Faith, they say, is no more than verbal acknowledgment and inner affirmation.

This is the definition adopted by the Murjiʾah, who restrict faith to confession with the tongue and belief in the heart alone. The correct view, however, is that faith comprises speech of the tongue, conviction of the heart, and deeds of the limbs. Acts of obedience are an integral part of the very reality of faith; they are not something added on. Whoever limits faith to mere words and inward assent without action does not possess sound faith.

Accordingly—just as the scholars have stated—faith is speech with the tongue, belief with the heart, and action with the limbs; it grows through obedience and wanes through disobedience.

Allah the Exalted says, “When His revelations are recited to them, they increase them in faith and they put their trust in their Lord” (al-Anfāl 8:2); and He says, “As for those who believe, it increases them in faith” (al-Tawbah 9:124); and He says, “So that those who believe may increase in faith” (al-Muddaththir 74:31). These verses all prove that faith can rise and fall.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever among you sees something evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; and if he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest level of faith.” (1) This clearly shows that faith diminishes as well.