And whoever fastens his heart to the Creator—never to the created—in all his affairs will enjoy a wholesome life, present-moment ease, and perfected monotheism. By contrast, whoever turns the matter upside down will find his faith and tawḥīd diminished, and the doors of worry, sorrow, and regret flung open before him.

There is no doubt that these two outcomes (1) track the strength or weakness of faith—its truth or falsity, its genuine realization or its mere claim while the heart is empty of it.

• Another fruit: Faith calls a person to fine character with every stratum of society, as the Prophet ﷺ said, “The most complete of the believers in faith are those who are best in character.” (2)

The essence of good character is:
• that the servant endures harm from people;
• that he offers them, to the best of his ability, every kindness—spoken, physical, and financial;
• that he associates with them according to their circumstances in ways they appreciate, provided no sacred limit is breached;
• and that he repels evil with what is better.

None can rise to this except those of consummate faith. Allah the Exalted says, “None are granted it except those who are patient, and none are granted it except one blessed with a great portion.” ⦗Fussilat 35⦘

When faith weakens, diminishes, or deviates, a corresponding distortion overtakes the servant’s character in proportion to his distance from true faith.