WHAT IS FAITH AND ISLAM?

FAITH AND ISLAM

124 The literal meanings of the words “faith” and “Islam” are different from each other. The word Islam comes from the root (SLM) and means obedience, submission and surrender to something. In terminology, it means “to surrender to Allah Almighty (cc) and to accept the news and rules that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has conveyed regarding religion.” Imam-i Maturidi: “According to us, faith and Islam are not the same in terms of their literal and verbal meanings; however, they are the same in terms of the nature intended by them. When examined, it is seen that they are the same.”(45) He says. Essentially, whoever denies some of the conditions of Islam has also abandoned the faith. Likewise, whoever abandons the faith by accepting some of the principles of faith has distanced himself from Islam and has become an unbeliever.

125 Nureddin As-Sabûni mentions the following on this subject: “The terms faith and Islam are the same for us, the Ahl as-Sunnah. However, according to the scholars of Zawahir, they are different things. The proof of the Ahl as-Sunnah view is as follows. “Faith” consists of confirming Allah Almighty (swt) in the commands and prohibitions He has informed us about. “Islam”, on the other hand, is to submit to His divinity and obey, and this can only be achieved by adopting His commands and prohibitions. Therefore, in terms of the ruling they carry, faith cannot be separated from Islam and there can be no opposition between them. The one who claims that faith and Islam are different things is asked: “What is the ruling on a person who is a believer but not a Muslim, or a Muslim but not a believer?” If a ruling that exists for one but does not exist for the other can be proven, then that is fine, otherwise the falsity of his statement will be revealed.”(46)

126 Imam-i Maturidi (rha) relies on the following definite texts while explaining that faith and Islam are one in essence. (47) When the rulings of the Holy Quran are examined, it becomes clear that faith and Islam are one in essence. Allah Almighty (swt) said: “O believers (when the Jews and Christians invite you to their religion), say: We believe in Allah and in the Quran that has been sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the descendants, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus. We do not distinguish one from the other. We have submitted (to Allah).” (48) Thus, He made it obligatory for them to call Islam, in which they believe. In the noble word of Surah Yunus, Allah (swt) said: “Moses said to his people: “O my people, if you have truly believed in Allah and are Muslims who have surrendered to His Oneness, then put your trust in Him.”(49) His noble word is just like that. He made them Muslims with what they believed in. Allah the Almighty and Majestic said: “They are extolling to you that they have embraced Islam. Tell them: “Do not exalt your Islam to me. On the contrary, Allah is grateful to you for having helped you to believe, if you are truthful.”(50) Thus, He declared that those who are truthful in their faith are Muslims. Allah Almighty (swt) has mentioned in the Holy Quran that the angels said, "Then We expelled from there (the land of Lot) all the believers, so that we could destroy the remaining unbelievers. But we did not find there any Muslims except a few people of the household."(51) Therefore, Allah Almighty (swt) has described those who are Muslims as believers. In other words, He has declared them to be of the same nature. It has been established that faith and Islam are the same in reality.(52)

127 In a hadith narrated by Hz. Abdullah b. Omar (ra), the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Islam is built upon five things. (These five things) are saying, “There is no god but Allah. Hz. Muhammad is His Messenger”, (reciting the Shahada), performing prayer, giving zakat, performing Hajj and fasting in Ramadan.”(53) This is also called the “five pillars of Islam.” In the hadith, reciting the Shahada, that is, faith, is called Islam.

128 The scholars of Ash'ari have emphasized the fact that Islam is broader than faith and includes faith. The meaning of faith is to confirm by heart. The meaning of Islam is to surrender and submit. It is not possible for a person who definitely confirms the Divine Necessities to be someone other than the one who submits. However, not everyone who submits means confirming. In fact, although the hypocrites appear to be Muslims in appearance, they do not confirm by heart. Ash-Shahristani brought this to the agenda by saying, "The word Islam is a common word used for both believers and hypocrites" (54). The scholars of Ahl as-Sunnah are unanimous in the fact that hypocrites are disbelievers in terms of belief. However, since they verbally confess their belief, they are treated as Muslims in terms of worldly provisions.

Yusuf KERİMOĞLU, Trust and Driving License – Islamic Catechism…

(45) İmam-ı Matûridi-Kitabû't Tevhid-Beirut: 1970, Page: 394.

(46) Nureddin Es Sabuni-Maturidiyye Akaidi-Ank: 1978, Page: 184.

(47) See/ Imam-i Maturidi-Kitabû't Tevhid-Beirut: 1970, Page: 397.

(48) Surah Al-Baqarah: 136.

(49) Surah Yunus: 84.

(50) Surah Al-Hujurat: 17.

(51) Surah Az-Zariyat: 35-36.

(52) İmam-ı Maturidi-Katibû't Tevhid-Beirut: 1970, Page: 397.

(53) Ahmed b. Hanbel-Musnad-Ist: 1401, Cagrı Yay. Vol: 2, Page: 26, 93, 120. Vol: 4, Page: 364, Sahih-i Bukhari, K. Iman B: 1, 3, Sahih-i Muslim B: 5, Sunan-i Nasai-K. Iman/13.

(54) Eş Shahristani-El Milel ve'n Nihal-Beirut: 1395, D. Marife Yay. C: 1, Sh: 40