Re: Difference between Muslim and Momin
Assalamu’alaikum again AQ
Perhaps I’m not being clear, or perhaps I misunderstand, please correct me on the following …
Obedience is an action undertaken in a state of submission. This submissive tendency makes one a Muslim. That fact that belief has entered the heart is not measurable to you or I. However, obedience is. Also, to be a Muslim is to confirm the validity of all of the 5 pillars at least on oneself.
Allah (SWT) is the Knower of the hearts. What we are or are not allowed to do is irrespective of what is or is not the case.
A person who merely pays lips service to Islam SHOULD be treated as a MUSLIM, because we do not have the tools to distinguish between him and another who says Shahadah. For the sake of Muslims however, we should all know that it is our obligation to understand Islam before we declare witness to it. We should only think of ourselves as Muslim if we have undertaken Shahadah in the correct manner. Or is it enough that we were born in a Muslim household and have a Muslim name but we know nothing of Islam?
Or perhaps is it correct to say that we are Muslim if we say that God is One but He did not reveal the Qur’an? Or how about if we assume that Allah (SWT) will not Judge us. How can we be Muslim if we first do not learn about Allah (SWT)?
Being on the Fitrah is different from being a Muslim, also a person who does believe in Oneness is called another name - i.e. Muttawahid. (Monotheist).
The state does not sanction declaring the people kafir, but instead it can send people to ensure people are performing their prayers. That is according to the understanding I have seen and heard that Muslims can tell other Muslims to pray, it falls back on that ayat that you quoted.
Islam has five pillars - lose one and Islam is not there. Muslim cannot be complete without at least hoping to do all five pillars.
Iman has six pillars - basically they all stem from aspects which rationale cannot directly bring together. They are nested in the ghaib, but they are all affirmations. An affirmation is stronger than a belief. It means to add strength to the argument. We do so by being compliant to what we profess.
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/001.smt.html
From the few hadith relating directy to the question … “What is Islam?” and “What is Iman?” The answers given by Muhammad (SAW) are interesting.