We must all become better Muslims and continue to learn and practice all the things that make us better Muslims. To be a good Muslim and to please Allah requires work and effort. To be a true Muslim, a person must practise Islam and follow the instructions religiously. The lines below are essential tips that can help you become a better Muslim. Allah says:
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship only Him and that you are devoted to your parents if one or both of them reach old age in your life. do not tell them a word of disrespect, do not shout to them but address them in terms of honour.“ (Surah Al-Isra, 17-23)
To become a good Muslim, it is essential for a Muslim to first know the attributes and characteristics that a good Muslim possesses. Knowledge of these key elements can only be achieved if the person begins to learn about Islamic rules and principles. Keeping in touch with your religious practices is something that will strengthen your faith extremely. Read the Qur’an as much as possible, Find a collection of Hadiths and read it regularly. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“O you who believe! (Do) not put (yourselves) forward – before Allah and His Messenger you consciously revere (Allah) and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Hearer, All-Knower.” (Surah al-Hujurat, 49:1)
Islam is the perfect way of life for those who understood it in its pure form and the Quran is the best guide for the whole of humanity to have a better life in this world as well as in the Akhira (the hereafter). A Muslim must learn the Quran with as much understanding as possible and also gain knowledge of the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) Hadith to know and stay on the path of justice. Allah says:
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ فَإِذَا اطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا
“Then when you (have) finished the prayer, then remember Allah standing and sitting and (lying) on your sides. But when you are secure then establish the (regular) prayer. Indeed, the prayer is on the believers prescribed (at) fixed times.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:103)
Following are some interesting insights from the Holy Quran to become a better Muslim, to become a better human being:
- The most selfish one letter word: I – Avoid it!. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful. (Quran 4:36)
- The most satisfying two-letter word: WE – Use it! Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Allah’s guidance is the ˹only˺ true guidance. And we are commanded to submit to the Lord of all worlds, establish prayer, and be mindful of Him. To Him, you will all be gathered together. (Quran 6:71-72)
- The most poisonous three-letter word: EGO – Kill it! He replied, “I have been granted all this because of some knowledge I have.” Did he not know that Allah had already destroyed some from the generations before him who were far superior to him in power and greater in accumulating ˹wealth˺? There will be no need for the wicked to be asked about their sins. (Quran 28:78)
- The most used four-letter word: LOVE – Value it! And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between your compassion and mercy. Surely this is significant for people who reflect. (Quran 30:21)
- The most pleasing five-letter word: SMILE – Keep it! Moreover, He is the One Who brings about joy and sadness. (Quran 53:43)
- The fastest spreading six-letter word: RUMOUR – Ignore it! O, believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that! And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ˹the˺ Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful. (Quan 49:12)
- The hardest working seven-letter word: SUCCESS – Achieve it! by men who are not distracted—either by buying or selling—from Allah’s remembrance, or performing the prayer, or paying alms tax. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will tremble, ˹hoping˺ that Allah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and increase them out of His grace. And Allah provides for whomever He wills without limit. (Quran 24:37-38)
- The most enviable eight-letter word: JEALOUSY – Distance it! And do not crave what Allah has given some of you over others. Men will be rewarded according to their deeds and women ˹equally˺ according to theirs. Rather, ask Allah for His bounties. Surely Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things. (Quran 4:32)
- The most powerful nine-letter word: KNOWLEDGE (knowledge of Islam) – Acquire it!By the Quran, rich in wisdom! (Quran 36:2)
- The most essential ten-letter word: CONFIDENCE (Trust in Allah’s Guidance) – Trust it! Surely those who believe and do good, their Lord will guide them ˹to Paradise˺ through their faith, and rivers will flow under their feet in the Gardens of Bliss.. (Quran 10:9)
- Control your anger and jealousy
- Be thankful and appreciative
- Remembering Allah (Dhikr)
- Sit with the Good Muslim
- Stop making excuses
- Set goals for yourself
- Respect your parents
- Explore your talents
- Practice self-control
- Believing in Allah
- Maintain your Identity
- Work On Your Character
- Stay away from extremism
- Should try to go to the mosque
- Rejoice in the Light of God’s Love
- Establish an Islamic culture at home
- Keep away from debates and arguments
- Affirm In Your Heart That God Loves You
وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا
“And He will provide for him from where not he thinks. And whoever puts his trust upon Allah, then He (is) sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah (will) accomplish His purpose. Indeed, Allah has set for everything a measure.” (Surah At-Talaq 65:3)
Being a Muslim is a huge part of your identity now. That doesn’t mean you can’t barbeque with your friends or watch football on Sundays. If there are things in your culture that do not directly contradict with basic Islamic creed, then you are welcome to keep those things in your life. You do not need to start wearing Arab or Indian clothing. As long as your clothes cover what they are supposed to cover, you are in the clear. Allah says:
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
“Do think the people that they will be left because they say, “We believe” and they will not be tested?” (Surah Al-‘Ankabut 29:2)
Make sure you and your family have an Islamic culture in your home. Everyone in your home should have prayer beads, prayer mats and should offer the Salah regularly on time. You should do all those things in your home that comes from Islamic culture. Muslims must strive to be better Muslims so that, with time, he or she becomes better Muslims and the Day of Judgment rises among the blessed. To become a good Muslim, you will need to take a holistic approach and gradually begin to adopt Islamic instructions in your life in all its aspects. May Allah help us become better Muslims! Ameen.
