Iman (Islam)

This article is about the Islamic term. For the supermodel, see Iman Abdulmajid.

For the Arabic word used for Muslim leaders, see Imam. Iman is also a common Muslim female name. For the Jordanian Princess, see Princess Iman

Iman (Arabic: إيمان) is an Islamic term, literally meaning "to learn", "to fully observe one's faith" or "to learn one's faith", and lexically meaning affirmation and confirmation in the heart, as can be found in a verse of the Qur'an:

"[Joseph's brothers] said,

"Our father! Indeed, we went racing with one another, and we left Joseph with our belongings, and the wolf devoured him. But you will not believe us, even if we are truthful." [12:17]

It is most often associated with true and unadulterated faith in Allah as the one and only God, in Islam.

Iman consists of six main concepts, and having "Iman" literally means to have belief in them:

1. Belief in Allah (God)
2. The Day of Judgment; Heaven and Hell
3. Malaika (Angels)
4. The Divine Guidance (Revelations including the Zabur, Torah, Bible, and the Quran)
5. The Prophets (from Adam to Muhammad)
6. Qada wa Quadar (Fate or pre-destination; belief that whatever happens to a human being, regardless of it being good or evil, happens for a reason)

However the importance of Iman relies heavily upon reason. Islam explicitly asserts that belief should be maintained in that which can be proven using faculties of perception and conception.