Conviction

Conviction, or knowing something for certain can take on three levels.

The least is knowing it. It means that we got the news from somewhere about something. We made sure that our sources were authentic and that everything was reliable. Thus we got convinced that a certain event happened. This is known as ‘ilm’ul yaqeen’ or certainty in knowledge. An example would be a person bringing a news of a fire and we make sure from other people that a fire actually took place and also saw the smoke which convinced us of a fire somewhere. But there is still a possibility of it being wrong since our research may go wrong and therefore, the more we authenticate, the more certain we will become of the news being the truth.

The next level of conviction is known as ‘ayn’ul yaqeen’ which means knowing something by actually seeing it. So the example would be of us actually seeing the fire instead of just seeing the smoke. This certainty is logically more well grounded than ‘ilm’ul yaqeen’ since we actually saw the event in front of our eyes. However, since there is a distance between us and the reality, there is still the slightest possibility of us getting the wrong information (imagine things like optical illusions etc.). But the more angles we see, the more certain we get, since the chances for an illusion decrease as we increase our perspectives.

The final level of conviction is known as ‘haq’ul yaqeen’ which means the knowing the truth for certain by experiencing it. The example would be of us actually burning our finger in the fire or sticking our hand in the fire and feeling the heat. This conviction erases all doubts since we ourselves have now been part of the act. The more we are part of the act, the more were are convinced of its existence.

To summarize, the three levels of conviction are knowing, seeing, and experiencing.

As Muslims, it is our duty to gain as much of the ‘ilm’ul yaqeen‘ as we can in this world to convince ourselves of the hereafter and the unseen. We must try to gain as much authentic knowledge as we can so that we are saved from the punsihment when it really comes. We must always stay connected to the Qur’an and the authentic sunnah so that we are convinced that one day we will die. And when we see someone else’s death (ayn’ul yaqeen), our faith increases in the temporary nature of this life. And finally, when we ourselves face the reality of death, we are ready with all our deeds so that our ‘haq’ul yaqeen‘ becomes the mercy of Allah. Ameen.