remembrance of Allah) (Qur’ān 8:2)
The fifth characteristic of a Momin is that the heart is soaked in and brimming with the realisation of Allah’s greatness and his love for Him. This state of the heart demands that there be an atmosphere of respect and fear around it. The people are so warm-hearted, keen and sensitive in their love of Allah that, whenever Allah’s name is mentioned, their hearts are filled with awe by the thought of His greatness. The other name for such a state is called ‘taqwa’.
- Increase in Faith (From Verses of the Qur’ān) (Qur’ān 8:2)
The sixth characteristic of a Momin is that the verses of the Qur’ān increase in faith. The real connection of faith is with the heart, and if care is taken to develop the state of faith that is generated in the heart, then it will be seen that it grows stronger with regularity. When the verses of the Qur’ān are read by understanding, the sense and meaning which results in strengthening of faith.
vii. Trust in Allah (Qur’ān 8:2)
The seventh characteristic of a Momin is that he trusts in Allah the Exalted. The believer should have total trust in Allah, the One and the Pure, free from all conceivable associations and ascriptions, not simply theoretically, but in deeds too, and in all states and conditions of one’s life as well.
viii. Enjoin Good and Forbid Evil (Qur’ān 9:71)
The eighth characteristic of a Momin is to enjoin good and forbid evil. Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is a mission which will never end until the last day. It is obligatory to invite people to all that are good in this world and the hereafter and to stop people from things would lead them to problems and punishment in this world and the hereafter.
- Strive in the Way of Allah (Qur’ān 9:111-112 and 49:15)
The ninth characteristic of a Momin is to strive in the way of Allah. The true believers are the ones who strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. They do not hesitate to strive and fight in the cause of Allah and they strive with utmost courage and exert full effort in destroying the enemy, to the extent that they even taste the cup of martyrdom.
- Repent (Qur’ān 9:112)
The tenth characteristic of a Momin is that he repents. When they commit a mistake they repent. Whenever they commit any mistake or sin, they feel sorry for it and turn towards Allah and beg for his pardon. It is an act where the individual gives up sinning and turns towards Allah’s obedience.
- Praise Allah (Qur’ān 9:112)
The eleventh characteristic of a Momin is that he praises Allah the Exalted. They are the ones who are grateful to Allah and chant the praise of Allah and they are always thankful to him alone.
xii. Move across in the Land in Allah’s Cause (Qur’ān 9:112)
The twelfth characteristic of a Momin is that he moves across the land in the cause of Allah the Exalted. They are the ones who do not ignore the demand of the religion and stick to their homes and native places, but whenever necessary they undertake the hardship of journeys and travel in order to fulfil the demands of the religion, they wander all over the earth struggling in the cause of Allah the Exalted, seeking knowledge, observing the signs, service people, propagation of religion, etc.
xiii. Turn away from Ill Speech (Qur’ān 23:3)
The thirteenth characteristic of a Momin is that they turn away from ill speech. They keep away from vain and purposeless things. Vain refers to which is in no way conducive to achieving one’s goal and purpose in life. The believers pay no heed to such useless things and they show no inclination for or interest in them. If by chance they see such things being indulged in, they keep away and avoid them scrupulously, or treat them with utmost indifference.
xiv. Guard Their Private Parts (Qur’ān 23:5)
The fourteenth characteristic of a Momin is that he guards his private parts. They keep from illegal gratification of their carnal desires, and they observe all the norms of keeping hidden their private parts. They are modest in every sense of the word. They are free from sex abuse and sex perversion. They are so modest that they even conceal those parts of their bodies which the law forbids to expose before others.
- Following Meeting Etiquette (Qur’ān 24:62)
The fifteenth characteristic of a Momin is that he follows the etiquette of meeting. Whenever a meeting is called for giving directions for striving in the path of Allah or any other religious matter, such meetings are of high importance. The demand of the faith is that one should attend the meeting and must not leave the meeting without the permission.
In many ayahs in the Qur’ān, Allah has also communicated about the reward which will be given to the True Believers (Momin). Allah says in the Qur’ān, “… those We will give a great reward.” (Qur’ān 4:162) Allah says in the Qur’ān, “Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees (of high position) with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.” (Qur’ān 8:4) Allah says in the Qur’ān, “… For them is forgiveness and noble provision.” (Qur’ān 8:74) Allah says in the Qur’ān, “… Those – Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Qur’ān 9:71) Allah says in the Qur’ān, “Those are the inheritors, Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally.” (Qur’ān 23:10-11) Allah says in the Qur’ān, “… And those are the successful.” (Qur’ān 24:51) Allah says in the Qur’ān, “… It is those who are the truthful.” (Qur’ān 49:15) Thus, when the people become Momin then Allah would reward us and would grant us victory in this world and in the hereafter.