MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The true indicators of iman (faith) and taqwa (piety) in Islam lie in one’s social behavior and ethical conduct, according to Dadang Kahmad, Chairperson of Muhammadiyah.
Dadang found the indicators of faith and piety in social behavior in the Al-Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet. According to him, a Muslim who prays, fasts, pays zakat, and performs the Hajj regularly, but has bad morals, also has bad indicators of faith.
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, honor the guest, honor the neighbor, speak well or remain silent,” Dadang quoted a hadith of Prophet Muhammad.
In addition, it is also mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari 13 and Sahih Muslim 45 that none amongst Muslims truly believes until they love for their brother as they love for themselves.
The Quran also explicitly highlights the correlation between faith and social conduct in Ali Imran verses 133 to 134. These verses describe the righteous as those who give charity in times of hardship, control their anger and forgive others, and love those who do good.
“The indicators of taqwa (piety) in these verses are extraordinary, highly social,” explained Dadang Kahmad in the Eid all-Fitr gathering at Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. DR. HAMKA (Uhamka) on Monday (April 22).
Muslims who embody these qualities, Dadang continued, are referred to as muhsinin, individuals who excel in doing good. He noted that the rank of muhsinin is even higher than that of mutaqin (the pious).
Dadang emphasized that achieving the rank of muhsinin hinges on cultivating exceptional self-control. This mastery over one’s actions and emotions becomes the lifelong aspiration every Muslim should strive towards.
