ANSWERED: What is a believer?

[Omar HH]

Whats the definition of a believer and how does it differ from a Muslim?

Also, the hadith where the Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) says (in the last book of the Ihya Illum id Din by Imam al-Ghazali) that the day of Judgement will be made as easy (or maybe easier) on the believer than the 5 obligatory prayers. Does this mean someone with Iman or believes in Islam (by assumed definition for believer) will have the day easy upon him? What if he has never commited a good deed in his life? What about those who completed their obligations and repented their sins?

Jazakallahu Khayrun

[Zain121]

As Salaamu Alaykum,

Whats the definition of a believer and how does it differ from a Muslim?

It has been the practice of people to translate the word "Muslim" as a believer. Although this practice is not wrong, it should be noted that the word "believer" is only an English substitute for the word "Muslim". There is no word in the English language that can really give the true meaning of the Arabic word "Muslim".

According to the Dictionary:

Believer
To accept as true or real: Do you believe the news stories?
To credit with veracity: I believe you.
To expect or suppose; think: I believe they will arrive shortly.

v. intr.
To have firm faith, especially religious faith.
To have faith, confidence, or trust: I believe in your ability to solve the problem.
To have confidence in the truth or value of something: We believe in free speech.
To have an opinion; think: They have already left, I believe.

(Dictionary.com)

However, in the Arabic dictionary a Muslim is

"مَنْ كانَ على دِينِ الإِسْلام" (He who is upon the Religion of Islam)

Whilst "Believer" means having faith in anything, especially Religious faith, a Muslim is one who follows the religion of Islam.

According to a Christian he is a Believer, because he believes in his religion, according to a Jew he is a believer because he believes in his religion. And in the same way a Muslim is a believer because he believes in his religion.

Whereas, a Muslim is one who believes in the religion of Islam. Non other can be classed as a Muslim except for him.

Going into a little depth:

The name of this religion is Islam, the root of which is Silm and Salam which means peace. Salam may also mean greeting one another with peace. One of the beautiful names of God is that He is the Peace. It means more than that: submission to the One God, and to live in peace with the Creator, within one's self, with other people and with the environment. Thus, Islam is a total system of living. A Muslim is supposed to live in peace and harmony with all these segments; hence, a Muslim is any person anywhere in the world whose obedience, allegiance, and loyalty are to God, the Lord of the Universe.

In other words, a Muslim is he who follows the religion set by Allah, submits himself and his desires for Allah and follows the Shari'ah set by Allah by following the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.

Hope that clarifies that part of the question. Insha-allah will be back to answer the second part of the question.

Wasalaam

[Zain121]

Also, the hadith where the Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) says (in the last book of the Ihya Illum id Din by Imam al-Ghazali) that the day of Judgement will be made as easy (or maybe easier) on the believer than the 5 obligatory prayers. Does this mean someone with Iman or believes in Islam (by assumed definition for believer) will have the day easy upon him? What if he has never commited a good deed in his life? What about those who completed their obligations and repented their sins?

Jazakallahu Khayrun

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the delay in answering this question. I haven't been on Sunniforum for quite some time now and it had left my attention that I had an unanswered question. Please do forgive me for the delay.

As for the Question.

1. Many Ahadeeth have come in regards to the Day of Judgement. There are by far many more Ahadeeth that mention the Day of Judgement to be severe than the ones that say it will be an easy task.

Therefore, there could be two meanings taken from this Hadeeth:

a. For those who were steadfast upon Salaah, who performed it correctly and the way it should be, they will be the ones that will find the Final Day as easy as offering their Salaah.

The question remains; what about the people who performed Salaah but did not offer any other good deeds?

The true effect of Salaah is that it stops a person from commiting any other sins:

“Verily Salaah stops one from shameless and evil deeds."

[29:45]

b. Another meaning that can be taken from this Hadeeth is that Salaah is a very 'hard' act for one to fulfil. Therefore, similarly so is the Day of Judgement a 'Hard' matter:

"Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard save for the humble-minded"

[2:45]

Another answer that can be given is that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam mentioned this Hadeeth before he had the total revelation of the matter of the Day of Judgement.

Nevertheless, the matter of Qiyaamah is a very sever one as it has come in many Ahadeeth.

Following is a Link that outlines some of the verses and Ahadeeth concerning the Day of Judgement.

http://webpages.marshall.edu/~laher1/akhirah.html#hashr

Wallahu A'lam.

Wasalaam