Part 1: Its Planting
To have conviction in one's beliefs, one must be aware of its foundational principles and be convinced that it is the truth. Conviction is a matter of both the mind and the heart (ie. it lies in both logical and emotional dimensions). One who is walking on unstable ground will most probably find themselves sinking right into a quicksand pit unless they are aware that they are in a hazardous area (through warning signs or prior knowledge) and is convinced that he is in one.
To have conviction (yaqin) in Islam is essential, especially living in times where Iblis' work is everywhere: from distractions, to doubts, to desires. Having yaqin (and acting on it) is the sure path to success in this world and the next. If one does is not even sure that the path he is taking is the right one, how will he stay on it?
Part 2: Its Germination
Logic
Why believe in God?
There are many issues with not believing God exists. Firstly, there is the issue with the contingency argument. And that is, something cannot come out of nothing. Then there is the issue of intelligent design. The universe is filled with so many physical systems - down from the simplest microbe to the largest cosmic structures; as well as non-physical/tangible systems, from the simplest mathematical equation to the most complex law of physics. The world is observable, orderly and intelligible. Lastly there is the issue of morality. Without any objective morals, and without an entity that is "above" (in knowledge) humanity to guide us with what's right and wrong, we will be left to create laws that subject our morality. But then what can be seen as immoral and degenerate behaviour in one society can be seen as upstanding and respectable in another. Is humanity supposed to live with no real standards? We can form as many committees and coalitions agreeing on a set standard of morality as we want, but the only truth is that it is dictated by the powers that enforce it; not moral obligations. As Muslims, we believe in the Creator, who knows our individual wants and desires; our strengths and weaknesses. And following His law, while sometimes incomprehensible to us, is only best for us.
The absence of directly observing God does not necessitate His non-existence. And although as human beings, while we have little to no clue about God's "wheres", "whens", "whys" and "hows" (eg. where is God now, how does He exists beyond time, why did He create us, how does He look like), it is sufficient enough for us to know His attributes (eg. He is God, He is The Most Merciful) - -- as they are what matter to our worldly lives now - and that His existence is the most logical conclusion as it fulfils all the issues listed above.
Islam is the only religion that is truly monotheistic. Allah is One. He is perfect, unfaultable and immutable. His knowledge and power is absolute and is in need of nothing. His reality is unimaginable to the limited human mind! For everything we see and think is His creation, and no creation is like the Creator.
"... There is nothing like unto him ..."
Translation of the Quran, Surah Ash-Shuraa : Ayah 11
Truly, only One with such capabilities is worthy of being the one true God, the Creator of space and time itself. He is indeed deserving of all praise and worship.
Emotion
As emotion is personal and subjective, its reasons can be many. It can be through witnessing the good character of Muslims, or their perseverance in hard times, or feeling comfort that there is a God that has planned our life ahead of us, and is always there for us we are in need. In Islam, we know that Allah rewards us for patience and puts blessings in our hardship. Every morsel of (sincere) goodness we do is rewarded and every prick of pain or injustice we experience does not go unnoticed; He is Ever-Watching and All-Seeing. Never does He sleep nor slumber, and inconceivable it is for Him to weaken or become deficient in any way.
In today's fast-paced life, to find inner peace is especially valued: be it from knowing Allah's attributes, in hoping for Jannah, in the movement and utterances of the daily prayers, when making dua to Him, when performing virtuous Islamic acts (such as sadaqah), or when experiencing the brother/sisterhood of Muslims.
A Caveat
Allah has made the ways to Islam numerous, and all are legitimate. However, Islam is a comprehensive religion. For it to be practiced in its truest form, logic, reason and emotion must all be present in a person's spiritual growth. Lest its practices become empty outward actions or its beliefs become mere wishful thinking.
Part 3: Its Growth
But the seedling of faith does not grow on its own just as an actual plant does not. It requires minerals (from the soil), water and sunlight. Likewise, iman requires knowledge (minerals) and action (water) to grow. It also requires care and nurture (sunlight) for it to be a strong plant, and even blossom later on. Without knowledge, one becomes uncertain of what is halal and haram, and what will lead to pleasure or misery (both in this world and the next). Their daily actions and intentions will be without the remembrance of God and sooner or later may even forget Him. Walking through life without illumination of knowledge will lead to spiritual stumbles and falls, stunting one's iman growth. It is as though the seedling is in infertile soil. Therefore, to obtain minerals for the soil is to obtain knowledge.
As for actions, one must perform them consistently just as a plant must be watered consistently. Overwatering can "drown" a new plant, but watering too far and few in between can also cause a beautiful plant to wilt. Actions of the limbs influence the soul as our body connects with its intended purpose. Lack in actions represents lack of belief. Although the mind and heart may believe, iman does not flow past them when excuses or indolence overtakes a body. There is no shame in feeling "forced" to do righteous deeds. Our physical body, not only our inner selves, is also capable of influencing our spirit. Sincerity does not only lie in the heart and mind, but also in the body.
The Effects of Sin
Sins cover the heart with darkness such that it prevents the light of iman from shining through, both from within (allowing a heart to shine with iman) and beyond (not allowing light to penetrate the heart). The greater the sin, the greater this effect. But also, committing small sins frequently shaves iman until the fitrah is left small and feeble. It makes one a slave to his desires, and it makes Shaytan easy to drag them by their noses just like how a beast of burden is led around by their nose ring. To avoid worship of Allah is out of shyness is self-defeating and from ignorance. It is succumbing oneself even further in Shaytan's trap - truly one of their greatest forms of deception.
Committing a sin may seem spiritual, but it also a psychological element. One's guilt complex may prevent themselves from asking from someone he has wronged, but Allah is not just "anyone". To forgive a mountain of sin, and to bless someone with abundance is easy for Him. Evil is a created thing, and all created things are beneath the Creator - nothing escapes Him. One must have mental fortitude and knowledge to continue worshipping Allah and asking forgiveness from Him even if one is deep in sin or a habitual sinner.
The Remembrance of Death
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Frequently remember the destroyer of pleasures" meaning death.
Sunan Ibn Majah 4258
When we pass away, the very first thing we lose is our own selves. That is we lose possession and control even over our bodies - something that we were deluded to think has belonged to us our entire lives. As it decomposes, all that is left is our soul. And when we are to be raised up on the Day of Judgement, our bodies will form again to house our soul - only to testify against ourselves the wrongdoing we have committed.
To have iman is to know that life is futile without God. We eat and defecate, sleep and wake up, spend our times either toiling at work or engrossing in short-bursts of entertainment - and for what? All will turn to dust. We go through life, with its ups and downs, with all its drama and fluff. We busy ourselves with one thing to the next. Nothing on this earth will we love except that it will either leave us, fail us or betray us. Our beautiful house we spent a fortune on in mortgage and renovations begins to break down and bore us; our car starts to require frequent trips to the workshop; our careers which we have spent our lives to build upon is full of pains from all the gossip and is indifferent to our personal lives; our children whom we spent much of our time and money on disappoint us or forget us; our spouses whom once filled our heart with hope and love causes heartache after heartache. And we go through all of this until we meet our eventual death.
This world is a distraction - a lowly place. Perhaps this is just exaggeration and pessimism, for the world is indeed full of goodness and enjoyment as well. But it becomes true when put in comparison to that which is everlasting. What are the joys of this earth as compared to the Hereafter? We have only experienced so much on this earth, yet that does not mean that there is nothing greater. In fact the pleasures in that abode is has not been conceived by any human mind, nor witnessed by any human eye, nor tasted by any human tongue. And all is without any pain or fatigue. What are the fruits of this earth as compared to the fruits in Paradise? What are the pleasures we have experienced as compared to the pleasures in Jannah? And what of the torments in this dunya as compared to the torments of Jahannam - if we were not to succeed!
Part 4: Its Flowering
To be rich in iman is for it to show on one's face, a radiant light. Actions become calculated and character becomes praiseworthy. Although it does not mean perfection, one who has faith is constantly in a state of improvement. He has quelled his ego for he knows that he under the watchful gaze of the All-Knowing. He is also always in a state of worship: in his prayers, in his work and in his sleep. He is always competing with others a praiseworthy competition (ie. in doing good deeds), and rushing to opportunities for voluntary worship, for he finds a joy in them - one that far succeeds joys of the flesh.
Not only in avoiding sin, only with iman is a Muslim able to do the right thing, even when it feels difficult. He is reminded that Allah is All-Seeing, and is always hopeful for His reward. In turn, this raises his standing and the blessings upon him are increased.
Part 4: Its Harvest
To have complete faith in Allah is to have constant remembrance of Him; feeling His presence throughout one's daily life. To attain this level is to reach the level just beneath the Prophets.
As is the human condition, feeling emotions such as fear and sadness and having hopes and dreams for this world does not detract from one's faith. To have iman is to live in the reality of knowing one's ultimate destination and works for it in every breath, and that Allah is with him and only wants the best for him, and knows that all that will befall him of blessing and calamity has already been written on The Preserved Tablet. He stays away from sin and matters of doubt, enjoins good and forbids evil, and behaves as befitting of God's viceregent on Earth.
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
"...When I [Allah] love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him."
Sahih Bukhari
Closing Remarks
To have iman is to truly know and believe in the existence of Allah and His Messenger, to believe in the two destinations, and to believe in the existence and influence of the angels and the shayateen around us. That reality becomes a part of our daily life; in our every breath and every step. Although we may never reach the level of the Prophets, whose every fiber of their bodies resonate with the Truth, striving because we fall short is part of the faith.
May we all be blessed with the greatest of blessings, and that is faith, and may we never deviate from it, amin.
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