Signs of a weak iman (Faith):
• Committing sins & bad deeds without feeling any guilt.
• Having a hard heart and low or no desire to read the Quran.
• Feeling too lazy or less motivated to do good deeds.
• Having mood swings, such as becoming upset about trivial matters and being irritated and agitated most of the time.
• Hearing verses from the Quran does not affect you, for example, you would feel nothing when Allah warns us of hell punishment.
• Having difficulty remembering Allah and doing zikr.
• Not feeling bad when committing bad deeds.
• Rarely remembering or thinking of the hereafter.
• Advising other people to do good deeds while not practicing them yourself.
• Feeling pleased when things aren't going well for others.
• Making fun of people who commit basic acts of kindness or do simple good deeds.
• Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.
• Lack of a sense of obligation to do something to promote Islam.
• Inability to deal with tragic events and calamities.
• The tendency to argue and debate just for the sake of arguing without any proof or beneficial goal.
• Becoming fascinated and deeply engrossed in dunya (this life) and the material possessions.
• Becoming self-cantered and obsessed with yourself.
Steps Toward Strong Iman
1. Recognize your misdeeds and Repent
Almighty Allah says: "Seek forgiveness of your Lord and then turn to Him in repentance." (11: 3).
" ... and turn you all together in repentance to Allah O believers, that you may be successful" (24:31)
Allah has blessed us with a natural sense of justice as well as the ability to think and make the right decisions. Because of our natural inclination (fitrah), we must all be aware when we are committing a transgression. And if we don't know, there are plenty of resources to help us find out!
Conditions for the acceptance of repentance:
In order to gain forgiveness, the following conditions must be met:
• First: Giving up of the misdeed itself.
• Second: Feeling remorse for what you've done.
• Third: A resolve not to repeat it
• Fourth: Making amends or gaining forgiveness from those who have been wronged.
After repenting the next step is asking Allah in humility, pleading for forgiveness and mercy:
"Surely Allah loves those who turn unto him in repentance..." (2:222)
2. Perform Salah Regularly
The prayer is your daily way of connecting with the Heavens and Earth's creator. A slave's prayer is a sacred act in which he meets with his lord five times a day. It is a direct connection with no intermediaries. It is us standing in front of our lord, asking for his guidance, protection and mercy.
Nothing brings us closer to Allah than when we are in prostration:
“No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].” (96: 19)
For the people who don’t pray:
“Informing us about the inhabitants of Hell, Almighty Allah says "(The people in Hell will be asked "What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say: Indeed we were not of those who prayed." (42: 48)
Make Dua for Allah to help you perform Salah properly
“O my Lord! Make me one who performs As-salaat (Iqaamat as-Salaat) and (also) from my offspring, our Lord! And accept my dua” (14: 40)
3. Reciting & Listening to Quran
The physiological effects of the Quran:
Medical studies have proven that simply hearing the Holy Qur'an recited has a positive physiological effect on our bodies. According to research, the Qur'an has healing properties for the body, mind, and soul.
Reflecting upon the verses of the Quran:
So the best approach to increase our iman is to recite the Qur'an and ponder, reflect, and think about its verses, as well as to put into practice whatsoever Allah has decreed in the Qur'an. We should keep studying the verses of Quran continuously, and ask Allah guidance to help us understand Quran more every day.
"Those to whom We gave the book (the Qur’an) recite it as it should be recited, they are the ones that believe therein. And who disbelieves in it (the Qur’an), those are the losers." (1: 121)
4. Practicing Al-Zikr (Remembrance of Allah)
“When the signs of the Gracious Allah are recited unto them, they fall down, prostrating themselves before Allah weeping.” (19:59)
Iman place is in the heart. As a result, the best method to increase our iman is to provide the heart with what it requires at all times. So, what does our heart require? What is it yearning for? What is the heart's food? It is Allah's remembrance (Zikr Allah).
"…Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (13:28)
Those who remember Allah have good hearts
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The similitude of one who remembers his Lord and one who does not remember Him, is like that of the living and the dead.''.
5. Voluntary Fasting
Fasting has numerous physical and spiritual advantages. It is an act of surrender, love, and obedience to Allah. This obedience or submission and commitment are founded on a sincere desire to seek Allah's favor and avoid His wrath. Fasting develops the believer's taqwa (being mindful of Allah at all times). If a person intentionally abstains from permissible food and conjugal relations during the fasting period, he or she is more likely to abstain from the unlawful and misdeeds.
Fasting boosts sincerity (Ikhlaas):
Fasting also teaches the believer to be sincere. In contrast to other forms of worship, it is totally focused on self-control. Others can never know for certain whether the person is fasting or pretending to fast [he might be eating or drinking in secret].
6. Doing more Good deeds
It's a simple equation: doing more good deeds and activities increases our Iman (faith), whereas doing bad deeds decreases it.
So, in order to enhance our Iman on a daily basis, we must: Increase our good deeds and improve our behavior, and prevent ourselves from committing sins, especially the major ones, which have a detrimental influence on one's level of Iman.
The best deeds are those done consistently:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best deeds are those we are consistent with, even if they are small deeds.”
Allah has told us in numerous verses in Quran, that Iman and good deeds are the way to be among the people of Paradise.
“And those who believe and do good works: such are rightful owners of the Paradise. They will abide therein eternally.” (1: 82)
7. Remembering death and the Hereafter
"Every soul shall taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and good, and to Us you will return." (21: 35)
The realization that death can strike at any time should jolt us into action. It should make us realize that we don't have time to waste because each second could be our last. As a result, we must prepare for our deaths RIGHT NOW and recognize that we are living on borrowed time. This existence is only a journey till we arrive at our destination.
8. Acquiring knowledge
One of the most important components in increasing one's iman is knowledge. It brings about clarity in the heart, assurance in the mind, and soul serenity. Almighty Allah has said:
“It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah.” (35: 28)
Seeking knowledge is a religious responsibility that is necessary for all Muslims, male and female. READ! (Iqra) was the first word revealed in the Qur'an. Learn everything you can! Become educated! Be well-informed.
9. Making Dua (Supplication)
Allah, indeed, responds to every Dua:
Dua is defined as a direct supplication, plea, or prayer made to Allah. However, many of us are careless when it comes to making Dua. We make excuses not to make Dua when we should be turning to Allah. When we do make Dua, we sometimes become impatient and lose hope thinking Allah did not respond to our Dua.
"When My servants question thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls upon Me" (2: 186)
"Is not He (best) who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and who relieves its suffering." (27: 62)
In fact, it is disliked by Allah never to make Dua:
" And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you.". Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell, disgraced.” (40: 60)
10. Putting your trust in Allah
“They only are the (true) believers whose hearts feel fear when Allah is mentioned, and when the revelations of Allah are recited unto them they increase their faith, and who trust in their Lord.” (8: 2)
Allah Almighty makes it a point to let us know that whatever is meant for us cannot miss us, and whatever misses us was never meant for us in the first place. Always do your best, trust in God and submit to Him.
