‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, “None of you is a believer till his desire follows what I have brought.” He transmitted it in Sharh al-sunna ; and an-Nawawi said in his Arba’in, “This is a sound tradition which we have transmitted in Kitab al-hujja with a sound isnad.”
Commentary on the Hadith of Faith
This noble tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes a fundamental principle of Islamic faith: complete submission to divine revelation. The statement "None of you is a believer till his desire follows what I have brought" indicates that true faith requires aligning one's personal inclinations, preferences, and worldly desires with the guidance brought by the Messenger of Allah.
The Nature of Complete Faith
Imam al-Nawawi, in his Forty Hadith, confirms the authenticity of this tradition, noting its sound chain of transmission. The scholars explain that this hadith establishes that faith is not merely verbal affirmation or ritual performance, but requires the heart's complete submission to Islamic teachings.
When personal desires conflict with divine commandments, the believer must prioritize what Allah and His Messenger have brought over their own inclinations. This represents the highest level of faith known as "Ihsan" - worshipping Allah as if you see Him.
Practical Implications
This teaching applies to all aspects of life: beliefs, worship, transactions, morals, and social interactions. The believer constantly examines their desires against the Quran and Sunnah, submitting whenever conflict arises.
Scholars note this doesn't mean the complete absence of natural desires, but rather their regulation according to divine law. The perfected believer is one whose natural inclinations become aligned with Islamic guidance through spiritual training and constant vigilance.