Cowardice is the root cause of all mental disorders. It does not matter to the coward whether what he fears is something to be feared or not. Cowards fear simply by virtue of their cowardice. They fear everything. Getting sick, being disliked, worrying about sustenance, losing their title, fame, loved ones, power, the list goes on. Indeed, these fears stem from Satan (Al-i ‘Imran, 3:175). Those who fall prey to satanic intimidation resort to seeking refuge in unimaginable things. This is the breeding ground for polytheism and those who drag people into polytheism derive their power from these morbid fears.
Those who delve into the nature of human personality inform us that the pursuit of security is a fundamental and essential need, while fear is an incidental state arising from the disruption of psychological integrity. That is why, and thankfully, among the names of our Lord, there is no name that means “the One Who frightens”, but there is the name “al-Mu’min”, which means “the Granter of Security”.
The name “mu’min”, which expresses the unwavering trust in the essence of our Lord, derives from the root “amn”. The term “amn/amniyah” connotes the state of being secure, free from fear, and at peace. Stemming from this root, the name “mu’min” signifies “one who ensures the security of others, one whose word and promises are trusted”. The manifestation of trust, embodied by this name, is such a fundamental necessity for the continuity of life on Earth that it is said, “The life in this universe, created by the manifestation of Allah’s name al-Khaliq, continues through the manifestation of His name al-Mu’min.” The cessation of trust inevitably leads to the demise of the will to live, marking the end of life itself.
The name “mu’min” also connotes “one who believes, confirms, and validates”. In this regard, Allah Himself has bestowed upon those who believe in Him and His messengers the name “mu’min” in the Holy Book, thereby honoring them by designating them with one of His own attributes. In this manner, our Lord, as if by making the desired character traits into our names, instills them within us. He expects believers, as a necessary consequence of bearing this attribute, to be individuals of impeccable integrity, trustworthy in their words and promises, and ethical in their conduct, thereby inspiring trust in those around them. The name “Amin,” given to our Prophet by the people of Mecca even before his prophethood, also derives from the same root and signifies that all people trusted him as a result of his character.
Just as He has created “trust,” our Lord, the Creator of “faith,” has bestowed upon our hearts the capacity to believe, one of the countless manifestations of the name “al-Mu’min.” For this reason, it is impossible for a human being to believe in nothing at all, and even denial constitutes a form of belief. In light of this, Allah invites humanity not merely to believe but to have faith in that “which originates from Him”. The heart that confirms the knowledge that comes from Allah becomes a mu’min and, as an inevitable consequence of the Creator and the Informer being one and the same, achieves perfect harmony with creation.
For those who possess faith grounded in knowledge from Allah, neither the intricacies of this world, nor the mysteries of the Hereafter, nor the occurrences in between, present themselves as enigmas. Such a heart discerns the position of every entity within the hierarchy of existence, attributing no undue significance to anything. From this very state of mind emerges tranquility, the ultimate goal of life in hearts that have embraced falsehood and error, the places of things and events have been upended, and order has been disrupted. The possessors of such hearts perpetually dwell in a state of anxiety, fear, and panic. They are incapable of trusting anything or anyone. In their eyes, this world offers no one worthy of trust. People are potential enemies. The insecurity that plagues their inner world is so terrifying that they can only express it by attributing it to others. This terrifying loneliness can only be overcome by invoking the name of Allah, seeking refuge in Him, and placing unwavering trust in Him. When an individual seeks refuge in Allah with awareness and sincerity, rather than mere habit, Allah will not turn him away (Al-i ‘Imran, 3:101; Anfal, 8:64). Indeed, one of the meanings of the name “al-Mu’min” is the grantor of safety to those who seek refuge in Him, taking them under His special protection.
Indeed, every being in creation that we trust and seek refuge in is a manifestation of the security and tranquility embodied in Allah’s name, “al-Mu’min.” Indeed, all the names of our Lord manifest in the universe through causes. According to psychology, the most crucial factor in fostering a sense of security in a child is the presence of a mother who possesses a calm and serene disposition, consistently providing care for her offspring regardless of circumstances. According to Al-Ghazali, individuals who strive to ensure safety and security embody the manifestations of the name “mu’min.” Mothers who instill a sense of confidence in their children’s view of the world and fathers who provide secure homes are endowed with the manifestations of this name. Individuals who have assumed leadership positions, regardless of the circumstances, should strive to embody the manifestations of this name by refraining from falsehood, upholding their promises, and safeguarding the confidential information entrusted to them regarding those they govern. Among servants, those who are most worthy of this name are the prophets and those who guide people to the path of Allah, facilitating their salvation from the true source of fear, which is eternal torment.
