A soul like living thing needs food to feed on and to respond in accordance. Feeding toxic and illegal things makes it rusted and despondent which eventually trap us in the tribulations of Satan. On the contrary, feeding it with positive food turns it into an enlivened soul keeping the faith of a person alive. Allah says:

الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

“Those to whom the people said: Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them. But it only increased them in faith, and they said: Sufficient for us is Allah and He is an excellent guardian.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:173)

To be able to succeed both in this world and the hereafter, a believer has to achieve much more than just declaring Iman (Faith) and observing obligatory religious actions. Regarding this sensitive matter, Allah SWT says in the Holy Quran: Allah says:

وَلَمَّا رَأَى الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الْأَحْزَابَ قَالُوا هَٰذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَصَدَقَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ۚ وَمَا زَادَهُمْ إِلَّا إِيمَانًا وَتَسْلِيمًا

“When the believers saw the companies, they said: This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth. And it only increased them in faith and acceptance.” (Surah al-Ahzab 33:22)

Islam, a religion of peace advises Muslims and all the faith bearers to lay trust in Allah and feed their soul and heart with the sheer remembrance of Him. In a broad sense, the food for the soul is Dhikr, the remembrance of Allah. That which enriches and gives life to our soul is the constant remembrance of Allah. Allah says:

فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

“When you have made the decision, then rely upon Allah. Verily, Allah loves those who trust Him.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:159)

Among the easiest ways of always remembering Allah is to keep Him in our minds all the time. Before we take every step, every decision, every moment we think about Allah and do that which He wants. Throughout the day make it a habit to remember Allah all the time. It will take time, but it will arrive in Insha’Allah. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ

“O you who believe, fear Allah as it is His right to be feared and do not die except while you are Muslims.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:102)

Be careful what you feed your soul, here are some reasons to follow them:

1. Be careful and avoid arguing, even if you are in the right
2. Be careful and speak the truth, even if it is against you
3. Be careful and do not degrade through your words
4. Be careful you cannot control your careless words
5. Be careful and do not argue about bad-mouthing
6. Be careful taqwa is to obtain blessings of Allah
7. Be careful taqwa is out of love and fear of Allah
8. Be careful and control of worldly desires
9. Be careful and think before you speak
10. Be careful and try to impress people
11. Be careful words cannot be taken back
12. Be careful and try to achieve Allah’s love
13. Be careful and remove the fear of enraging
14. Be careful and makes things easy in daily life
15. Be careful taqwa strive for the pleasure of Allah
16. Be careful and  remove the fear of material loss
17. Be careful and  remove the fear of social contacts
18. Be careful and  activate derive the pleasure of Allah
19. Be careful and do not swear or use obscene language
20. Be careful and do not break confidences with your tongue

Ego is the main obstacle in acquiring good in our lives because it forces us to be selfish and allow us to think for ourselves merely. Islam teaches to be kind to all and sacrifice one’s ego in order to remain humble as with gross ego, one cannot achieve what Allah and Quran have commanded. Fasting is the best practice to starve ego as Allah says in the Quran: Allah says:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith, and they rely upon their Lord.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:2)

The sole purpose of the formation of the human race by the Creator of the universe is to adore His Name and achieve the due level of uprightness and virtue. As the Almighty Lord says in His Sacred Scripture: Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّكُمْ فُرْقَانًا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ

“O you who believe, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove your sins and forgive you, for Allah is the possessor of great bounty.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:29)

Charity is the third pillar of Islam and is one way of keeping this candle lighted for others and for you as well. Charity is a donation to the deserving people for the sake of Allah in order to benefit those who are deprived of what Allah has blessed you with. Charity is soul purification because it instils humbleness and tears ego. Charity is sharing smiles, a benevolent gift for humanity, who do well have good.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

• “They have eyes wherewith they see not, …” (Al-Araf 179)
• “Truly in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest. ” (Quran 13:28)
• “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Quran, 51:56)
• “Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Surah Al-Baqara, 38)
• “Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.” (Quran, 17:9)
• “Those who fear Allah, when a thought of evil from Satan assaults them, bring Allah to remembrance, when lo! they see (aright)!.” (Al-Araf 201)
• “Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” (Quran, 3:8)
• “The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children. But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.” (Quran, 26: 88-89)
• “And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive to Allah.” (Quran 2:45)
• “He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself. And mentions the name of his Lord and prays.” (Quran, 87: 14-15)

The feelings of freedom are bliss which is achieved when a Muslim totally surrender himself to the will of God. Submitting oneself free from dependency keeps a person self-esteem alive. Soul intoxicates when a person all the time pleads in front of others and asks for their help instead of the exalted deity who is the Omnipotent and has the power to award anything. Allah says:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ

“Whoever fears Allah, then Allah will make for him a way out from a place he does not expect.” (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)

Quran contains such teachings and instructions which are a great source of enlightenment for the entire world population and not just Muslims. It shows the correct way of living in every aspect of life, thus, leading to ultimate success. The Gracious God says in one of the Quranic Ayats: Allah says:

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

“Fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend in charity, for it is better for yourselves. Whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul, it is those who will be successful.” (Surah At-Taghabun 64:16)

The prime and foremost purpose of revealing the Quran is supervision and legitimate guidance in every core issue of life. In short, life on earth is full of trials and tests that one has to go through and keep its mind and spirit on the rightful track of the Religion of Peace. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا

“O you who believe, fear Allah and speak words of truth.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:70)

Allah is the creator and sustainer and knows what will satisfy His worshipper’s heart hence sending Quran as a precise meditation for Muslims. Towards one’s origin, one finds peace and contentment, in the same way, hearts find solace in the remembrance of Allah.