In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
Introduction
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you!
There are many verses and quotations within the Abrahamic Prophetic tradition that describe various aspects of faith. I have gathered some from the Qur’an and Bible in this work as a study tool for the believers; as a reminder to the faithful; and God willing, an inspiration to the questioning. I have found that life’s lessons, challenges and tests are much easier to face and overcome when I’ve been empowered with the enlightenment and encouragement of the scripture.
In today’s fast-paced society we as believers often do not have the time or unfortunately, the discipline to focus on our religion. We save reading the Qur’an to the month of Ramadan or reading the Bible to the passage the Pastor selects for us during the Sunday Sermon, yet life’s challenges are becoming more complex, necessitating a more complete understanding of how we are supposed to lead our lives.
As believers, faith is our foundation. We cannot say we believe in something without implying that we have faith in that same something. There is a saying in the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which states in Sahih Al Bukari Volume 1, Book, 2, Number 47, “Narrated Abu Huraira: One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, “What is faith?” Allah’s Apostle replied, “Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, the meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection.” This gives a clear explanation of what faith is to Muslims and therefore helps us to lay a strong foundation of faith in our lives.
This is important to understand and we should know what faith is according to the scriptures and wisdom of the Prophets (peace be upon them) so that we can develop an inner testimony of our faith and understand how faith can and should be implemented in our daily lives.
For example, the Messiah Jesus (peace be upon him) has been quoted as having said in the Bible, Matthew 21:21-22 “Verily I say unto you, if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
This implies that faith, which radiates from the unseen, can potentially affect the seen material world and can be applied to affect change in our daily lives. This is important to know for ourselves as believers because no matter how much our Imam or Pastor teaches us or wants to help us; we ultimately have to live our lives for ourselves and we will each stand alone on Judgment Day.
There is another saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that details how we can attain faith on a fundamental level and I will end on this note. Sahih Al Bukari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 15 says, “Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith:
1. The one to whom Allah and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else.
2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake.
3. Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire."
We can all attain the sweetness of faith and experience the peace and security that faith can bring to our lives and I hope this compilation will be of benefit to all that read it. I have also included passages that have been an inspiration to me and that have helped to keep me motivated in the search for truth. I pray that they also will be of benefit. As my husband and Imam has said, “As we learn in faith we grow in God.”
May your faith be increased and may you witness more of God and His will for your life, amin.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya (This term "Haya" covers a large number of concepts which are to be taken together; amongst them are self respect, modesty, bashfulness, and scruple, etc.) is a part of faith."
Volume 1, Book 2, Number 8
Holy Qur’an - Faith
The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from His Lord, as do the men of faith. Each (one of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His Messengers. “We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His Messengers.” And they say: “We hear, and we obey: (wee seek) Thy forgiveness, Our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys.”
Surah 2:285
So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: for you must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith.
Surah 3:139
Men said to them: “A great army is gathering against you, so fear them”: but it (only) increased their Faith; they said: “For us Allah sufficeth, and He is the best disposer of affairs.”
Surah 3:173
But no, by the Lord, they can have no real faith, until they make ye judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against thy decision, but accept them with the fullest conviction.
Surah 4:65
“And behold! I inspired the Disciples to have faith in me and Mine Messengers; they said, “We have faith, and do thou bear witness that we bow to Allah as Muslims.”
Surah 5:111
Those who believe and do not obscure their faith by wrongdoing, shall certainly earn salvation, for they have found the right path.
Surah 6:83
For Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His Signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust in their Lord;
Surah 8:2
O ye who believe! Take not for protectors your fathers and your brothers if they love infidelity above Faith: if any of you do so, they do wrong.
Surah 9:23
Whenever there cometh down a Surah, some of them say, “Which of you has had his faith increased by it? Yea, those who believe – their faith is increased, and they do rejoice.”
Surah 9:124
Those who believe, and work righteousness – their Lord will guide them because of their Faith: beneath them will flow rivers in Gardens of Bliss.
Surah 10:9
Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, and life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.
Surah 16:97
Anyone who, after accepting Faith in Allah, utters unbelief, except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith – but such as open their breast to unbelief – on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.
Surah 16:106
So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah’s handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.
Surah 30:30
When the Believers saw the Confederate forces they said: “This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger told us what was true.” And it only added to their faith and their zeal in obedience.
Surah 33:22
Ha Mim. By the Book that makes things clear – We sent it down during a blessed night: for We (ever) wish to warn (against Evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom, by command, from Our Presence, for We (ever) send (revelations), as a Mercy from thy Lord: for He hears and knows (all things); the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all between them, if ye (but) have an assured faith.
Surah 44:1-7
These are clear evidences to men, and a Guidance and Mercy to those of assured Faith.
Surah 45:20
It is He who sent down Tranquility into the hearts of the Believers, that they may add Faith to their Faith – for to Allah belong the Forces of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.
Surah 48:4
The desert Arabs say, “We believe.” Say, “Ye have no faith; but ye only say, ‘We have submitted our wills to Allah,’ for not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah 49:14
They impress on thee as a favor that they have embraced Islam. Say, “Count not your Islam as a favor upon me: nay, Allah has conferred a favor upon you that He guided you to the faith, if ye be true and sincere.
Surah 49:17
And those who believe and whose families follow them in Faith – to them shall we join their families: nor shall We deprive them (of the fruit) of aught of their works: (yet) is each individual in pledge for his deeds.
Surah 52:21
What cause have ye why ye should not believe in Allah? And the Messenger invites you to believe in your Lord, and has indeed taken your covenant, if ye are men of faith.
Surah 57:8
Thou wilt not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last day, loving those who resist Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers or their kindred. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell (therein) forever. Allah will be pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the party of Allah. Truly it is the party of Allah that will achieve Felicity.
Surah 58:22
And those who came after them say: “Our Lord! Forgive us, and our brethren who came before us into the Faith, and leave not, in our hearts, rancor (or sense of injury) against those who have believed. Our lord! Thou art indeed Full of Kindness, Most Merciful.”
Surah 59:10
Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god- Who knows (all things) both secret and open; He. Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god- The Sovereign, The Holy One, The Source of Peace (and Perfection), The Guardian of Faith, The Preserver of Safety, The Exalted in Might, The Irresistible, The Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him. He is Allah, the Creator, The Evolver, The Bestower of Forms (Or Colors). To Him belong The Most beautiful names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare His praises and Glory; and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Surah 59:22-24
O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: Allah knows best as to their Faith: if ye ascertain that they are Believers, then send them not back to the Unbelievers.
Surah 60:10
Has not the story reached you, of those who rejected Faith aforetime? So they tasted the evil result of their conduct; and they had a grievous Penalty. That was because there came to them messengers with Clear Signs, but they said: "Shall (mere) human beings direct us?" So they rejected (the Message) and turned away. But Allah can do without (them): and Allah is free of all needs, worthy of all praise.
Surah 64:5-6
But those who reject Faith and treat Our Signs as falsehoods, they will be Companions of the Fire, to dwell therein for aye: and evil is that Goal.
Surah 64:10
And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for Unbelievers,- in order that the People of the Book may arrive at certainty, and the Believers may increase in Faith,- and that no doubts may be left for the People of the Book and the Believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the Unbelievers may say, "What symbol doth Allah intend by this?" Thus doth Allah leave to stray whom He pleaseth, and guide whom He pleaseth: and none can know the forces of thy Lord, except He and this is no other than a warning to mankind.
Surah 74:31
Those who have faith and do righteous deeds,- they are the best of creatures.
Surah 98:7
By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),
Verily Man is in loss,
Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.
Surah 103
Inspiration
Quran, Surah 2:21-22 Mankind Created to Become Righteous
O you people! Adore your Guardian Lord, Who created you and those who came before you, that you may become righteous.
Quran, Surah 2:148 Strive
To each is a goal to which Allah turns him; then strive together as in a race towards all that is good. Wheresoever you are, Allah will bring you together. For Allah has power over all things.
Quran, Surah 2:153 Perseverance and Prayer
O you who believe! Seek help with patient Perseverance and Prayer: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.
Quran, Surah 2:155-157 Perseverance and Guidance
Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss of goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give Glad tidings to those who patiently persevere – who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return”-they are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.
Quran, Surah 2:177 Righteousness defined
It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West; But it is righteousness-to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and to practice regular charity, to fulfill the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain or suffering and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.
Quran, Surah 2:179 Law and Equality
In the Law of Equality there is saving of Life to you, o you men of understanding; that you may restrain yourselves.
“And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6
Holy Bible - Faith
"Say to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that men commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person is guilty, he shall confess his sin which he has committed; and he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it, and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.
Numbers 5:6-7
I kept my faith, even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted";
Psalm 116:10
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps faith may enter in. Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. Trust in the LORD for ever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:1-4
Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.
Habakkuk 2:4
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.
Matthew 23:23
Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:22
The apostles said to the Lord, “increase our faith!” The lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it would obey you.”
Luke 17:5
“And will not God grant justice to the chosen ones who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long in helping them? I tell you, He will quickly grant justice to them. And yet when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Luke 18:7-8
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren."
Luke 22:31-32
And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Acts 31:16
And when they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Acts 14:27
‘But rise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and bear witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles--to whom I send you to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Acts 26:16-18
For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. "For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls.
Hebrews 10:36-39
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:2-3
Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?
James 2:5
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
James 2:24
And the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
James 5:15
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2 Peter 1:3-7
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.
1 John 5:3-4
Beloved, being very eager to write to you of our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Jude 1:3
But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:20-21
Inspiration
Deuteronomy 6:18 Do What is Right and Good
And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers, to cast out all your enemies from before you, as the Lord has spoken.
Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.
Proverbs 3:13-14 Happiness and Wisdom
Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold.
Proverbs 4: 20-26 Healing to all their Flesh
My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
Proverbs 7:4 Wisdom as Sister
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, that they may keep you from the loose woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.
Proverbs 11:12-14 Where there is no Guidance a nation Falls
Whoever belittles another lacks sense, but an intelligent person remains silent. A gossip goes about telling secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence. Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:16 A Gracious Woman
A gracious woman gets honor, but she who hates virtue is covered with shame.
Proverbs 17:22 A Cheerful Heart
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 A Season and Time for Every Purpose
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 The Gift of God
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor – it is the gift of God.
Song of Solomon 8:7 Love
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly scorned.
Matthew 5:3-20 Blessedness of the Believers
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
James 1:27 Religion that is Pure
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: the care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
