What Faith Is Accepted?
The Holy Book points out seven features for a faith that is valued and accepted by God.
The features are as follows:
1- Faith that is accompanied by reasoning and logic. The Quran frequently asks its opponents for reason and logic: “Give us some clear proof.” (Verse 10 of Surah Ibrahim)
2- Faith accompanied by action. In many verses of the Quran that talk about believers and people of faith, there is also talk of righteous deeds. The phrase Amilu Al-Salihat (righteous deeds) that is mentioned in these verses refers to all good deeds. So all, not some, deeds of the people of faith should be righteous deeds
3- Unchanging faith. The Holy Quran praises believers who are steadfast in their faith and vows that they will be awarded paradise and its blessings:
“To those who have said, ‘God is our Lord,’ and who have remained steadfast to their belief, the angels will descend saying, ‘Do not be afraid or grieved. Receive the glad news of the Paradise which was promised to you.’” (Verse 30 of Surah Fussilat)
4- Full faith. According to a Hadith, faith has ten degrees and, naturally, every believers reaches a certain level of faith based on his beliefs and his deeds.
Someone came to Imam Sadiq (AS), saying the people of a certain region have no faith. Imam (AS) told him that faith has ten degrees and that some have a higher level of faith while others are at lower levels.
According to a Hadith, if you want to assess someone’s faith, see for how much money he will commit a sin. Imam Ali (AS), the Commander of the Faithful, said he would not do injustice even to an ant if he is given all the universe. That is the level of Imam Ali’s (AS) faith, which is higher than the universe.
In the Makarim al-Akhlaq Supplication we read: O God! Bring my faith to the highest level.
5- Pure faith. The importance and value of our faith lie in the purity of our faith and intention. The more pure they are, the more accepted our faith will be.
The Quran lauds those who have faith and do not stain it with injustice: “Those who have accepted the faith and have kept it pure from injustice, have achieved security and guidance.” (Verse 82 of Surah Al-Anaam)
6-Faith based on free will and awareness. Having doubts, regrets, and criticisms shows the existence of human’s free will. That faith is valuable which is based on awareness and is chosen with free will and without any compulsion. God says in Verse 256 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “There is no compulsion in religion.”
7- Faith accompanied by contemplation. From the viewpoint of the Quran, faith is valuable when it is based on contemplation and reflection on creation. Verse 191 of Surah Al Imran highlights such faith: “Those who remember Allah when standing, sitting, and on their sides, and contemplate upon the creation of the heavens and the earth (saying:) ‘Lord, You have not created these in falsehood. Exaltations to You! Guard us against the punishment of the Fire.’”
