Bearing the title of believer is a noble predicate. Allah describes the nature of believers in two verses, namely the 2nd and 3rd verses of Surah Al-Anfal. Allah mentions there are 5 attributes in the verse. Here are the properties.
Has Fear in His Heart
Allah Ta’ala berfirman
The believers are only those who, when God is mentioned, whose hearts fear
“Verily the believers are those whose hearts tremble when the name of Allah is mentioned” (QS. Al-Anfal: 2)
Only those who believe when God's name is mentioned, fear appears in their hearts. Fear as a form of glorifying God. For example, if there is someone who wants to commit a sin, then he remembers Allah or someone reminds him by saying, "fear Allah", then he is a believer. Such fear is the characteristic of a believer.
There is Additional Faith when Quranic Verses are Read
Allah Ta’ala berfirman
And when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith.
“and when His verses are recited, their faith increases (therefore)” (QS. Al-Anfal: 2)
This is proof of a person's faith when the Qur'an is read either by himself or by others, he can benefit by increasing his sense of faith. As the Messenger of AllahSallallahu 'alaihi Wasallam once ordered Ibn Mas'ud to recite the Qur'an, then Ibn Mas'ud asked, "< a i=3>How can I recite the Qur'an when the Qur'an was revealed to you?".
Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi Wasallam also replied, "I really like hearing the recitation of the Qur'an from other people." Ibn Mas'ud also recited Surah An-Nisa, when he reached verse 41,
So how if We bring from every nation a witness and bring you as a witness over these?
“Then what will happen (to the disbelievers later), when We bring a witness (messenger) from every nation and We bring you (Muhammad) as a witness over them ( as your people)” (QS. An-Nisa: 41).
Then the Prophet said, "Enough" I looked at the Prophet and saw his eyes filled with tears. (HR. Al-Bukhari)
The fragment of the second verse of Surah Al-Anfal above is a proof that feelings of faith can increase and decrease. Because the belief of the Ahlusunnah is that faith increases with obedience and decreases with immorality. Exemplified in the verse above is carrying out obedience by listening to the reading of the Koran. The murji'ah group who have deviations in this creed say that their sense of faith cannot increase or decrease, and this is a wrong creed.
Ibn Mas'ud's story above also shows how tender the Prophet's heart was, when he was read the Qur'an, his heart was touched so much that he shed tears.
Trust Only in God
Allah Ta’ala berfirman
And in their Lord they put their trust
“and only in their Lord do they trust” (QS. Al-Anfal: 2).
A believer will entrust all his affairs only to God, not to others. However, they also do reasons for the realization of something, in addition to still trusting in God. Because they believe that nothing will happen except by God's will.
Establishing Prayer
Allah Ta’ala berfirman
Those who establish prayer
“(namely) those who offer prayers” (QS. Al-Anfal: 3).
Many verses show that prayer is proof of a person's faith, one of which is this verse. Believers will perform prayers perfectly, both obligatory and recommended prayers.
Happy to contribute
Allah Ta’ala berfirman
And of what We have provided them they spend
“and those who spend the sustenance that We give them” (QS. Al-Anfal: 3).
A person is said to be a believer when he spends his wealth in the way of God. As was done by Abu Bakr radhiyallahu 'anhu, he spent all his wealth in the way of God. But there is an important note, when someone has an urgent need, both from family and other people, then they should not spend all their wealth.
These are the 5 qualities of believers that God mentions in Surah Al-Anfal, verses 2 and 3. Then at the beginning of the 4th verse, Allah mentions that they are the people who have true faith. Allah says:
These are the true believers.
“Those are the true believers” (QS. Al-Anfal: 4).
Hopefully we can be classified as people who have the qualities above so that we can achieve the title of believer. Wallahul muwaffiq.
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Reference: Al Qaulul Mufid ‘ala Kitabit Tauhid, karya Syaikh Ibnu Utsaimin
Author: Wiwit Hardi P.
Article Muslim.Or.Id