Does Being Called “a God” by Text and Other Such Things Affect One’s Faith (Iman)?
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
If someone calls me a “god” in a text message or mentions something hypothetical like time travel, does this affect my faith?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in the best of health and faith. Thank you for your question and your concern for your faith.
If someone says something untrue about you, such as calling you a “god” in a text message, or mentions a hypothetical like time travel, this does not affect your faith. You are not responsible for what others say. Your faith is what your heart affirms, not what others say about you.
Faith and disbelief are based on what the heart holds and what the tongue affirms with intention. If someone else says something about you, without your agreement, it is their statement, not yours. You have not believed it, nor have you said it.
As for the one who spoke, the ruling depends on their intention. If someone says words of disbelief seriously, it is a grave matter. But if it is a passing remark, a joke, or just a hypothetical, it is not the same. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) taught that there is no blame for what is said by mistake, in forgetfulness, or under compulsion, as established in the Sunna.
In summary, a Muslim should avoid saying such words. However, saying them does not make one a disbeliever, because they do not always mean belittling what is sacred.
The scholars define belittling (istikhfaf) as holding the sacred in disdain, either in the heart or openly. [‘Ala’ al-Din Ibn ‘Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-‘Ala’iyya]
A friend’s silly text is usually far from this. Assume the less grave meaning unless mockery of the religion is plainly intended.
Whether You Must Ask Them to Take It Back
You are not required to ask anyone to retract or erase such a message. If the words truly mocked Allah or the religion, then gently correcting the person is a kindness and part of encouraging good. Do so with wisdom, in line with your relationship and their openness, not out of anxiety.
If the remark was just nonsense and did not belittle the religion, you can simply ignore it. Deleting a text does not change anything with Allah. What matters is the state of the heart, not whether a message remains on a screen.
Guarding Your Heart Against Misgivings
The governing principle is this: Allah judges the heart, and He has not burdened you with the words of others. Turn your attention to your own certainty and leave the endless auditing of what people say.
“And do not say about Allah except the truth.” [Quran 4:171] — This addresses the one who speaks, and you are not that person here. If such a thought or message unsettles you, quietly affirm your faith in your heart, seek Allah’s forgiveness once, and move on without repeating it.n.
Do not let a passing doubt become a habit. Allah’s door is always open, and His mercy is vast. “Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins.” [Quran 39:53] Your concern for the truth is a sign of faith.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Related Answers
- Can Misworded Speech About Allah Lead to Disbelief?
- How Do I Deal with Thoughts of Disbelief (Kufr), and How Is the Shahada Pronounced?
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” published by White Thread Press in 2004, which is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
