that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "There are three things for which whomever has them, then he has tasted the sweetness of faith: The one for whom Allah and His Messenger are more beloved than anything else; whoever loves someone and he does not love him except for the sake of Allah, and whoever hates to return to disbelief after Allah has saved him from it, just as he hates to be thrown into fire."
The Book on Faith - Jami' at-Tirmidhi
Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2624
The Three Signs of Tasting Faith's Sweetness
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) delineated three fundamental qualities that indicate one has truly experienced the sweetness (ḥalāwah) of faith. This sweetness is not mere intellectual assent but a profound spiritual experience that transforms one's entire being.
First Sign: Supreme Love for Allah and His Messenger
"The one for whom Allah and His Messenger are more beloved than anything else." This signifies that love for the Divine and the Prophetic example must supersede all worldly attachments—wealth, family, status, and even one's own self. This love manifests as complete submission to Allah's commandments and unwavering adherence to the Sunnah of the Messenger (ﷺ).
Second Sign: Love for the Sake of Allah
"Whoever loves someone and he does not love him except for the sake of Allah." This is the foundation of brotherhood in Islam (Al-Ḥubb fī Allāh). Such love is pure, seeking no worldly benefit or tribal allegiance. It strengthens the community, fosters mutual support in righteousness, and is a means of attaining Allah's pleasure, as mentioned in other authentic narrations.
Third Sign: Abhorrence of Disbelief
"Whoever hates to return to disbelief after Allah has saved him from it, just as he hates to be thrown into fire." This demonstrates the perfection of faith (kamāl al-īmān). A true believer holds faith so dear that the thought of reverting to disbelief is as terrifying and abhorrent as being cast into a blazing fire. This ensures the believer's constant vigilance in protecting their faith from all that threatens it.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam at-Tirmidhi classified this hadith as ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ (good and authentic). Scholars explain that these three signs are interconnected. The first establishes the foundation of faith, the second reflects its social manifestation, and the third represents its protective safeguard. Together, they form a comprehensive picture of a living, tasted faith that brings true contentment and purpose to a believer's life.