Aslam

(2) Second question. Iman is subject to increase and decrease. It increases by good deeds and decreases by evil deeds.
There is existence ofa thing which has got increase or decrease and nothing grows or diminishes of itself. So there is existence of Iman which increases by good deeds and decreases by evil deeds.
God says : He increased their belief God says : In order to increasse their belief along with their belief. The Prophet said :
Belief increases and decreases. This law is applicable to every attribute of mind. Mind appertains to the unseen spiritual world and the actions of organs appertain to this world. There is subtle tie between these two worlds and some men think that the two worlds are the same. He who has seen both the worlds perceived the real nature of things. This is the first meaning. Regarding the second meaning of increase and decrease of belief, the Prophet said : Belief has got more than seventy branches. He also said :
When a fornicator fornicates, he ceases to be a believer at the time. So there is action along with belief which shows that it increases and decreases. Regarding its third meaning, it is sure and certain belief which can be seen by Kashf, expansion of breast and deep insight. Mind is not satisfied till it has got faith like the fact that two is more than one, that fire burns and that the world is created. So this is*the highest stage of belief after increase.

Vol-I FOUNDATION OF BELIEF 121

(3) Third question It is with regard to the answer I am a believer if God wills' on a question put to one — "Are you a believer"? The reply should' not be "I am a true believer or I am abeliever to God". These qualifications are correct or put forward for four reasons, two of them come from doubt and two donot come from doubt. The first reason which does not come form doubt is the care taken for fear of showing oneself pure. God says: Don't inpute purity to yourself. God says : Have you not seen those who hold themselves to be righteous 4 : 52? A certain wise man was asked : What is detestable talk ? He said : To prasie oneself. The second reason for the use of these qualifications is courtesy and to entrust all actions to the will of God. God says, by way of instruction to the Prophet (18 : 23): Don' t say of anything :
T will do it tomorrow' without saying if God wills.' The thjrd meaning keeps connection with doubt when one says : I am a true believer if God wills. There is doubt whether the man is a perfect believer because God said: True believers are those only who believe in God and His Apostle and afterwards do not doubt and who fight with their lives and properties for the cause of God.
These are the truthful — 94 : 15. It has been expressed also in verses— 2 : 172, 58:12, 57 : 10. The Prophet said : Belief has got seventy branches. The fourth reason arises also from doubt. It is the fear of bad end, for no one knows what will be his end, good or bad.