What is a Muslim and What is a Mu'amin ?

[usmuslim]

Al Salamo Alaykom :

What is the difference between a Muslim person and a  Mu'amin based on the definitions from the "Quran" or The Book ?


Thanks

Salam

[ziad]

Wa Alaykomussalam,



It is really a smart question that needs a detailed answer.

In fact, some of the words mentioned in the Qur’an carry different meanings according to the context in which they were mentioned, and the issue is not only related to the difference between Islam and Iman, rather we can say that the difference between the other ranks of the believers is unknown to many people, but I assure you that the Qur’an is accurate in clarifying these matters and that it does not tell us to be good people in many ways as some people think.





When we talk about religion, we are talking about a religious practice (application of the teachings of Islam) based on an integrated conception of existence (the theoretical part or religion which is belief or faith), In the case of the Messengers and Prophets, may peace and blessings be upon them, there was no need to distinguish between these two parts, because they were living their faith in The framework of a relationship with Allah, and if you ask them for a proof of what they are doing, they would give you a self-evidence from their experience, this case is the one named in the Qur’an (the religion or "Milla" of Abraham), and Abraham called it Islam, peace be upon him, Allah says in the Holy Qur’an : (It is the religion of your father Abraham he is the one who named you “Muslims” before . Quran surah Al Hajj 78 (QS 22: 78)), and in arabic (مِلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِنْ قَبْلُ), but in the life time of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, realism necessitated the distinction between two types of people who entered this religion, the first type are the believers who believed in what was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, as it is and applied the teachings of Islam based on evidence meaning they were aware of them, that is, when you ask them why are you doing this ? they give you the answer directly and link it to their theoretical faith, they live the religion in reality as a relationship with Allah.



But on the other hand there is another type that accepted the application of the teachings of Islam in their lives and they see they are useful, but their application is not based on evidence, and they cannot give you a proof of what they are doing, because they did not search for the truth either because they think that they do not have the tools to access it or because they are not interested in it, Allah says in the Holy Qur’an ( The bedouins say, “We have believed.” Say, “You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts, Quran surah Al Hujurat 14 (QS 49: 14) ) and in arabic (قَالَتِ الْأَعْرَابُ آمَنَّا ۖ قُلْ لَمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَٰكِنْ قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَا وَلَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْإِيمَانُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ).



This is the difference as I understand it.

I hope this post will help you to understand the topic better.



May Allah bless you and salam.