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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Theological Instructions LESSON FIFTY-FOUR: THE ROLE OF FAITH AND BLASHEMY IN ONE’S ETERNAL PROSPERITY OR ADVERSITY Introduction The point of discussion is as to whether eternal prosperity will be caused by faith and good deeds jointly or independently and irrespective of each other.

Also whether disbelief and rebellion against God will independently result in eternal punishment or both will cause it together, and if the latter is right, what then happens if a person manages to have only one of the above (i.e., belief in God or good deeds). The same point is true if an individual has no belief in God and performs sinful deeds; what would happen to such a person?

Moreover, if a believer commits many sins and a disbeliever performs a number of good deeds, will they be prosperous or in adversity? Hence, if a person has passed part of his life believing in God and in the performance of good deeds and another part in disbelief and in the committal of sins, what would his fate be? Such points have been taken into consideration since the first century of the presence of Islam.

Some people such as the Kharijite[3] believed that committing sins was an independent cause for one’s eternal adversity and that it further causes disbelief and apostasy. However, other groups such as the Murjeia[4] believed that faith was sufficient for eternal prosperity, and by committing a sin; the prosperous life of the believer was not threatened. Nevertheless, the truth is that not every sin leads to disbelief and bad luck; however, the accumulation of sins will destroy faith.

It means, nonetheless, that faith does not cause sins to be forgiven and does not make one free from punishment. In this lesson, I will first explain the nature of belief and disbelief, and secondly, their role in eternal prosperity and adversity will be discussed. Other (relevant) points will be dealt with in future lessons. The nature of faith and disbelief Faith is an inner, spiritual state, which is formed (in a person), due to: knowledge of a concept, and 2) having a tendency towards it.

The intensity or weakness in each of them will cause the perfection or deficiency of faith. However, unless a person is aware of something, even speculatively, he will not believe in it.