Does Eemaan Increase and Decrease
Ash Shaykh Al 'Allaamah Muhammad ibn Saaleh Al ‘Uthaymeen
Question: Does Eemaan increase and decrease?
Answer: Indeed Eemaan according to Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah is the Iqraar (firmly establish) with the heart, the saying with the tongue, and actions with the body parts . So it includes these there affairs; the Iqraar with the heart, speech with the tongue and actions with the body parts. So if this is the case then surely it will increase and decrease, and this is because the Iqraar with the heart differs from person to person. To know something by someone telling it you is not like seeing it for yourself, and to know something by one person telling it to you is not the same as knowing it if two people told it to you, and so on.
This is why Ibraheem عليه الصلاة و السلام said:
{And (remember) when Ibraheem said: “My lord show me how you give life to the dead?” He (Allaah) said: “Do you not believe?” He Ibraheem said: "Yes (I believe) but to be stronger in faith.”}
So indeed Eemaan increases in regards to the Iqraar of the heart, its tranquility and its serenity.
One notices this in himself, for when one sits in a gathering that consists of the remembrance of Allaah and a sermon is being delivered mentioning Jannah and the hellfire, his Eemaan will increase to the point where he feels as if he can see them with his eyes. At times when one is inattentive and leaves such a gathering, that surety that he had will decrease in strength in his heart.
Eemaan increases with regards to speech as well. For indeed, the one who mentions Allaah ten times is not like the one who mentions Allaah a hundred times, the second one increases by a lot.
Also the one who practices ‘Ibaadah (actions) in the most perfect manner, his Eemaan will increase more than the one who practices them in a deficient manner.
Likewise knowledge, for indeed if a person practices more good deeds than another, then his Eemaan will increase more than the other person.
The Quraan and the Sunnah establish the increase and decrease of Eemaan, Allaah Tabaarakah wa Ta’aala says:
{And We have not set none but angels as guardians of the fire. And We have fixed their number (19) only as a trial for the disbelievers, in order that the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) may arrive at a certainty [that this Quraan is the truth as it agrees with their books regarding the number [19] which is written in their books] and that the believers may increase in faith.}
He also says:
{And Whenever there comes down a Surah, some of them (hypocrites) say: “Whom from amongst you has had his faith increased by it?” As for those who believe, it has increased their faith, and they rejoice. But as for those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubt, disbelief and hypocrisy), it will add suspicion and doubt to their suspicion, disbelief and doubt: and they die while they are disbelievers.}
In the authentic Hadeeth the Messenger of Allaah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:
“I have never seen anyone with a deficiency of ‘aql (intellect -meaning the witness of two women is equal to the witness of one man. An Nawawee said: meaning they have weak memories) and Deen (religion –meaning they do not pray or fast during their menses) that are more overpowering to men than one of you [women].”
So Eemaan therefore, increases and decreases but what are the reasons for the increase and decrease of Eemaan?
See this link:
http://www.islamicboard.com/basics-i...rease+Decrease