The Faith in My Heart Has Wilted

Praise be to Allaah.  

1 – I advise you to read the Qur’aan a great deal, and listen to recitations of Qur’aan and ponder the meanings of what you read and what you hear as much as you can. Whatever you cannot understand, ask the people of knowledge in your country or write to other scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah (Sunnis). 

If you read a tafseer (commentary) on what you read, this will help you to ponder the meanings. One of the best and most concise Tafseers is Tafseer al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him).

2 – You should remember Allaah a great deal (dhikr), by reciting the dhikrs narrated in the saheeh ahaadeeth (authentic narrations)such as Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (there is no god but Allaah), Subhaan Allaah wa’l-hamdu Lillaah wa laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa Allaahu akbar (Glory be to Allaah, praise be to Allaah, there is no god but Allaah, and Allaah is great), and so on. See al-Adhkaarby al-Nawawi and similar books. 

Remembering Allaah increases one’s faith and brings peace to the heart. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest”

[al-Ra’d 13:28]

Observe regular prayer, fast and observe all the pillars of Islam, whilst also hoping for the mercy of Allaah; put your trust in Allaah in all your affairs. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“The believers are only those who, when Allaah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur’aan) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone);

Who perform As-Salaah (establish prayer) and spend out of that We have provided them.

It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise)”

[al-Anfaal 8:2-4]

It should be noted that faith increases when one obeys Allaah and decreases when one disobeys Him, so continue to do that which Allaah has enjoined, such as observing the five daily prayers in congregation in the mosque and paying zakaah (the poor-due) willingly, to purify yourself of sin, and as an act of mercy towards the poor and needy.

Keep company with good and righteous people so that they can help you to apply sharee’ah (religious teachings)and guide you towards that which will bring you happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.

Keep away from the people of innovation and sin, lest they tempt you and weaken your resolve. 

Do a lot of naafil (voluntary) good deeds, and turn to Allaah and ask Him for guidance.

If you do these things, Allaah will increase you in faith and help you to catch up with what you have missed of good deeds, and make you more steadfast in adhering to Islam.

Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 3/187.