In the bustling world which is full of distractions, every Muslim experiences highs and lows in life. If you are going through such a phase of feeling an Iman dip, it is time to think.
It is true that no human is perfect; only Allah is. Therefore, Allah does not expect perfection from His worshipers. Instead, He wants us to strive to become better Muslims and increase our faith at all stages of life. He is Al-Rehamn and is always looking for the small steps that bring you closer to Him.
It is beautifully narrated in a hadith:
Abu Dharr reported in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2687: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Allah Almighty says: Whoever comes with a good deed will have the reward of ten like it and even more. Whoever comes with an evil deed will be recompensed for one evil deed like it, or he will be forgiven. Whoever draws close to Me by the length of a hand, I will draw close to him by the length of an arm. Whoever draws close to Me by the length of an arm, I will draw close to him by the length of a fathom. Whoever comes to Me walking, I will come to him running. Whoever meets Me with enough sins to fill the earth, not associating any partners with Me, I will meet him with as much forgiveness.”
Best Ways to Be a Good Muslim
How to be a better Muslim is a journey full of opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Here are some practical steps to help you on this path:
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Nail 5 Pillars of Islam
Islam is based on five important pillars. These pillars are like the building blocks of your faith. Without them, it’s hard to grow as a Muslim. These include:
- Shahada – the Declaration of Faith
- Salah – praying five times a day
- Zakat – practicing to support poor communities
- Fasting in Ramzan
- Hajj – offering at least once in life.
Once you engage in these pillars, you can become a better version of yourself.
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Read the Quran
Regularly reading and understanding the Holy Quran is one of the best ways to understand Islam and be a good Muslim. Even if you read a small portion of the Quran in a day, read it with your soul and heart. It is filled with Barakah, which is one of the best ways to lighten your soul and deepen your connection with the creator of this book. Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
‘’[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.” [38:29]
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Remember Allah in All Affairs
One of the key ways to become a better Muslim is by remembering Allah in all areas of your life. It is essential to align your actions, decisions, and intentions with the guidance and pleasure of Allah. This helps you stay on the right path and live a life that reflects your faith.
The concept of Tawheed (the oneness of Allah) plays a central role in this. It means recognizing that only Allah is worthy of worship, and He is the one you should turn to in every situation. When you pour your heart out to Allah and seek His help, you strengthen your connection with Him. Allah says in the Quran:
‘’And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that ‘There is no deity except Me, so worship Me.”
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Practice Modesty
People usually limit modesty to clothing only. However, in addition to dressing thoughtfully, it should be included in your behavior, actions, and interactions with others. You should practice humility in all your achievements.
There is a beautiful hadith that highlights the importance of modesty in Islam:
"Indeed, Allah is Modest, and He loves modesty." — Reported in Sahih Muslim
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Self-Acceptance
This is a very important step that includes accepting everything about yourself. It means you need to confront your insecurities and bad habits and try to eliminate them. Set realistic goals for yourself, and don't compare your journey with others.
Quran encourages you to accept both your strengths and weaknesses:
"And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it and inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness..." Surah Ash-Shams (91:7-10)
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Make Dua
According to Hadith ‘’The most excellent worship is Dua” (Sahih Al-Jami). Another Hadith says: “A slave becomes nearest to his Lord when he is in prostration. So increase supplications in prostrations.” (Sahih Muslim).
Therefore, apart from required prayers, connect to your Lord by reciting duas. Bow before Him for all your needs, whether it seems possible or not. He won’t disappoint you as He is Al-Wahab. In addition to gaining his blessings, you will always feel close to Allah.
In the Quran, Allah says,
Your Lord has proclaimed, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you..." {Quran 40:60}
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Follow the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW)
“He who loves my Sunnah has loved me, and he who loves me will be with me in Paradise.” -The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Tirmidhi)
To become a better Muslim, we need to follow the Sunnah and Hadith of the Holy Prophet SAW. He is a guiding light in all aspects of life. He has exemplified kindness and honesty and encouraged Muslims to do the same. His acts of charity, efforts of forgiveness, importance to social justice in the community, kindness to animals, respect for neighbors, patience, and gratitude are role models for us, and every Muslim should incorporate them in their daily lives.
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Increase your Islamic Knowledge
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” — Sunan Ibn Majah
Expanding your Islamic knowledge and enhancing your learning play a vital role in becoming a good Muslim. Study Hadiths and different Islamic books for this purpose. You can seek guidance from different mentors and Islamic scholars as well. Take advantage of social media platforms and connect with these scholars. Their insights on different topics will provide you with valuable advice.
In the Quran, Allah emphasizes distinction between those who have knowledge and those who don’t have. He says:
"Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only they will remember [who are people of understanding]." Surah Al-Zumar (39:9)
Final Words
To become a better Muslim, you need to make sincere efforts and have pure intentions. By taking small steps in the light of the Quran and Sunnah, you can deepen your faith and have a strong connection with your creator. Rejoice in being a Muslim, read different Islamic books and find comfort in worshiping Allah. May Allah guide you on this path of becoming a better version of yourself.