Amr ibn Murrah said: “So-and-so is a true leader—and there are leaders among the people. And so-and-so is a true merchant—and there are merchants among the people. And so-and-so is a true poet—and there are poets among the people.” ⁽¹⁾
Not all believers are on the same level. Rather, some are better than others, and this is based on the degree of faith. There is one who believes only with the tongue, and there is one who believes with the heart, tongue, and actions.

Allah has honored a category of believers whom He described as having reached the reality of faith and promised them a great reward and generous recompense. So who are the true believers, and what is their reward and end?

Traits of the True Believers

Allah has clarified the qualities of the true believers in two places in Surat Al-Anfal. The first is at the beginning of the Surah, and the second is toward its end. He says, “The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely - The ones who establish prayer, and from what We have provided them, they spend. Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.” (Al-Anfal: 2–4)

He also said, “But those who have believed and emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah and those who gave shelter and aided - it is they who are the believers, truly. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.” (Al-Anfal: 74)

From these ayahs, the traits of the true believer become evident:

1. Fearful Hearts When Allah is Mentioned

The meaning of ayah no. 2 is that feeling fear and awe when Allah is mentioned is the sign of believers who have complete and sincere faith. This exclusivity refers to the perfection of faith, not its basic level. ⁽²⁾
This trembling of the heart does not contradict the tranquility mentioned where Allah says, “Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” (Ar-Ra’d: 28)

Ar-Razi combines both fear and tranquility from remembrance of Allah in his tafsir: “Tranquility comes from the deep conviction and clarity in absorbing tawheed, whereas fear arises from fear of punishment. These two states are not contradictory. In fact, both are mentioned in one ayah: ‘Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah.’” (Az-Zumar: 23) Meaning, their skins shiver from the fear of Allah’s punishment, then their skins and hearts soften at the hope of Allah’s reward.” ⁽³⁾

2. Increase in Faith Through Qur’an Recitation

Reciting the Qur’an increases one’s faith, elevating its people to the reality of true belief. Al-Qurtubi said: “It is the increase of the heart’s openness through the abundance of ayahs and proofs.” ⁽⁴⁾ As a proof that Quran elevates man to the highest of ranks, Allah said, “Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable.” (Al-Isra: 9)

3. Tawakkul (Reliance) Upon Allah

Tawakkul means delegating matters to Allah, placing trust in Him to bring about benefit and repel harm, and seeking His help in all affairs. Only true believers refine their reliance, as Allah says, “And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers.” (Al-Ma’idah: 23) and “And upon Allah let the believers rely.” (Aal-Imran: 160) As a believer's certainty in Allah increases, so does his faith and rank, until he reaches the peak of belief.

4. Establishing Prayer

Establishing prayer means maintaining it in its proper times, observing its pillars, performing its recommended acts, adhering to its etiquette, and benefiting from its spiritual effects. Whoever does this perfects and elevates their faith. Allah said: “And establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing.” (Al-Ankabut: 45) And it’s narrated in Musnad Ahmad that the Prophet ﷺ would say to Bilal: “Bring us comfort by prayer.”

5. Spending from Allah’s Provision

Spending in this ayah emphasizes not merely giving obligatory zakat, but developing a deeper culture of generosity. Complete faith is not reached by one who is stingy in any aspect of goodness.

 6. Migration for the Sake of Allah

Hijrah (migration) begins with leaving a homeland where one cannot practice Islam to a place where one can fulfill their duties. But the meaning expands to include leaving all that Allah has forbidden and striving for all that He has commanded. Whoever does so has earned the greatest reward. Allah says, “The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success].” (At-Tawbah: 20)

7. Jihad for the Sake of Allah

Jihad with wealth and life is among the greatest deeds, raising a person to the highest levels. In Musnad Ahmad, it is narrated from Mu’adh ibn Jabal that the Prophet ﷺ said to him: “Shall I not inform you of the head of the matter, its pillar and its peak?” I said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is the prayer and its peak is jihad.”

8. Providing Shelter to Believers

Providing shelter includes welcoming strangers, hosting them with care, ensuring their safety, and supporting them. The Ansar (Helpers) were the best example, as they welcomed the Prophet ﷺ and the emigrants. Allah said: “And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation.” (Al-Hashr: 9)

9. Support for the Religion of Allah

This means dedicating oneself, one’s wealth, and everything one owns to uphold, spread, and defend this religion. It is a form of jihad, and no one is granted this honor except those whom Allah has chosen.

The Reward for the True Believers

The Qur’an makes clear the reward of those who possess these qualities. This serves as both encouragement and motivation to adopt such traits. Allah says, “Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.” (Al-Anfal: 4) and “It is they who are the believers, truly. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.” (Al-Anfal: 74)

The Three Rewards:

1. High Ranks with Allah

“For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord.” Meaning ranks, levels and degrees in Jannah, as He said: “They are [varying] degrees in the sight of Allah, and Allah is Seeing of whatever they do.” (Aal-Imran: 163) ⁽⁵⁾

2. Forgiveness

This means erasing sins and granting reward. It is Allah’s forgiveness of their past sins that enabled them to reach such perfection. ⁽⁶⁾

3. Noble Provision

This refers to pure, delightful sustenance in Paradise—untainted, enjoyable, without burden or obligation. ⁽⁷⁾

Also Read: 

1.       Tafsir Ibn Kathir (4/13)

2.      Fath al-Qadeer: Al-Shawkani (2/326)

3.      Tafsir Ar-Razi (15/450)

4.      Tafsir Al-Qurtubi (7/367)

5.      Tafsir Ibn Kathir (4/13)

6.      Tafsir Al-Maraghi (9/166)

7.      Fath al-Bayan fi Maqasid al-Qur’an (5/221)

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