Cleanse your heart of envy and jealousy

SPIRITUALITY IN ISLAM

The human being has been placed on earth as a Divinely-appointed custodian tasked with spreading goodness and forbidding evil and injustice. The human mission is to restore and preserve the rights of all creation, including all humanity, animals, the environment, and even one’s own body.

“No one besides Allah can rescue a soul from hardship.” (Quran 53:58)

A good deed is defined as an act of kindness that would benefit another individual other than one’s self. More importantly, in Islam, good deeds are recognized as acts for the sake of pleasing God.  When a person commits to engaging in a good deed, he or she reserves his or her intention for God and does not expect recognition or any reward in return.

“Only in the remembrance of Allah (SWT) will your heart find peace.” (Quran 13:28)

Spirituality is one’s connection with his Creator. It is one of the natural needs of human beings to identify themselves and feel contact with the One who created them and is in charge of their lives. As we grow up, we get caught up in a great number of worldly affairs and our connection with our Lord weakens. Spiritual development is often neglected by us when, in fact, it needs to be worked on continuously.

Below is a list of steps to help you in your spiritual development and encourage a stronger bond with Allah;

  1. Make sure you never skip any obligatory prayers. Take out time whether you are at the office or at home, playing or sleeping, offer your salah every time.
  2. Try your best (absolute best) to pray each salah as soon as the time for it commences. Also, pray in the congregation. If it is not possible to go to a mosque, gather the Muslims around you and pray together.
  3. Once you are firm with obligatory prayers, start praying Sunnah as well.
  4. Recite Qur’an every day. If you cannot take out much time, start with five ayahs each day. The cleansing effect of everyday recitation is incredibly amazing.“[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.” (Al Qur’an 38:29)
  5. If you do not understand Arabic, take out some time to read a translation of the Quran as well. You may download some tafsir lectures on your phone and listen to them on your way to and back from work or school. This helps you understand Allah’s words better and is very likely to bring you closer to Him.
  6. Ponder on Allah’s words. Observe the things He created. The truth of His existence and power will be felt forcefully.
  7. Charity is a crucial step in spiritual development. Give out what Allah has blessed you with.
  8. Make conscious efforts to realize the blessings you have. The small things which are so often taken for granted must be acknowledged to be able to be thankful to the One who bestowed them upon you. Thank Allah for at least one blessing each day. They are uncountable!
  9. Repent! As humans, we sin, intentionally and unintentionally. Ask for His forgiveness as much as possible. If you know your sins, you are likely to make conscious efforts to avoid them.
  10. Remember Allah Ta’ala as much as possible. Tasbih and zikr help one feel closer to His Lord.
  11. Make dua. Ask for everything you want from Allah Ta’ala. Your efforts and dua, on one hand, will help you achieve your desires and, on the other hand, will boost your spirituality.Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)” (Al Qur’an 40:60)
  12. Learn some verses from Qur’an and recite them in your prayers. You must remember some of them by heart already, but learn some more and know their meanings. Reciting different verses in your Salah, especially the ones you understand, help you concentrate on your prayers better.
  13. Learn duas for everyday tasks, like sleeping, eating or travelling. These duas help you remember Allah Ta’ala and also helps you acknowledge the blessings He has provided you with.
  14. Talk to Him in solitude. Pour out your heart’s desires and sufferings to Him. He listens and can help you. Trust Him and let Him be your confidante.
  15. Volunteer to help those in need. Your Lord has blessed you with knowledge, education and other facilities; utilize them to help the ones who are less privileged. Such a step helps you realize your blessings, develop empathy and be down to earth.
  16. Read about the life of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H), his companions, and other Prophets, too. Their lives are perfect embodiments of spirituality, faith, and thankfulness.
  17. Make sure you are aware of all that is halal and haram. Your income, food, and actions must all fall within the limits of halal as are mentioned in the Quran and Hadith.
  18. Practice what you preach. Do not be a hypocrite; be true to yourself and others. Hypocrisy is despised by Allah Ta’ala.
  19. Do not upset Allah Ta’ala to please others. You must be sure to make your Creator your priority and pleasing Him should be your prime concern.
  20. Cleanse your heart of envy and jealousy. Understand that Allah distributes His blessings among His creatures and He knows what is best for whom. Do not hate anyone for his success or happiness; find yours in what Allah has blessed you with. “And he made you custodians upon the earth.” (Quran 27:62)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once told a companion who was praying throughout the night,

“Verily, your Lord has a right over you, and your family has a right over you, and your body has a right over you. To fulfil each right.” (Sahih Bukhari)

“But those who were sure that they were going to meet Allah said, ‘How many a small force has triumphed over a much greater one by Allah’s permission! Allah is with the steadfast.” (Quran 2: 249)

Keeping consistent is very important as this eliminates any original inhibitions one has of the habit. Mostly, habits are done on a daily basis, so with each good deed, it is best to have it incorporated into a daily routine. Spirituality provides you with incredible peace of mind; strive each day to achieve your spiritual goals.

“Allah is never unjust in the least degree. If there is any good (done), He doubles it and gives from His Own self a great reward.” (Quran 4: 40)

Always remind yourself of the rewards in the Hereafter and continuously supplicate for help from God to successfully live in this world and the world to come, as this is definitely one of the best ways for self-motivation.