238 — And al-Firyābī narrated to us, saying: ʿUbayd Allah ibn Muʿādh narrated to us, saying: ⦗603⦘ My father narrated to us, saying: Shuʿba narrated to us, from Sulaymān, from Khaythama, from ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿAmr, who said: “A time will surely come upon people when they gather in their mosques, yet there will not be a single believer among them.”

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn said: All these reports indicate that faith increases and decreases. We shall cite from the Quran what proves what we have said. This is the path of one for whom Allah intends good.

Allah Most High says: “Whenever a surah is revealed, some of them ask, ‘Which of you has this increased in faith?’ As for those who believe, it increases them in faith, and they rejoice.” [al-Tawba: 124]

He Most High also says: “He is the One who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers so that they might increase in faith along with their faith.” [al-Fath: 4]

He Most High says: “As for those who are guided, He increases them in guidance and grants them their piety.” [Muhammad: 17]

And, in praising the Companions of the Cave, He Most High says: “Indeed, they were young men who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance and strengthened their hearts.” [al-Kahf: 13]

⦗604⦘ He Most High also says: “The believers are only those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, whose faith increases when His verses are recited to them, and who place their trust in their Lord.” [al-Anfāl: 2]

He Most High also says: “So that those who were given the Scripture may attain certainty and those who believe may increase in faith.” [al-Muddaththir: 31]

There are many such passages in the Quran. He Most High also says: “Those to whom people said, ‘The people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ But this only increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Trustee.’” [Āl ʿImrān: 173]