Actually, as we examine the meaning of mu’min more closely, we come to realize why it is elevated to prominence as one of GOD’s Beautiful Names. Faith, as I said earlier (Chapter 11), is active affirmation. We tend to think of it as affirmation without evidence, as opposed to knowledge, which is based entirely on evidence. But this denigration of faith is a mistake. Faith without visible evidence is referred to as al-imanu bil-ghaib – faith in the unseen, as in Q2:2-3:
That is the Book in which there is no doubt, a guide to those who are aware, / Those with faith in the unseen, who organize the rites of worship, and who spend from what We have provided them.
ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
If faith by itself meant belief without evidence, then in the unseen would be redundant.
Faith on the basis of indisputable evidence – what we would call ‘knowledge’ – is still referred to as faith in Q32:28-29:
They say, “When is this victorious disclosure if you have been truthful?” Tell them, “On the day of victory, their faith will not avail the ones who had been in denial, nor will they be given a reprieve.”
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَى هَذَا الْفَتْحُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
قُلْ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ لاَ يَنفَعُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِيمَانُهُمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يُنْظَرُونَ
The victorious disclosure mentioned here is not the conquest of Makkah, but rather Resurrection Day, when all that was hidden becomes manifest. On that Day, everyone has faith . . . but for some it comes too late.
When their messengers approached them with clear signs, they [the nations of the past] were jubilant about their knowledge, while what they had ridiculed surrounded them. / Then when they saw Our castigation, they said, “We believe in GOD Alone, and we reject the partners we ascribed to Him.” / Their faith, however, did not benefit them when they saw Our castigation; [such is] the normal way of GOD that always comes to pass among His slaves. And there the ones who had denied were lost. (Q40:83-85)
فَلَمَّا جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَرِحُوا بِمَا عِنْدَهُمْ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُون
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ وَكَفَرْنَا بِمَا كُنَّا بِهِ مُشْرِكِينَ
فَلَمْ يَكُ يَنْفَعُهُمْ إِيمَانُهُمْ لَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي قَدْ خَلَتْ فِي عِبَادِهِ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْكَافِرُونَ
It is easy, too easy, to affirm what is undeniable. There is nothing creative or adventurous about such a faith, which is why on Judgement Day it has no value. And creativity is at the heart of what GOD affirms by being the ‘First Believer’.
When I say, “I believe you,” I am not remarking on the adequacy or inadequacy of my knowledge concerning you. I may not know you at all, or I may be as familiar with you as one human being can be with another. We see couples who have lived together for decades and still cannot trust each other. Rather I am affirming your character or essential nature and my commitment to that. I am constructing a positive image of you in my heart and mind. And so it is with AL-LAH. He has affirmed our essential value by creating us, by willing us into being. He committed Himself to us with that originating breath of His, even with His Foreknowledge of our transgressions.
Then He proportioned him [the human being] and breathed His spirit into him, and made for you your hearing, sight, and hearts. How little do you offer thanks! (Q32:9)
ثُمَّ سَوَّاهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِنْ رُوحِهِ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ السَّمْعَ وَالأَبْصَارَ وَالأَفْئِدَةَ قَلِيلاً مَا تَشْكُرُونَ
(Notice how, with His Spirit’s presence, the indefinite him or it of general humanity becomes a personal, intelligent, and morally responsible you.)
The GOD You Already Know 