Al Mumin is one of the ninety-nine names for God in the Islamic faith. It comes from the root word "Amina" which is defined as “to trust, be secure, to be in safety.” (Omar 33)
The various names that come from the root word Amina are Iman, Mumin, and Al Mumin. However, when applying one variation of this root word to God, Al Mumin, it becomes an attribute that commands a sense of loftiness which cannot be applied to a human being. Al Mumin is the embodiment of the very essence of Inspiration for Muslims.
God as the Inspirer of Faith in Islam
As Al Mumin, God brings to humanity the inspiration to believe in something more than the physical world. He brings a desire to look beyond the veil of society and its many customs. The conscious will to believe begins with God from who inspiration flows in such abundance that it touches all who exist.
Through God’s inspiration, Muslims who recognize the calling, and answer, obtain a feeling of trust in their Lord. They believe that such trust will ultimately bring about a greater unity with God.
The Muslim comes to believe that one is safe in his/her endeavors. Even if they, or loved ones, are cut down by the angel of death before their goals are met, they believe that they have provided an inspiration to others who seek the same achievement.
The Muslim’s Sincerity of Faith is Iman
Thus, if the root of the word Al Mumin is pertaining to security and safety it follows that another word derived from the same root, Iman must mean faith and belief.
As applied to Muslims, it means one who has been inspired to believe and have faith in God. It draws its power from the inner most feeling and expression of sincerity of the heart.
Mumin Represents a True Believer in Islam
Often, while visiting the mosque on Friday during congregation prayer (jumuah) a visitor may hear the speaker refer to the crowed as "Mumin" instead of "Muslim." The two words carry different meanings.
The word "Muslim" is derived from the same word as "Islam" and thus, the term means "submission." The term "Muslim" can apply to all of creation according to Islamic faith; this is because in order for a thing to work it must submit to all the laws that govern existence – laws that were themselves created by God, according to Islam. Thus, everything from the smallest atom, and its various parts, to the largest star submits to the will of god. If not, they cease to exist, according to Muslim belief.
These laws pertain to everything – even the beating of the human heart. Muslims believe that since everything submits to God, everything is "Muslim" in its own unique way.
However, a "Mumin" is one who has willfully submitted to God through the inspiration that was given and has been internalized in the heart to serve God. In this willful servitude, the Mumin endeavors to protect and attend to every matter and every thought as if he/she is in the very presence of God.
In the end analysis, it can be said that a Mumin follows the inspiration of Al-Mumin and thus draws another step closer to becoming a soul at rest (mutmainna), and prepared at all times to return to its Lord while spending every waking moment in life living under the banner of Islam, as one who will live forever.
Sources:
- Abdullah Yusef Ali, The Holy Quran; With Arabic Text.
- Abdul Mannan Omar, Dictionary of The Holy Quran.
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