Belief (eemaan) = based on clear proof / evidence (Once you have seen clear proof/evidence of something, then there is nothing left but to believe - if you are sincere).
Faith (tewakkel) = belief without clear proof/evidence
But some things have purposely not been given clear proof/evidence to see who will have faith which is a more virtuous quality (e.g. belief in the unseen, etc)
However, how are we to know that what we have faith in is the truth, if we cannot test or prove it? Isnt this dangerous - since we may believe something false (like many do who have "blind faith")
The solution is to only have faith in something that was confirmed by an authority (e.g. the Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.s, etc). This is called appealing to authority. The authority itself must have proven itself with clear proof / evidence. However, once it has established its authority as a trustworthy source, anything coming from that authority is reliable and most likely true.
In islam, this is done all the time and the only way muslims should have faith. God does not directly speak to every muslim to tell them to believe in Him and what He wants of them. Nor does He give each of them their orders directly. Rather muslims have faith in God and His orders as reported to them from the Qur'an and the Prophetic traditions (Sunnah). They appeal to these as authority. The Qur'an has numerous proofs of its authenticity from God. So too has the prophet proven himself a prophet and messenger of God with miracles, character, knowledge and true prophecy, etc. Then the transmission of the hadith are also graded upon their reliability to ensure they remain a reliable and authoritative source.
Non muslims also have faith in things (including atheists). When we walk into a building, we do not immediately proceed to test the structural integrity of the building in order to prove it will not fall down on us. We have trust that it will remain standing. This faith (belief without proof) is due to an appeal to authority - we trust those who built it and the building regulations as they have established a reputation and proven themselves.
Faith (tewakkel) = belief without clear proof/evidence
But some things have purposely not been given clear proof/evidence to see who will have faith which is a more virtuous quality (e.g. belief in the unseen, etc)
However, how are we to know that what we have faith in is the truth, if we cannot test or prove it? Isnt this dangerous - since we may believe something false (like many do who have "blind faith")
The solution is to only have faith in something that was confirmed by an authority (e.g. the Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.s, etc). This is called appealing to authority. The authority itself must have proven itself with clear proof / evidence. However, once it has established its authority as a trustworthy source, anything coming from that authority is reliable and most likely true.
In islam, this is done all the time and the only way muslims should have faith. God does not directly speak to every muslim to tell them to believe in Him and what He wants of them. Nor does He give each of them their orders directly. Rather muslims have faith in God and His orders as reported to them from the Qur'an and the Prophetic traditions (Sunnah). They appeal to these as authority. The Qur'an has numerous proofs of its authenticity from God. So too has the prophet proven himself a prophet and messenger of God with miracles, character, knowledge and true prophecy, etc. Then the transmission of the hadith are also graded upon their reliability to ensure they remain a reliable and authoritative source.
Non muslims also have faith in things (including atheists). When we walk into a building, we do not immediately proceed to test the structural integrity of the building in order to prove it will not fall down on us. We have trust that it will remain standing. This faith (belief without proof) is due to an appeal to authority - we trust those who built it and the building regulations as they have established a reputation and proven themselves.
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