Iman, faith, is an Arabic term which has come to be used in the regular vocabularies of Islamic countries, in such a way that today every Persian, Turkish or Urdu (speaking person) is familiar with its meaning. Even though we have stated that the term iman itself is generally widely-known; in order to have a clear and uniform idea, it is better to clearly define it with the help of some examples to limit its range of meaning and connotations.
When we believe in the honesty of someone to the extent that we completely trust that person without any worry, anxiety, hesitation or fear, say that we have faith or iman in this person.
When the truth of a topic is apparent to the point of conviction, we say that we have 'faith' in this subject. 'When we strongly believe in an intellectual system - or an ideological system in its European sense, or Islamic doctrine in our interpretation, when we feel such a strong attraction that it consequently becomes the foundation of our lives, and becomes such with conviction, more than that, with enthusiasm, ardour and inclination; when we re-align our lives and activities upon this basis, then we can say that we have 'faith' in this doctrine.
In light of the examples, it can be said that 'faith' means heart-felt confidence and trust in a person or creed.
The opposite of faith is doubt, hesitation or faltering, whether towards a person, a subject, or towards a creed. Doubt and hesitation can take the form of complete indifference. It is possible that it might be mixed with optimism or pessimism, but its natural outcome is distrust. Even if a kind of optimism is interwined with it, one could not become devoted to or follow a person or a creed with doubt and hesitation, especially in cases where steadfastness and resoluteness will be required.
Let us objectively review the life of the human being and see what role faith plays in it. But let us not review past ages. Rather let us look at this very era of ours, an era which allegedly lacks faith. Are we really living in such an era? Is there no place left for faith to have a role in the life of the human being? Can this era of scientific and industrial advances, development of public education, and an increased awareness of the human being of himself and the world surrounding be coupled with faith? Is it true that with the progress of science the age of faith has come to an end?
From where should we begin this objective review? From the scenes of the heroic struggles of the people of Lebanon , Iran , Algeria, Palestine, Vietnan and many others? Or from more tanquil scenes for example from the warm nucleus of the family or the school? As this discussion is arranged for students, if we were to directly go to the scenes of social struggle, we would have spoken according to the the demand of the circumstances. If you have the patience it is better for us to examine the role of faith in the life of the human being in general in order to become better acquainted with the essence of the subject.
The primary factor in a child's life, even in this age of science and technology the age of space exploration -is faith; life revolves around faith. The actions one performs so as to emulate others are due to one's faith in those who surround the child, that, is parents, siblings, nurse and so on; and the actions which one carries out according to one's discernment, spring from one's faith in one's own sense of direction.
A child's prosperity and proper and correct growth for life to a large extent depends upon the faith of the mother, father, teacher and all those who are responsible for the child. Only those who have faith in their works and duties are able to undertake these sensitive responsibilities. A mother who nurtures and physically and spiritually trains her children with love, care, faith, and a sense of responsibility towards them; a father who endeavors with love and faith to provide for the welfare and physical and mental health of the members of the family; a teacher who accepts the responsibility for the grave and delicate taks of teaching and education with love and faith undoubtedly play an influential role in a child's prosperity
In family environments that are deprived of love, the lack of faith, a sound belief of the parents and children and their heart-felt respect for each-others rights are considered to be among the most important factors of the children's adverseness. This is true even from the point of view of today's very progressive science. The child does not feel peace or security in such a lifeless family surrounding. Gradually the child becomes pessimestic towards everything, even the self, and becomes deprived of the most valuable factors of progress and evolution, that is faith in the self and faith in one's environment.
Essentially a child's faith is largely a reflection of the faith of parents which has shone upon the pure and susciptible heart of the child, and from their attitude, which is mixed with love and faith toward the child and towards each other. Such is the case of the teacher at school, particularly during the first years of education.
Undoubtedly the best of our memories belongs to those days when we enjoyed the education and teaching of a diligent and faith-filled teacher in primary school or professor in the University.
With the approach of adulthood, the type of faith of the period of childhood comes under doubt. Also during that very period of childhood, from time to time, the child is faced with incidents which would take away his faith from some one or something, but during this period, usually another type of faith replaces the withdrawn faith: faith which is opposite of the first, but not doubt. Sometimes the child changes his or her mind rapidly and successively. A child might not be on speaking terms with a play-mate for an hour but would reconcile with him or her in the next, and a sincere reconciliation it is at that.
Gradually this period passes and the period of adulthood and growth begins. During this period various physical and mental changes take place in the human being. Among them is the fact that the person might become doubtful and skeptical about many of the principles and beliefs held during childhood. The extent of this doubt and skeptism differs in individuals. In some persons it spreads to such an extent that it virtually encompasses everything.
Doubt occurring during adulthood is one of the most effective factors in the evolution of the human being, on the condition that it be accompanied by love and faith, love and faith for research and investigation. Only this kind of doubt can be named constructive doubt although the work of doubt always ends in destruction; that is, the destruction of whatever we believed in. Construction relates to the research and investigation which we begin following this destruction.