What is Faith?

Only the Muslim who is true to his faith can enter Paradise Abu Hurayrah tells the story of a man who fought with all his strength in the Battle of Khaybar. The news spread that he had died on the field of battle and people began to extol his bravery. They were agreed that he must surely have attained the status of martyrdom. When the Prophet heard what the people were saying, he said, “He is destined for the Fire.” But the daredevil valour of this man caused people to cast doubt upon the words of the Prophet, so the latter bade them go and find out how he had died. It turned out that he had fallen down wounded and lay in that state until nightfall, when unable to bear the pain of his wounds, he killed himself. Far from being a case of martyrdom, his had been a case of suicide. When the Prophet was informed of the outcome of their investigations, he said, “I bear witness that I am God’s servant and His Messenger.” He then bade Bilal go and tell the people that only a Muslim who was true to his faith would enter Paradise; but that God also aided the cause of His religion through sinners. (AL-BUKHARI, SAHIH)