The weakness of Imaan is from the most dangerous factors which diverts the Amaanah from being carried and undertaken:
One of the matters that prevents following this path and carrying the Amaanah, and a cause for justifying deviation and distortion, is the weakness in Imaan which makes the heart inherit deviation and disease, whilst making the area of Imaan insecure which in turn leads to following desires and Dalaal (misguidance), and refuge is sought in Allah from that.
The weakness in Imaan is reflected in: When the Imaan (belief) in every matter and affair resting in the hand of Allah, that He Ta’Aalaa is the one who gives life and death, distributes Rizq to whom He wishes and how he wishes, that Allah alone who possesses the benefit and the harm, that He (swt) alone brings ‘Izza and brings Dhull (disgrace), that the Nasr (victory) comes from Him alone and the Imaan that:
No calamity happens on the earth or in yourselves except that it is inscribed in the Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah. This is so that you do not despair over what has eluded you and do not exult [in pride] over what He has given you (Al-Hadeed 22-23).
The weakness in Imaan is when the Imaan in all of these matters is made into mere words that are repeated by the tongue or expressed upon the Minbars and in Islamic lessons, however despite that they do not manifest in the actions and in the positions and stances at the times of hardship, severities and the times of trials and tests. It is misguidance and deviation from the truth that makes this matter as a whole no more than studies of Kalaam (philosophical), studies in Siffaat (attributes) and the following of Al-Mutashaabihaat (the ambiguous matters). They are not true, real and truthful concepts that make clear and manifest the positions of Imaan within the actions.
The concepts which guide to the presence of Imaan in that Allah is Al-Akbar (the greatest), that He is Al-Qadeer (capable over all matters) and that He (swt) is with and on the side of those who have believed. For this reason we see the collapse at the time of the Ibtilaa’ (trial and test) and indeed even before the occurrence of the Ibtilaa’, from those who claim to be experts in the Aqeedah and the explanation of its meanings. This is because they have transformed the concepts of the ‘Aqeedah and Imaan in to intellectual and logical discussions. Even though the tongue has pronounced it or the heart venerated it, it has nevertheless not been affirmed by the action. It was mentioned in an Athar (report): ‘Imaan is that which is revered in the heart and affirmed in the action’. As such we see those claiming to be upon this Manhaj high upon the Minbars of the rulers, associated with Fataawa (verdicts/rulings) which please the rulers and their masters whilst angering Allah (swt), distorting the Ahkaam AshShar’iyah, interpreting the texts to serve them and changing their positions in accordance to the demands of the systems of Kufr and those who are behind these systems from amongst the Shayaateen of men and Jinn. They therefore mislead the Muslims and seduce them away from the correct work that works for the removal of Kufr and its rulers.
Allah (swt) said:
It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad (saw)) the Book (this Quran).
In it are Verses that are entirely clear (Muhkam), they are the foundations of the Book and others not entirely clear (Mutashaabih). So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord." And none receive admonition except men of understanding (Aali ‘Imraan 7).
It is not strange to find the proponents and followers of this Manhaj (methodology) not remaining firm upon the speech and acts of the Haqq when this stance requires patience and perseverance in the face of trials or when the desires and the sacrificing of positions and minbars clash with it.
Weakness in Imaan represents a sickness within the heart that diverts from the Imaan (belief) that all matters rest in the hand of Allah alone, that He is An-Naaf’i (the one who benefits) alone, that harm lies in His hand alone and it represents a weakness of Imaan in respect to Al-Qadaa’ Wa-l- Qadr. The one who is sick regards his enemy to be great whilst forgetting that Allah is greater and the greatest. He sees that the path towards Allah is associated with dangers and risks whilst forgetting that he was created for the purpose of worshiping Allah Ta’Aalaa and that he is tested and that he must succeed in his examination by remaining firm in his stance and action. He forgets that Imaan means that he must turn to Allah ‘Azza Wa Jalla so that Allah will turn towards him. The Aayaat of the Qur’aan, the Sunnah of the Nabi (saw) and the stories of the Anbiyaa’ and their lives, in the perspective of those who are sick, only represent mere Aayaat that are recited and memorised without Tadabbur (reflection), stories that are told and repeated without due consideration, and narrations that are presented and lectured about but not followed. If dangers are threatened and a trial or test looms or if thought was given to his Rizq, security and pleasures of the Dunyaa and their potential collapse, the justifications (and excuses)
would then pile up and consecutive digressions and stand downs would occur. In contrast the material gains that are of the foremost attention are accumulated and even if this was only achievable by following a path and making efforts which pleased the disbelievers at the expense of following the commands and prohibitions of Allah (swt).
Allah (swt) said:
O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa' (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but Awliyaa' to one another. And if any amongst you takes them as Awliyaa', then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allah guides not those people who are the Zhaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers and unjust). And you see those in whose hearts there is a disease (of hypocrisy), they hurry to their friendship, saying: "We fear lest some misfortune of a disaster may befall us." Perhaps Allah may bring a victory or a decision according to His Will. Then they will become regretful for what they have been keeping as a secret in themselves (Al-Maa’idah 51-52).
For this reason it is not surprising for this group to diverge away from the correct practical path, the Shar’iy path, and to commit bad acts and invent justifications to cover their pretence. It is not strange for those with weak Imaan who have a deviation in their hearts or sickness to claim that all that they desire is reform and that they are from amongst the Naasiheen (sincere advisors). After that they proceed upon paths and methodologies for the sake of this reform and change, paths anyone with a sound mind or the one whose good outweighs his bad or the one who knows the Qadar of Allah which his Imaan has affirmed, would be embarrassed to speak about. We therefore see and hear the most trivial and frivolous proposals and arguments like the call for conciliation with the Rulers. This is in addition to beautifying the images of the rulers, justifying their stances and attempting to apply the Shar’iyah upon their actions.
They also utilise claims of weakness, necessity (Daroorah) and protecting the Ummah, whilst the issue has nothing to do with that.
It is rather only whims and grasping on to the debris of this Dunyaa and holding on to the desires. They therefore expose themselves whilst they are unaware of it.
Allah (swt) said:
Have you (O Muhammad SAW) seen him who has taken as his Ilaah (god) his own desire? Would you then be a Wakeel (a disposer of his affairs or a watcher)
over him. Or do you think that most of them hear or reason? They are not except like livestock. Rather, they are [even] more astray in [their] way (Al-Furqaan 43-44).
And He (swt) said:
Have you seen him who takes his own lust (vain desires) as his Ilaah (god), and Allah knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover over his sight. Who then will guide him after Allah? Will you not then remember (and take heed)? (Al-Jaathiyyah 23)
My dear brother reader, carrying the Amaanah (trust) means following the path of the Anbiyaa’ and their believing followers. It is the path of trials, tests, examinations, screening the believers and distinguishing the Khabeeth (impure and bad) from the Tayyib (pure and good). Proceeding upon this path requires and demands the sincere and true Imaan in Allah and all that Allah Ta’Aalaa has informed of. It demands the fear of Allah and to be fearful of Him alone whilst not fearing other than Him Subhaanahu Wa Ta’Aalaa. It requires Imaan in Al-Qadaa and Al-Qadar, that their good and their bad are from Allah alone, and that the one who possesses this Imaan which is accompanied by the action is from the Awliyaa’ of Allah.
Allah (swt) said:
No doubt! Verily, the Awliyaa' of Allah no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve (Younus 62).
And that the possessors of this Imaan are those who are granted victory and succession to the authority upon the earth.
Allah (swt) says:
Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth (i.e. Day of Resurrection) (Ghaafir 51).
And:
Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). (An-Noor 55).
Indeed the dislocation of the heart in the face of fears, fear from what lies in wait in the Dunyaa, being terrified and over cautious in respect to treading the path towards Allah’s pleasure (swt), emanates from a fear brought by Shaytaan. It represents the result of following his footsteps and this in itself represents weakness in Imaan.
Allah (swt) states:
It is only Shaitan that suggests to you the fear of his Awliyaa' (supporters) so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers (Aali ‘Imraan 175).
And He Ta’Aalaa said:
Do you fear them for Allah is more worthy of being feared if you are truly believers (At-Taubah 13).
And Allah (swt) has made the victory the ally of the patient and persevering believers. Security and tranquillity belongs to them and to their hearts in every circumstance and in every time.
Allah (swt) says:
And it was incumbent upon us to support the believers (Ar-Room 47)
And He (swt) said:
It is those who believe and confuse not their belief with Zhulm (transgression) for them there is security and they are the guided (Al-An’aam 82).
And:
O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqan a criterion [(to judge between right and wrong), or (Makhraj i.e. making a way for you to get out from every difficulty)], and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you, and Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty (Al-Anfaal 29).
And:
And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good (Al-Ankaboot 69).
And He (swt) said:
But honour (might, power and glory) belong to Allah, His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not (Al-Munaafiqoon 8).
And:
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with misery and harm and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with Him said: "When (will come) the help of Allah?" Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near! (Al-Baqarah 214).
And:
Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked/bad (Khabeeth) from the good (Tayyib) (Aali ‘Imraan 179).
And:
You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews and Christians) and from those who ascribe partners to Allah, but if you persevere patiently, and become AlMuttaqoon then verily that will be from the great matters (Aali ‘Imraan 186).
And He (swt said:
Alif-Laam-Meem. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say:
"We believe" and will not be tested. And we indeed tested those who were before them and Allah will certainly make known those who are true, and will certainly make known those who are liars ().
It is therefore only upon the human being to act in obedience to Allah (swt) and to avoid disobedience to Him Ta’Aalaa whilst comprehending the Sunan (ways) of Allah in respect to His creations.
He remains determined with firm resolve to establish the rule of Allah upon himself and upon the earth and remains firm in the face of hardship and in times of ease and affluence. He knows that Allah will surely test him and observe him, and as such he must not let Allah witness from him except that which he has been commanded with. Otherwise he will go astray; even if he was from those who possessed knowledge and Shaytaan would have then seduced him and led him astray. And how many lessons for contemplation and taking note have been told to us in the Qur’aan Al-Kareem in the Qisas (stories) of the of the Nabiyyeen (Prophets) and the news of those who passed by before us, informing us that the good end belongs to the Muttaqeen (those who fear and obey Allah Ta’Aalaa).
Allah (swt) said:
Indeed their stories provide a lesson for those of understanding ((Yousuf 111).
Allah (swt) said:
Verily, Fir'aun (Pharaoh) was arrogant in the land and made its people into groupings, weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them, killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, He was of the Mufsidoon (i.e. those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors, tyrants, etc.). And we wished to do a favour to those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and to make them rulers and to make them the inheritors (of the authority). And to establish them in the land, and we let Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and Haamaan and their hosts receive from them that which they had been warned of (Al-Qasas 4-6).
And He Ta’Aalaa said:
And indeed we have written in the Zaboor (Psalms) after Adh-Dhikr (in the Lawh Al-Mahfoozh) that my righteous slaves shall inherit the land (AlAnbiyaa’ 105).
And He (swt) said:
And remember when you were few and were reckoned weak in the land and were afraid that men might kidnap you. But He provided a safe place for you, strengthened you with his help, and provided you with good things so that you might be grateful (Al-Anfaal 26).
Indeed Allah (swt) has reassured his believing Awliyaa’ and has promised them the Wa’d ul-Haqq (true promise):
Say (O Muhammad): "O Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, You give the Kingdom (authority) to whom You will, and You take the Kingdom from whom You will, and You honour whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will.
In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do All things (Aali ‘Imraan 26).
And He (swt) said:
Say: Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is Our Mawlaa (Lord, Helper and Protector. and in Allah let the believers put their trust (At-Taubah 51).
And:
And invoke not besides Allah, any that will neither profit you, nor hurt you, but if you did so, you shall certainly be one of the Zhalimoon (transgressors). And if Allah touches you with harm, there is none who can remove it but He. And if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel his favour. He causes it to reach whomsoever of his slaves He wills and He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful ().
My believing brother, my Muslim brother: Renew your Imaan and purify your heart from disease, aversion and deficiency in Imaan.
Affirm your Imaan by the righteous action and the firm stance that is pleasing to Allah ‘Azza Wa Jalla. Join with the believers working to establish the Hukm of Allah (swt) upon the earth and make your Nafs patient in your work with them. Know that your Ajal (lifespan)
has been written, your Rizq (provision) has been divided and whatever Allah has written to happen to you will happen to you whether this is good or bad and whatever has not been written to happen to you will never happen to you and even if all of Jinn and mankind were to gather together. Whatever is for you or against you is that which Allah possesses and if all of the people upon the face of the earth were to gather together upon a single matter they would have no power over it. The issue rests alone upon your own actions; they can either be for you (and your benefit) or against you.
And Say: Act (work)! Allah will see your work (what you have done), and (so will) his Messenger and the believers. And you will (then) be brought back to the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen and then He will inform you of what you had been doing (At-Taubah 105).
Therefore make yourself comprehend this issue fully and join with the believers working to establish the Khilafah and to bear witness over mankind by carrying the Da’wah to them. Indeed the victory is coming, the Deen of Haqq will prevail and Allah’s affair will dominate:
Allah (swt) said:
He it is who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the Deen of Haqq (truth) to make it prevail over all other Deens and even if the Mushrikeen (polytheists, disbelievers) detest it (At-Taubah 33, As-Saff 9).
And He Ta’Aalaa said:
Allah as ordained that I and My Messengers will definitely prevail, Verily Allah is Qawiyy ‘Azeez (Al-Mujaadalah 21).
And Allah (swt) said:
And the good end belongs to the Muttaqeen (those who fear Allah and obey Him) Al-‘Aaraaf 128, Al-Qasas 83).
As for the enemies of Allah’s Deen; the disbelievers, their agents, henchmen, spies and intelligence agencies, then they will all surely be defeated.
Allah (swt) says:
Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (men) from the path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcome and those who have disbelieved will be gathered in Hell (Al-Anfaal 36).
And He (swt) said:
Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah He will render their deeds worthless (Muhammad 1).
And He Ta’Aalaa said:
The likeness of those who take Awliyaâ' (protectors and helpers) other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider, who builds (for itself) a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spider's house; if they but knew (Al-‘Ankaboot 41).
Patiently persevere my Muslim brother:
Be Patient for verily the promise of Allah is Al-Haqq (the truth) (Ghaafir 55).
And determine within yourself a firm position and stance, and be truthful to yourself in respect to it and be truthful and sincere to Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’Aalaa:
Verily, My Walî (Protector, Supporter, and helper, etc.) is Allah who has revealed the Book (the Qur'aan), and He protects (supports and helps) the righteous. And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot support you nor can they support themselves (Al-A’araaf 196-197)
Reference: Taghyeer (change) - Mahmoud Abdul-Kareem Hasan