What is Faith?

The joys of a pious household Miqdad, explaining the state of affairs in the Prophet’s time, told of how, in a single household, there would be some who accepted Islam and some who did not. A believer would see his father, his son or his brother in a state of faithlessness and this would cause him great distress. With his own heart having been opened to faith by God, he felt certain that were his kith and kin to remain in a state of unbelief, they would be doomed to Hell-fire. It, therefore, gave no joy to believers to see certain of their relatives remain unbelievers. It was with reference to this predicament that the following verse of the Qur’an was revealed: “Lord give us joy in our wives and children, and make us an example to those who fear you.” (25:74) (HILYAT AL-AULIYA)