The Increase and Decrease of Faith.

Question:
Does faith vary? Does faith decrease? Is faith in the time of the Companions stronger than in our present time?

Answer:
Answer: There is no doubt that faith increases and decreases. It increases through obedience and decreases through disobedience. It increases through obedience, as Allah the Exalted said: “But as for those who believed, it increased them in faith, and they rejoiced,” and “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 in their Lord they place their trust.” So faith increases through righteous deeds and decreases through sins, until it becomes the weight of a mustard seed. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Faith has seventy-odd branches, the highest of which is the testimony that there is no god but Allah, and the lowest of which is removing a harmful object from the road, and modesty is a branch of faith.” This indicates that faith has a highest point and a lowest point. In another hadith, he said, “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.” In a narration, it is added, “And there is no faith behind that, not even the weight of a mustard seed.” This indicates that faith weakens and decreases until it becomes the weight of a mustard seed.