MUSLIM AND MU’MIN

“Verily, the Muslims: men and women, the believers (Mu’min): men and women, the Qanit: men and the women, the men and women who are truthful, the men and the women who are patient, the Khashi`: men and the women, the men and the women who give Sadaqat, the men and the women who fast, the men and the women who guard their chastity and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.”

Surah Al-Ahzab (33:35)

Interpretation of the meaning (Tafsir Ibn Kathir):

“Verily, the Muslims: men and women, the believers (Mu’min): men and women…” indicates that Iman (of Mu’min) is something other than Islam (of Muslim), and that it is more specific.

“the Qanit: men and the women,” Al-Qunut means obedience during quite time. As explained by

“Is one who is (Qanit,) prostrating himself or standing in the middle of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord…” (39:9)

“To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are Uqnuti (Qanitun) to Him.” (30:26)

“O Maryam! “Uqnuti to your Lord and prostrate, and bow with Ar-Raki`in (those who bow).” (3:43)

“And stand before Allah Qanitin” (2: 238).

So, beyond Islam there is a higher level to be reached, which is Iman, and Qunut stems from them both.

“the men and women who are truthful,” – This refers to their speech, for truthfulness is a praiseworthy attribute. Some of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, were never known to have lied even once, neither during Jahiliyyah nor in Islam. Truthfulness is a sign of faith (Iman), just as lying is a sign of hypocrisy.

“the men and the women who are patient,” – This is the attribute of those who are steadfast, which is patience in the face of adversity and knowing that what is decreed will inevitably come to pass. So, they face it with patience and steadfastness. Patience is the most difficult when disaster first strikes, then after that it becomes easier, and this is true steadfastness.

“the Khashi`: men and the women,” – Khushu` means serenity and tranquillity, deliberation and dignity and humility. What motivates a person to be like this is the fear of Allah and the awareness that He is constantly watching.

“the men and the women who give Sadaqat,” – As-Sadaqah (charity) means doing good to people who are in need or who are weak and have no means of earning a living and none to financially support them. They give them from the excess of their wealth in obedience to Allah and as a good deed to His creation.

“the men and the women who fast” – it purifies it and cleanses it of things that are bad in both physical and Shar`i terms. Fasting is also one of the greatest means of overcoming one’s desires.

“and the men and the women who remember Allah much” – an example of a hadith that the Messenger of Allah said: “If a man wakes his wife at night and they pray two Rak`ahs, they will recorded that night as being among the men and the women who remember Allah much.”

“Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.” Here Allah tells us that for all of those mentioned in this Ayah, He has prepared for them forgiveness of their sins and a great reward, meaning, Paradise.

So, beyond Islam there is a higher level to be reached, which is Iman.

The Reason for Revelation:

Imam Ahmad recorded that Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, the wife of the Prophet said, “I said to the Prophet , `Why is it that we are not mentioned in the Qur’an as men are’ Then one day without my realizing it, he was calling from the Minbar and I was combing my hair, so I tied my hair back then I went out to my chamber in my house, and I started listening out, and he was saying from the Minbar: “O people! Verily Allah says: (Verily, the Muslims: men and women, the believers: men and women…)  to the end of the Ayah.” This was also recorded by An-Nasa’i and Ibn Jarir.

Islam means total obedience and submission to Allah, observance of His orders and avoidance of His prohibition; bringing one's likes and dislikes into harmony with the Divine Will.

As for Iman, it is related to heart. It is the belief of the heart in Allah; He is the Lord of the worlds; no one deserves to be worshipped except Him.

Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Islam (means what a Muslim acts) in public and al-Iman is (what one believes) in the heart" . [Reported by Ahmad from Anas Ibn Malik (Radiya Allahu Anhu)]. al-Sheikh Shakir , while commenting on the book of al-Tahawiyah creed, said: 'This Hadith has authentic narration'.

Thus, a person has to know that there is no true Iman without Islam, and vice versa. In other words, belief without action is of no use, nor is action without belief of any value.

Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "al-Iman consists of more than seventy parts, the best of which is the acknowledgement of the fact that "La Ilaha Illa Allah", and the lowest of them is removal of a thing causing harm from a thoroughfare" . [Reported by Imam Muslim ].

 In Sunan Tirmidhi, Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) said:

“The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand Muslims are safe, and the believer is the one with whom the people trust their blood and their wealth.”

In other words; a Mu’min is a level higher than a Muslim.

A Muslim is by definition one who submits his will to Allah and adheres to the principles of Allah’s religion. We therefore believe that all Prophets were by definition Muslim.

When his Lord said to him (Abraham), “Submit”, he said “I have submitted [in Islam] to the Lord of the worlds.” [Quran 2:131]

A Muslim is  the one who accepts Allah as the One and Only God who is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and Final Messenger.

There is also however a difference between a Muslim (One who submits) and a Mu’min (One who believes). As Allah states in the Quran:

“The bedouins say, “We have believed.” Say, “You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Quran 49:14]

To attain the status of a true believer in Islam one must strive to attain true faith. This is exemplified through the Quran and many of the Hadith ( Narrations) of Muhammad (pbuh).

“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely,The ones who establish prayer, and from what We have provided them, they spend. Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.” [Quran 8:2-4]

In the Hadith of Muhammad (pbuh) we also find

“No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

“The most perfect believer in faith is the one who is best in moral character. The best of you are those who are the best to their spouses in manners.” [Al-Tirmidhi 1082].

“A true Muslim is one from [the transgressions of whose tongue and hands, all other Muslims are safe; And a true Mu’min is one from whom people’s lives and wealth are secured;” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

“None of you will truly believe until I am more beloved to him than his father, his son and all of mankind.”  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].