Our inner conversations, words, thoughts, and feelings determine the kind of life and reality we experience. If we occupy our minds with negative thoughts and expect difficulties and problems, we will draw them into our lives. If we constantly think of success we will achieve success. If we find it difficult to think positively, affirmations can help us change the way we think. Allah says:
وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
“Who is better in speech than the one who summons people unto God, and performed a good deed and says, ‘Truly I am of the believers.” (Surah Fussilat 41:33)
Positive Affirmations are statements that help us overcome negative and self-sabotaging thoughts. When we repent, believe, and act upon them, we gain inner strength and that’s how we start to make positive changes in our lives. The same goes for negative thoughts about ourselves. When we repeat them often, we become them. Allah says:
وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْغَافِلِينَ
“Remember your Lord morning and evening, deep in your heart with humility and with fear; and also in a low voice; do not be of those who are heedless.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:205)
Positive affirmations help purify our thoughts. They train our minds to stop over-focusing on the negatives and instead re-channel our minds to see the beauty that Allah has created us with – inside out. Eventually, our daily blessings hold no value and these negative thoughts continue to bother us; and sometimes lead to anxiety and chronic depression.
Here are some ways to live positive Islamic Affirmations:
- Call on Allah (SWT) whenever need His guidance
- Whenever feel overwhelmed keep it simple
- Take your precautions and rely on Allah
- Remember Allah as much as possible
- Allah gives more when you thankful
- Life purpose is to worship Allah
- Tests are a normal part of life
- Hope in Allah’s mercy
- Commit to positive thinking
- Live always thankful to Allah
- Always remember Allah’s grace
- When you turn to Allah, He turns to you
- Seek Allah’s help with patience and prayer
- Allah emphasizes His Mercy over other attributes
Contrary to popular belief, we have control over which thoughts we choose to follow. We may not have a choice over which particular thought occurs initially in our minds at a given time, but we do have a choice to either ignore it or pursue it. Our voluntary thoughts are nothing more than inward statements. Hence, the rule is that we should only engage good thoughts or keep our minds silent. Allah says:
وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ وَاصْبِرُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
“And obey Allah and His Messenger and do not quarrel, for then you will be weak in hearts and your power will depart, and be patient; surely Allah is with the patient.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:46)
Due to our outlook on life, we often fail to see Allah’s bounty. He may test us with ease just as He tests us with hardship. Let them motivate you to worship Allah more. So enjoy the light and warmth of the sun as it shines on you. Remember the same sun shines on people that have been stricken with greater problems than you. Allah says:
وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَسْكُتْ
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak goodness or remain silent.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6110)
Sometimes Satan will throw evil suggestions into our minds. These suggestions have no power over us unless we choose to act on them. If we follow the evil or negative train of thought, then it will lead us to a terrible end. Thus, when we find ourselves caught up in a bad line of thinking, we need to immediately replace these negative thoughts with positive inward statements to cancel their effects.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “And a tongue, and a pair of lips?” (Surah Al-Balad, 9)
- “If you give thanks, I will give you more…” (Quran14:7)
- “In the perspicuous Arabic tongue.” (Surah Ash-Shua, 195)
- “Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?” (Surah Al-Balad, 8)
- “And remove the impediment from my speech.” (Surah Ta-Ha, 27)
- “It is for Us to collect it and to promulgate it:” (Surah Al-Qiyama, 17)
- “With it came down the spirit of Faith and Truth.” (Surah Ash-Shua, 193)
- “To thy heart and mind, that thou mayest admonish.” (Surah Ash-Shua, 194)
- “O, my Lord! I do fear that they will charge me with falsehood.” (Surah Ash-Shura, 12)
- “Those who slander chaste women, indiscreet but believing, are cursed in this life and in the Hereafter: for them is a grievous Penalty.” (Surah An-Nur, 23)
- “On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to their actions.” (Surah An-Nur, 24)
- “So as for he who transgressed, and preferred the life of this world, then indeed hellfire will be his refuge.” (Quran 79: 37-39)
- “Verily, We have made this (Quran) easy, in thy tongue, in order that they may give heed.” (Surah Ad-Dukhan, 58)
- “Verily Allah knows those among you who keep back (men) and those who say to their brethren, “Come along to us”, but come not to the fight except for just a little while.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 18)
- “Move not thy tongue concerning the (Qur’an) to make haste therewith.” (Surah Al-Qiyama, 16)
Allah has created us with a purpose and it’s our duty to strive and fulfil that purpose. He has given us unique skills and qualities, which will help strengthen our self-confidence. Neither should we think low of ourselves nor become arrogant. Trust Allah to assist you in utilizing your amazing capabilities to succeed and help the Ummah. The secret to true happiness is being contented with everything Allah has given us. Allah says:
وَآتَاكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ
“…If you count the blessings of Allah, never will you be able to number them…” (Surah Ibrahim 14:34)
Being mindful of Allah, and pondering about our actions leads to improving oneself. Islam encourages us to take care of our body, mind, and soul in order for us to give the best version of ourselves. Ask Allah to help you improve in both faith and character. Having the right intention coupled with the right action will assist you further. Making constant Istighfar will make a way out of any hardship you’re in. So celebrate your {small and big} victories and always reward yourself. Allah says:
وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ
“And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer, and to practice regular charity; and that is the Religion, Right and Straight.” (Surah Al-Baiyinah 98:5)
Positive thinking and optimism are most important as they relate to our prayers, supplications, and acts of worship. A prayer or supplication that is offered with certainty that Allah will answer is far more effective and beneficial than a weak prayer. Positive thoughts are those that produce good feelings, good deeds, peace of mind, gratitude, tranquillity, contentment, and other positive emotional states. These are truthful thoughts about Allah, hope in the Hereafter, the prophets, our blessings, good deeds, and so on. Allah says:
إِنَّ مِنْ حُسْنِ إِسْلَامِ الْمَرْءِ تَرْكَهُ مَا لَا يَعْنِيهِ
“Verily, part of the perfection in Islam is for a person to leave what does not concern him.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2318)
Negative thoughts are those that produce bad feelings, anger, envy, jealousy, hatred, anxiety, depression, and other negative emotional states. These are thoughts about the world, our wealth, our status, people we do not like or who have wronged us, and so on. The cause of these thoughts is an attachment to the delusions of worldly and materialistic life that cloud the heart and prevent its purification. Allah says:
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
“My servants, you who have transgressed against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Truly Allah forgives all wrong actions. He is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)
Islam teaches us to direct our thoughts towards what is good and to ignore bad thoughts. Like outward statements, thoughts we pursue are simply inward statements that should be good or at least neutral. If we entertain a bad thought, we should follow it with several positive inward statements to cancel its effect. Positive thinking should lead to an optimistic outlook and good expectations of Allah and his mercy. These good expectations are the inner secret that makes our prayers and worship most effective and fulfilling.