Is Faith Without Doubt Valuable?

In response to the question of whether faith without doubt is valuable, the answer is a resounding yes. Faith without doubt is not only valuable but forms the very backbone of a true spiritual life, leading to genuine perfection and tranquility. The Holy Quran explicitly emphasizes the importance of 'Yaqeen,' or certainty and unwavering conviction in faith. This certainty is not merely a superficial belief but a deep state of inner peace and assurance rooted in profound knowledge and understanding of God, His signs, and the reality of existence. In Islam, true faith is free from doubt and hesitation, and a true believer is someone who stands firm in their convictions. Numerous verses in the Quran highlight this concept. One of the most prominent is Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 15, which states: “The believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then have not doubted and have striven with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.” This verse explicitly identifies the absence of doubt as one of the essential characteristics of true believers. The phrase “lam yartābū,” meaning “they have not doubted,” places particular emphasis on this matter. Doubt is the antithesis of certainty and prevents an individual from wholeheartedly and confidently pursuing divine objectives or striving in the path of God. Yaqeen is a state of knowledge that liberates a person from any intellectual or spiritual vacillation. This certainty is not blind faith or baseless fanaticism; rather, it is the outcome of contemplation, reflection, deliberation on God’s signs in the universe and within oneself, and finding logical answers to profound questions. In fact, the journey to certainty might begin with questions, but the purpose of these questions is to arrive at firm answers and solidify faith, not to remain trapped in the quagmire of doubt. As mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 4, one of the characteristics of the righteous is: “And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain.” Certainty in the Hereafter, meaning unwavering conviction about the Resurrection and accountability, is the foundation for all good deeds and abstaining from sins. The value of faith without doubt lies in the immense power it bestows upon an individual. When someone has complete certainty in God, His wisdom, His justice, and His promises, they remain steadfast in the face of life’s challenges and adversities. Doubt, like a corrosive agent, eats away at the human soul from within, making one vulnerable to Satanic whispers. A person constantly plagued by doubt cannot fully rely on God (tawakkul), obey His commands, or strive and sacrifice in His cause. Doubt extinguishes the spirit of striving and leads one towards passivity and indifference. Furthermore, faith without doubt is a source of inner peace and heartfelt contentment. When a heart is filled with certainty, worldly worries and fears of the future are minimized. This certainty brings about an unquestioning reliance on Divine Providence and makes one resilient against hardships. In Surah At-Takathur, verse 5, Allah says: “No! If you only knew with knowledge of certainty.” This verse and the ones that follow (6-7) refer to the levels of certainty (ilm al-yaqeen, ain al-yaqeen, haqq al-yaqeen), indicating that certainty is not only desirable but exists in degrees that one can strive to perfect. These stages demonstrate the depth and quality of faith without doubt. Practically, faith without doubt leads to good morals and righteous deeds. A person who is certain that God is always watching them and that every action has its reward or consequence will meticulously and sincerely fulfill their obligations and abstain from forbidden acts. This certainty manifests itself in social relationships, interactions with family and neighbors, and even in business dealings. The person with unwavering faith will be fair, truthful, trustworthy, and kind, knowing that these are qualities pleasing to Allah and will bring them good in this world and the Hereafter. In conclusion, faith without doubt is not just a desirable state; it is the foundation of worldly and otherworldly prosperity. This faith provides purpose, illuminates the path, and enables an individual to proceed with strength and peace on the divine course. Doubt is a deadly poison that withers the roots of faith and distances a person from the truth. Therefore, from the Quranic perspective, the value of faith lies precisely in its purity and certainty—a faith that has passed through the crucible of inquiry and reached the station of Yaqeen.