22 Symptoms of Weak Faith | A Book Excerpt from Weakness of Faith

How do you know if your faith is weak? Many Muslims feel a distance from Allah, a heaviness in worship, or a hardness in the heart — but cannot identify the root cause. Shaykh Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid, hafidhahullah, provides a clear and sobering answer in the opening chapter of Weakness of Faith, listing 22 symptoms that indicate a weakened iman.

Read through them carefully and honestly.

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22 Symptoms of Weak Faith

1. Falling into sin and performing actions that are unlawful
2. Feelings of hardness and harshness in the heart
3. Carelessness during acts of worship
4. Laziness about performing acts of obedience and worship, or neglecting them altogether
5. Depression, moodiness, and reclusiveness
6. Indifference to the verses of the Qur'an
7. Heedlessness concerning Allah and failure to remember Him and supplicate to Him
8. Complacency when Allah's prohibitions are violated
9. Love of prominence and status
10. Stinginess and miserliness
11. Preaching what one does not practice
12. Feeling pleased at the affliction of fellow Muslims
13. Judging matters only on whether they are prohibited, with no concern for what is disliked
14. Considering good deeds to be insignificant and showing no concern for smaller ones
15. Indifference to the problems of Muslims
16. Loosening of the ties of brotherhood and sisterhood
17. Lack of motivation to work for the religion or to spread it
18. Panic or fear at the time of affliction or hardship
19. An abundance of arguments and disputes, which harden the heart
20. Attachment to and love of the world, and feeling ease therein
21. Complete rationalization of speech and behavior, and loss of firm belief
22. Exaggerated self-interest

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A Reflection

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Faith becomes worn out inside one of you just as a garment becomes worn out, so ask Allah to renew the faith in your hearts." (Al-Hakim — graded reliable by al-Haythami)

Iman is not a fixed state. It rises and falls. The scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have always affirmed this — that faith increases through obedience and decreases through sin and heedlessness. Recognising the symptoms is the first step toward seeking the cure. Shaykh al-Munajjid goes on to explain the root causes behind them in 8 Causes of Weak Faith.

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About the Book

Weakness of Faith by Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid also covers the causes of weak faith and 20 practical cures. It is a concise, honest, and deeply beneficial read for every Muslim. Available at The Islamic Book Cafe for $9.00.

Get your copy here

Baarakallahu feekum — The Islamic Book Cafe | Portland, Oregon