The first main meaning is to be secure, safe, and free from fear,
The second is to be quiet and tranquil.
The third main meaning is to grant protection and to safeguard,and
The fourth is to be trustworthy, and the fifth main meaning is to believe in.
Linguistically mu’min points out to three concepts. One is emaan, which is to affirm something, and the opposite of it is to deny something.
Al Mu’min is the One who affirms and believes His oneness. Allah Himself bears witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him. [Quran, 3:18]
The other concept is that of aman, which means security, safety, and freedom from fear.
The word amaanah (translated as “a trust”) comes from the same root.
Al-Mu’min is the One who affirms and believes His oneness; He is the One who gives security and removes the opposite— which is fear— and is the best keeper of amaanaat, the One who is most faithful.
How can you live by this name?
1. Believe in Allah and His messengers.
Have emaan, which is your belief in Allah combined with action in following His commands and staying away from His prohibitions, and you will receive His aman (security) in this world and the next. Whoever brings a good deed will have better than it (ie, a better reward) and they will be, on that day, at peace during the terror. [Quran, 27:89] So read the Quran often, give sadaqah, and focus on your prayers so Al-Mu’min will give you safety on the Day of Judgement.
2. Believe in the promises of Al-Mu’min.
The people of Paradise will say: All praise and thanks is only for Allah, the One who fulfilled His promise to us. [Quran, 39:74] Believe that the promise of Al-Mu’min will always come true. For example His promise is that sadaqah will not decrease wealth, so trust in this fact and fulfil your promises to your best ability.
3. Ask Al-Mu’min for aman in difficult situations.
Al-Mu’min is the only source of aman so ask Him only to grant you safety, as the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said to Abu Bakr radiyallahu ‘anhu: Be not afraid, surely Allah is with us. [Quran, 9:40] No matter how hard the situation, have emaan and ask Al-Mu’min to give you aman– peace and security— in your heart.
4. Take care of trusts.
The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: The believer is one from whose tongue and hand the believers are safe and: The believer is one in whom the people would entrust their blood and wealth. [At-Tirmidhee] An example is to make sure you don’t harm others by your tongue through backbiting.
The Prophet (PBUH) was called al-ameen, the trustworthy one, strive to be known for your trustworthiness. Return amaanaat (trusts) safely, such as borrowed items or even by keeping secrets entrusted to you. Umar ibn al-Khattab radiyallahu ‘anhu said: If your brother mentions something to you in private, then walks away, it is an amaanah (trust) even if he didn’t instruct you not to inform anyone. [Ibn Muflih’s Adaab Ash-Sharee’ah] Your body is also an amaanah given to you by Allah ‘azza wa jall, so make an effort to use it in the right way.
5. Ask Al-Mu’min.
Ask Al-Mu’min to bless you with emaan until your last breath and to adorn you with the characteristics of the mu’minoon (believers) as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah and in turn study these features so you can work on adopting them. When you are scared turn to Al-Mu’min for safety. When your emaan is low ask Him to strengthen it. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam taught this supplication (part of the full supplication mentioned in the morning and evening remembrance: Allahumma-stur ‘awraatee wa aamin raw’aatee. O Allah, veil my weaknesses and set at ease my dismay (grant me aman. [Ibn Maajah, Abu Dawud]
O Allah, Al-Mu’min, we know that You are the Source of Faith and Giver of safety. Bless us with strong emaan, lead us in taking care of our trusts and fulfilling our promises, and adorn us with all the characteristics of Your beloved believers. Grant us steadfastness and safety in this world and the Hereafter, and make us of those who enjoy the ultimate safety of Paradise, Ameen!
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
And Allah knows Best.