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The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once said, "There are three characteristics, that if a person has, they have tasted the sweetness of Iman."

In Islam, there is a distinction between Islam—the outward practice of faith—and Iman, the internal state that gives meaning to those practices.

Think of Islam as the horizontal dimension, the structure that holds the community together with its social and moral rules.

But Iman is the vertical dimension, a direct line between the individual and Allah.

This is where the heart lies, where the "why" of our actions comes into play.

When we move from simply doing acts of worship to understanding why we do them, we move from the horizontal to the vertical, from external practice to internal connection.

It’s not just about observing the rules; it’s about the love and devotion to Allah that make those rules meaningful.

Faith as Security

The Arabic root of the word Iman—Aleph-Meem-Noon (A-M-N)—means "to be safe or secure."

Faith, in its essence, is an anchor, a source of stability for the soul.

Without faith, the human spirit experiences turbulence and despair.

Much like a person heading into surgery who has faith in their doctor to guide them through the process, faith in Allah brings a deep sense of security.

When we lack this faith, life’s challenges become unbearable, leaving us in a state of constant anxiety.

Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, said

"Suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning."

There’s a powerful analogy drawn from a study involving rats placed in water.

Initially, the rats swam until they drowned.

But when they were rescued just before drowning, then put back in the water, they swam much longer.

Why?

Because even a rat, with its limited cognitive abilities, had a sense of hope after being rescued. It knew there was a chance for survival.

If even a small creature can cling to hope, how much more does the human heart—rooted in faith—endure with the hope that Allah will guide us through life’s challenges?

Three Signs of the Sweetness of Faith

The Prophet ﷺ described three signs that indicate a person has tasted the sweetness of Iman. These signs show us that faith is not merely about actions; it’s a transformative experience that reshapes the way we live, love, and perceive the world.

1. Loving for the Sake of Allah

The first sign of tasting the sweetness of faith is loving someone purely for the sake of Allah.

This kind of love is rare and profound because it’s not based on worldly benefits or personal gain.

Instead, it’s built on a shared commitment to worship Allah.

When you love someone because they bring you closer to your Creator, your relationship is elevated beyond the temporary ties of this world. It becomes a bond that transcends time and space, rooted in the eternal.

2. Prioritizing Allah and His Messenger Above All Else

The second sign is that Allah and His Messenger ﷺ become more beloved to you than anything else.

This doesn’t mean that you stop loving your family, friends, or the things you enjoy, but it means that your love for Allah takes precedence.

Your heart becomes aligned with the divine will, and you begin to see the world through the lens of your faith.

Material wealth, status, and worldly desires no longer hold sway over you.

The love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ defines your life, and you find peace in that submission.

3. Hating to Return to Disbelief

The final sign is that a person hates the idea of returning to disbelief more than being thrown into a fire.

In Islam fire is considered the worst kind of punishment and pain to endure.

This speaks to the deep connection that faith creates within the soul.

Once you’ve tasted the sweetness of faith, losing it becomes the greatest fear.

It’s not just about avoiding punishment; it’s about preserving that relationship with Allah at all costs.

The very thought of returning to a state of ignorance and separation from Allah is unbearable to those who have embraced faith.

Iman as an Anchor in Times of Turbulence

Faith is not just a belief; it’s the foundation that keeps us steady in life's trials.

Life’s hardships can overwhelm us without faith, leading to despair and hopelessness.

But when Iman takes root in the heart, it brings a sense of peace and resilience.

This is the sweetness of faith—the ability to endure life’s challenges with the certainty that Allah is always in control.

Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) once said, “We are living in such happiness and sweetness that if the kings knew of it, they would come after us with armies to take it from our hearts.” 

Iman's sweetness is so precious and profound that no material wealth or worldly power can match it.

It’s a treasure that lies deep within the believer’s heart, guiding them through life’s ups and downs.