By Mamarinta-Omar
Mababaya and Dr. Norlain Dindang
The
ideal Muslims in Islâm are those
who possess the characteristics or qualities of believers as defined in the
Qur’ân and the Sunnah. The
true Islâmic personality of believing Muslims, as defined in the Qur’ân and
the Sunnah, embraces their total beings. This covers their relations to their Rabb
(Only Cherisher and Sustainer), to themselves, to
their respective families (parents, spouses and children), to
their relatives, neighbors and friends, to
their respective communities, as well as to the society as a whole.
As much as possible, we Muslims
must strive to attain total personality development for the pleasure of Allâh
the Almighty so that we attain ultimate rewards and success.
In order to be rewarded, we must work for our total personality
development in accordance with the Qur’ân and the Sunnah.
It is a must that we obey Allâh
and His
Messenger (s.a.w).
Allâh
the Most High commands us:
“O you who believe! Obey
Allâh, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) and render not vain your deeds.”
(47:33)
From the above divine
injunction, the criteria for personality development must be based on the Qur’ân
and the Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.), Allâh's Messenger to the whole humanity,
possesses an exalted standard of
character (i.e., sublime morals) (Qur’ân 68:4) and is an excellent example
for us to follow. Allâh the
Almighty tells us that His Messenger (s.a.w)
is the best model for us to follow. He
says:
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad )
you have an excellent example to follow for him who hopes in (meeting
with) Allâh and the Last Day, and remembers Allâh much.
(33:21)
In an authentic Hâdîth we read that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
himself said:
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.)
said, “I have been sent (as a
Messenger) in the best of all generations of Adam’s offspring since the
Creation.” (Bukhâri
4/757)
For our guidance and success, we
should follow Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.)
who has the best personality. Allâh the Exalted tells us:
“Those who follow the
Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own
(Scriptures);
¾
in the Torah and the Gospel; for he commands them what is just and forbids them
what is evil. He allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and
prohibits them from what is bad (and impure).
He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are
upon them. So it is those who
believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down
with him,¾
it is they who will prosper.” (7: 157)
As Muslims, we must
strive to develop our personality by having the best manners and character as
defined in the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. The
reason for this is when we develop and excel in our Islâmic personality, we
become among the righteous believers who will attain the ultimate success in the
eternal world to come. Allâh promises the believers and those who do righteous deeds everlasting
reward, which is Paradise. He
says:
“But those who believe and
do deeds
of righteousness We shall
soon admit them to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath,
¾ to dwell therein forever.
Allâh’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allâh’s?”
(4:122)
“But those who believe and
work righteousness and humble themselves before their Rabb they will be
Companions of the Garden to dwell therein for aye!” (11:23)
“But whoever believes and
works righteousness he shall have a goodly reward and easy will be his task as
We order it by Our command." (18:88)
When Allâh, the Almighty,
rewards us Paradise we attain our ultimate Goal.
That is to be able to see Allâh.
The greatest bliss in Paradise is the Good Pleasure of Allâh,
which is the supreme triumph (9:72).
We will be very pleased to see Allâh; and the Almighty will also be pleased with us (98:8).
Allâh, the Exalted, says:
“Allâh has promised to
Believers, men and women, Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein ,and
beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting stay.
But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allâh.
That is the supreme triumph.” (9:72)
“The reward is with Allâh:
Gardens of Eternity, beneath which, rivers flow. They will dwell therein forever.
Allâh well pleased with them, and they with Him
¾
all this for such as fear their Rabb.” (98:8)
In addition to the above Qur’ânic
Ayât, are the following Ahâdîth, which should inspire us
more to spend our time wisely (and not to waste it) to developing our character
for the pleasure of Allâh:
Abdullah Bin Amr (r.a.)
narrated that Allâh's Messenger
(s.a.w.)
said, “…The best amongst you
are those who have the best manners and character.”
(Bukhâri 4/759)
Abu Hurairah (r.a.)
narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said, “Among the Muslims the most perfect, as regards his faith, is the one
whose character is excellent, and the best among you are those who treat their
wives well.” (Tirmidhi
628)
Abu Darda (r.a.)
narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said, “There is nothing heavier than good character put in the scale of a
believer on the Day of Resurrection.” (Abu Dawud, 4781)
Abu Darda (r.a.)
narrated
that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said, “Nothing is weightier in the scales of a believer on the Day of Judgment
than his good behavior. Allâh
treats with displeasure a person who is given to loose and vulgar talk.”
(Tirmidhi 626)
Abu Umamah
t
narrated
that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said, “I guarantee a house in the
surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the
right; , a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he
were joking; and a house in the
upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.”
(Abu Dawud 4782)
Abdur Rahman Bin Ghanam
t
and Asma Bint Yazid narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said, “The best servants of Allâh are those who, when they are seen, cause
Allâh to be remembered. The worst servants of Allâh are those who go about
slandering, who separate friends, and seek to distress the upright."
(Tirmidhi 4871 and Ahmad)
We Muslims must follow the
Messenger Allâh
(s.a.w.)
who has the best personality and who calls people to Islâm.
We must follow the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
because by doing so, we please Allâh the Almighty and earn His ultimate reward. We must work hard to follow the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
whose mission is to convey the Message of Islâm.
Let us help one another in enjoining what is right and forbidding what is
wrong. The Almighty not only
praises those Muslims (men and women) who enjoin what is right and forbid what
is wrong but also promises His Mercy to them:
“You are the best
of peoples, evolved for mankind. You
enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allâh...”
(3:110)
“The Believers, men and
women, are protectors, one to another. They enjoin what is just, and forbid what
is evil. They observe regular
prayers, pay zakat and obey Allâh and His Messenger. On them will Allâh pour His mercy: for Allâh is Exalted in
power, Wise.” (9:71)
Certainly, it is righteousness
to develop our personality and be effective Du’ât based on the Qur’ân
and the Sunnah by enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.
We Muslims must work for righteous deeds especially through effective
speeches in conveying the Message of Islâm
so that we will be among those whom Allâh
will admit in Paradise.
“Truly, Allâh will admit
those who believe and work righteous deeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers
flow. They shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their
garments there will be of silk. For they have been guided (in this life) to the
purest of speeches; they have been guided to the Path of Him Who is Worthy of
(all) Praise.” (22:23-24)
Let us show our love and
devotion to Allâh
and earn His ultimate reward by following His Messenger
(s.a.w.).
We
must remember that one way by which we show love to our Creator
is by following the Prophet
(s.a.w.).
Allâh the Most High tells us:
“Say: "If you do love
Allâh follow me: Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins for Allâh is
Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." (3:31)
Let us follow the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
in conveying Islâm to
others, as it is his very Sunnah. To
do this, we must have first of all the correct knowledge of Islâm .
This is not only essential but also a divine commandment from Allâh,
which we must do. The Most
High says:
Say (O Muhammad): “This is
my Way; I do invite unto Allâh with a certain knowledge. And whoever follows me (must also invite others to Allâh,
Oneness of Allâh with sure knowledge). Glory to Allâh!
And I am not of the polytheists.”
(12: 108)
The above injunction implies
that to be successful in our Da’wah, we must have the correct knowledge
of the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. These
divine sources of knowledge provide us the essential qualities and
characteristics of ideal Muslims (men and women) which we must develop in
ourselves as Muslims.
The
Qur’ân and the Sunnah/authentic Ahâdîth guide Muslims on how to
develop completely as the best among mankind who deserve Allâh’s eternal
reward. Both sources of Islâmic
knowledge tell us the criteria of ideal Muslims in relation to their Rabb,
themselves, parents, families, neighbors, friends, and respective societies. We
Muslims must strive to learn how to develop all these aspects of human relations
and character, especially our relations with our Creator.
The following are just some of the Islâmic teachings that describe the
qualities of ideal Muslims in relation with our Rabb based on authentic
sources:
1. The
ideal Muslims firmly believe (without any element of doubt) and assert that
there is no God (worthy to be worshipped) but Allâh and that Muhammad
(r.a.) is the Messenger of Allâh:
“That is Allâh your Rabb
(Only God, Cherisher and Sustainer)! There
is no god but He, the Creator of all things; then you worship Him: and He has
power to dispose of all affairs. No
vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is Subtle
well-aware.” (6:102-103).
“Muhammad is not the
father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allâh, and the Seal of
the Prophets. And Allâh has full
knowledge of all things.” (33:40)
Abû Hurairah (r.a.)
narrated: “I said ‘O Allâh’s Messenger!
Who will be the luckiest person who will gain your intercession on the day of
Resurrection?’” Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.)
said: “O Abû Hurairah! I have thought that none will ask me about it before
you, as I know your eagerness to (learn) the
Hâdîth.
The luckiest person who will have my intercession on the Day of Resurrection
will be one who said sincerely from (the bottom of) his heart, ‘Lâ ilaha illa
Allâh.’ (‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allâh.’).”
(Bukhâri 1/ 98)
Abû Hurairah (r.a.)
(or Abû Said Al Khudri)
narrated that … Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.)
remarked, “I bear testimony that there is no god but Allâh and I am the
Messenger of Allâh. The man who meets his Rabb without harboring any doubt
about these two (truths) will never be kept away from Paradise.”
(Muslim 42)
2.
The ideal Muslims know the reasons why Allâh the Most High has
created them and sincerely perform their purpose in life with devotion:
“I have created not the
jinn and men except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any
provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allâh is the
All-Provider, Owner of Power, Most Strong.”
(51:56-58)
“So glorify the praises of
your Rabb and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).
And worship your Rabb (Sustainer) until there comes unto you the Hour
that is certain (i.e., death).”
(15:98-99)
“And they have been
commanded no more than this: to worship Allâh, offering Him sincere devotion,
being True (in Faith); establish
regular prayer; and to give Zakat. And that is the Religion Right and
Straight.” (98:5)
3.
They aspire and work to attain ultimate success in the eternal world through
belief and righteousness by worshipping no one but Allâh
Alone. They humble
themselves to Him Who is the True Rabb of the world and refrain from
associating any partner with Him, fearing to commit the most heinous sin (i.e.,
Shirk) :
“O mankind!
Worship your Guardian Rabb, Who created you and those who came before you
that you may become righteous.” (2:21)
“But those who believe and
work righteousness and humble themselves before their Rabb they will be
Companions of the Garden to dwell therein for aye!”
(11:23)
“Allâh forgives not that
partners should be set up with Him; but He forgives anything else, to whom He
pleases; to set up partners with Allâh is to devise a sin most heinous
indeed.” (4:48)
4.
Their ultimate Goal in the end is towards Allâh
(5:17-18 and 6:164) so they worship Allâh sincerely and properly the way Prophet Muhammad
prayed because they
believe that without proper prayers they cannot be considered Muslims:
“Successful indeed are the
believers,
¾
those who humble themselves in their prayers... and who (strictly) guard their
prayers. These will be the heirs, who will inherit Paradise. They will dwell
therein forever.” (23:9-11)
Buraydah ibn Al-Hasib (r.a.)
narrated that Allâh's Messenger said: “The covenant that
is between us and them is (on the basis of) prayer, so he who (abandons it, in
fact shows) infidelity (to Allâh). “
(Tirmidhi 574; Ahmad, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)
5.
They offer their prayers regularly and on time and frequently supplicate to Allâh
I
knowing that supplication is a form
of prayer:
‘Abdullâh bin Mas‘ûd
narrated: “I asked the Prophet (s.a.w.)
,
“Which deed is dearest to Allâh?” He replied, “To offer the Salât
(prayers) at their early fixed times.” I asked, “What is the next (in
goodness)?” He replied, “To be good and dutiful to your parents.” I again
asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To participate in
Jihâd (religious fighting) in Allâh’s cause.” (Bukhâri
1/505)
Abu Qatada ibn Rab’I narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.)
said: “Allâh , the Exalted said: I made five times' prayers obligatory on
your people, and I took a guarantee that if anyone observes them regularly at
their times, I shall admit him to Paradise; if anyone does not offer them
regularly, there is no such guarantee of Mine for him.” (Abu Dawud 430)
An Nu`man bin Bashir
narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said: “Supplication (du'a) is itself the worship. (He then recited:)
‘And your Rabb said: Call on Me, I will answer you’ (11:60).”
(Abu Dawud, 1474)
6.
They not only try to be mere good Muslims (those who perform the five
pillars of Islâm ) or Mu`minon (Faithful Muslims,
those who believe in the six articles of faith);
but also to be Mu`hsinoon or Muttaqon (God-conscious,
God-fearing Muslims who are righteous, pious
and restrain as well as guard themselves from evil). They take guidance
from the following authentic Hadith:
Abu Huraira narrated that one day while the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and
asked, "What is faith?" Allâh's Messenger
(s.a.w.)
replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allâh, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His
Messengers, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further asked,
"What is Islâm ?" Allâh's Messenger
(s.a.w.)
replied, "To worship Allâh Alone and none else, to offer prayers
perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the
month of Ramadan." Then he
further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allâh's Messenger
(s.a.w.)
replied, “To worship Allâh as if you see Him, and if you cannot
achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at
you.” … Then that man (Gabriel)
left and the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
asked his companions to call him back, but they could not see him. Then
the Prophet said, "That
was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion." Abu 'Abdullah
said: He (the Prophet) considered all that as a part of faith.
(Bukhâri 1/47, 6/300
and Muslim1)
7.
They do righteous deeds with ikhlas (sincerity) or purely for the
sole pleasure of Allâh and
not for fame and honor in the eyes of the people. They dedicate their prayers,
sacrifices, lives and death solely for Allâh, the Almighty in order to achieve
His rewards:
"So, call you (O
Muhammad and the believers) upon (or invoke) Allâh making (your) worship pure
for Him (Alone) (by worshipping none but Him and by doing religious deeds
sincerely for Allâh's sake only and not to show off and not to set up rivals
with Him in worship).” (39:14
and 40:14).
“Say: Truly, my prayer and
my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allâh, the
Cherisher of the Worlds.” (6:162)
Umar bin Al-Khattab narrated,
“I heard Allâh's Messenger (s.a.w.)
saying, The reward of deeds depends upon the
intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has
intended....’" (Bukhâri 1/1 and Muslim 3/ 4692)
8.
They are grateful to Allâh
by devoting much time to prayers:
“And remember!
Your Rabb caused to be declared (publicly): `If you are grateful, I will
add more (favors) unto you; but if you show ingratitude, truly My punishment is
terrible indeed.’” (14:7)
“...And if any is
grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is
ungrateful, truly my Rabb is free of all needs, Supreme in Honor!”
(27:40)
Al-Mughira Bin Shu`ba narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
used to pray so much that his feet used to become inflated or swollen.
And when he was asked why, he would say: “Shall I not be a thankful
slave (to Allâh)?” (Bukhâri
8/478; also see 6/360)
9. They show their love and devotion to Allâh
by: being obedient to Him and
following His Messenger (s.a.w.)
,
being true believers and doing deeds of righteousness based on the Qur’ân and the Sunnah:
“Say: ‘If you do love
Allâh follow me: Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins for Allâh is
Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.’” (3:31)
“O you who believe! Obey
Allâh, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) and render not vain your deeds.”
(47:33)
“On those who believe and work deeds of righteousness will
(Allâh) Most Gracious bestow Love.” (19:96)
It was narrated that the
Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said: “All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse” They
said, “O Allâh’s Messenger! Who
will refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever
disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it).”
(Bukhâri 9/384)
10.
They stick to the Qur’ân and the Sunnah and avoid Bid’ah
(innovation in religion):
‘Aishah narrated that Allâh’s
Messenger (s.a.w.)
said, “Whoso introduces any thing new to this affairs of ours (i.e., religion)
which does not form a part of it, it is invalid.”
(Bukhâri 3/861 and Ibn Mâjah 1/14)
Jabir ibn Abdullah
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said,
“The best speech is that embodied in the Book of Allâh, and the best
guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. The most evil affairs are their
innovations; and every innovation is an error.” (Muslim 1885)
11.
They perform not only the five obligatory prayers but also the optional or
Sunnah prayers especially the Tahajjud (midnight) prayers in order to
earn Allâh’s love. They know and
believe that by earning Allâh’s love they would attain success:
Abu
Hurairah
narrated: Allâh's Messenger
(s.a.w.)
said, “Allâh (Mighty and sublime be He) said: `Whosoever shows enmity to
someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to
Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon
him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so
that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his
seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with
which he walks. Were he to ask (something) of Me, I would surely give it to him,
and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate
about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of my faithful
servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him.’”
(Bukhari 8/509)
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said, “If Allâh loves a person, He calls Gabriel saying, 'Allâh loves so
and-so; O Gabriel! Love him.' Gabriel would love him and make an announcement
amongst the inhabitants of the Heaven. 'Allâh loves so-and-so, therefore you
should love him also,' and so all the inhabitants of the Heaven would love him,
and then he is granted the pleasure of the people on the earth."
(Bukhâri 4/431; 8/66;
Muslim and Tirmidhi)
Abu Hurairah narrated Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.)
said: “Our Rabb, the Blessed, the
Superior, comes down every night to the nearest heaven to us during the last
third of the night. Then, He says:
`(Is there anyone) who invokes Me, (demands anything from Me) so that I respond
to his invocation? (Is there anyone) who asks Me for something so that I may
grant him his request? (Is there anyone) who seeks My forgiveness, so that I may
forgive him?’” (Bukhari
2/246)
12. They remember Allâh much not only by praying but also by making supplications and
invocations to Him, reciting the Qur’ân for His pleasure, and by frequently
praising Him. They are inspired
with the following Qur’ânic injunctions and authentic Ahâdîth:
“Then do you remember Me,
I will remember you. Be grateful to
Me and reject not faith.” (2:152)
“Verily, I am Allâh:
There is no god but I: so serve Me (only), and establish regular prayer for My
remembrance.” (20:14)
“Recite what is sent of the Book by
inspiration to you, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from
shameful and evil deeds; and remembrance of Allâh is the greatest (thing
in life) without doubt.
And Allâh knows the (deeds) that you do.”
(29:45)
“By no means (should it be
so)! For it (Qur’ân) is indeed a Message of remembrance. Therefore, let who
so will, keep it in remembrance. It is in Books held (greatly) in honor, exalted
(in dignity), kept pure and holy.” (80:11-14)
“O you who believe! Let
not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allâh.
If any act thus, surely they are the losers.”
(63:9)
Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said, “The example of the one who celebrates the Praises of his Rabb (Allâh)
in comparison to the one who does not celebrate the Praises of his Rabb, is that
of a living creature compared to a dead one.”
(Bukhâri, 8/416)
Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said, “Allâh will give shade to seven (types of people) under His Shade (on
the Day of Resurrection). One of
them will be a person who remembers Allâh and his eyes are then flooded with
tears.” (Bukhâri
8/486)
Abu Hurairah reported Allâh’s
Messenger (s.a.w.)
as saying that “Allâh, the Exalted and Glorious, says: `I am near to the
thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him as he remembers
Me. And if he remembers Me in his
heart, I also remember him in My Heart. And
if he remembers Me in assembly I remember him in assembly, better than his
(remembrance). And if he draws near
Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by the cubit, and if he draws near Me
by the cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two hands.
And if he walks towards Me, I rush towards him.’”
(Muslim 4/ 6471)
13.
They put their trust in Allâh.
Whatever problems or trials they encounter they show patience and are
optimistic that Allâh will
help them or at least reward them for their trust, patience and endurance:
“... Then when you have
taken a decision put your trust in Allâh.
For Allâh loves those who put their trust (in Him). If Allâh helps you, none can overcome you.
If He forsakes you, who is there, after that, that can help you?
In Allâh, then, let Believers put their trust.” (3: 159-160)
“And He provides for him from (sources) he never could
expect. And if any one puts his
trust in Allâh, sufficient is (Allâh) for him.
For Allâh will surely accomplish His purpose. Verily, for all things has Allâh appointed a due
proportion.” (65:3)
Said Bin Waqas narrated that Allâh's Messenger
(s.a.w.)
said, "It is a fine thing when a believer praises and thanks Allâh if good
comes to him, and praises Allâh and shows endurance if smitten by affliction.
The believer is rewarded for everything, even for the morsel he raises to his
wife's mouth." (Tirmidhi
1733)
14. They frequently and
sincerely repent to Allâh to seek His forgiveness and rewards:
“And whoever repents and
does good has truly turned to Allâh with an (acceptable) conversion.”
(25:71)
“O you who believe!
Turn to Allâh with sincere repentance: in the
hope that your Rabb will remove from you your evil deeds and admit you to
Gardens beneath which Rivers flow
¾
the Day that Allâh will not permit to be humiliated the
Prophet and
those who
believe with him.
Their light will run forward before them and by their right hands, while
they say, `Our Rabb! Perfect
our Light for us, and grant us Forgiveness: for You have power over all
things.’” (66:8)
Al Agharr Al Muzani
narrated that Allâh's Messenger
(s.a.w.)
said, “There is (at times) some sort of shade upon my heart, and I seek
forgiveness from Allâh a hundred times a day.”
(Muslim 6522)
15. They sincerely
do Jihâd (strive hard for the cause of Allâh the Almighty):
“Those who believe fight
in the cause of Allâh, and those who reject Faith fight in the cause of Evil;
so fight against the friends of Satan. Feeble
indeed is the cunning of Satan.” (4:76)
Not equal are those
believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled, and those who strive
and fight in the cause of Allâh with their goods and their person.
Allâh has granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with
their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home).
Unto all (in Faith) has Allâh promised good.
But those who strive and fight has He distinguished above those who sit
(at home) by a great reward. Ranks
especially bestowed by Him and forgiveness and Mercy.
For Allâh is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
(4:95-96)
“Those who believe, and
emigrate and strive with might and main, in Allâh’s cause, with their goods
and their persons, have the highest rank in the sight of Allâh.
They are the people who will achieve salvation.”
(9:20)
O you who believe!
Shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a grievous
Chastisement? That you believe in
Allâh and His Messenger and that you strive (your utmost) in the Cause of Allâh,
with your wealth and your persons: that will be best for you, if you but knew!
He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to the Gardens of Eternity:
that is indeed the supreme Triumph. (61:10-12)
Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri narrated that somebody asked, “Allâh’s
Messenger (s.a.w.)
!
Who is the best among the people? Allâh’s
Messenger replied: “A believer who strives his utmost in Allâh’s Cause with
his life and property...” (Bukhâri
4/ 45)
16.
They do virtuous deeds that are pleasing to Allâh to earn his forgiveness and great reward:
“For Muslim men and women,
for believing men and women for devout men and women for true men and women, for
men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble
themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast,
for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage
much in Allâh’s remembrance for them: has
Allâh prepared forgiveness and great reward.”
(33:35)
17. They follow no other way
but Allâh’s Way. They believe
and follow the whole of the Qur’ân and the Sunnah of the Prophet
(s.a.w.).
They
enter into Islâm wholeheartedly
and aspire to live and die in the state of Islâm :
“Verily this is My Way
leading straight: follow it, follow not (other) paths.
They will scatter you about from His (great) path.
Thus does He command you so that you may be righteous.”
(6:153)
“Then, We put you on the
(right) Way of Religion, so follow you that (Way), and follow not the desires of
those who know not. They will be of no use to you in the sight of Allâh. It is
only wrong doers (that stand as) protectors, one to another. But Allâh is the
Protector of the Righteous. These are clear evidences to men, and a Guidance and
Mercy to those of assured Faith.” (45:18-20)
“Those who listen to the
Word, and follow the best of it, those are the ones who Allâh has guided, and
those are the ones endued with understanding.” (39:18)
“O you who believe! Enter
into Islâm wholeheartedly; and follow not the footsteps of Satan, for he is to
you an avowed enemy.” (2:208)
“O you who believe! Fear
Allâh as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islâm...that
you may be guided.” (3:102-103)
Anas Ibn Malik
narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said, “Whoever possesses the following three qualities will taste the
sweetness of faith: 1. The one to whom Allâh and His Messenger become dearer
than anything else; 2. Who loves a
person and he loves him only for Allâh’s sake; 3. Who hates to revert to
disbelief (atheism) after Allâh has brought (saved) him out from it, as he
hates to be thrown in fire." (Bukhâri
1/20 and 8/67)
Abbas Ibn Abdul Muttalib narrated that Abbas
heard the Messenger of Allâh (s.a.w.)
as saying, He relished the flavor of faith (Iman)
who became pleased with Allâh as Rabb, with al- Islâm as the code of life and
with Muhammad as the Messenger of Allâh.”
(Muslim 54)
Jâbir ibn ‘Abdullâh
narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.)
said, “...I have left among you the Book of Allâh, and if you hold fast to
it, you would never go astray...” (Muslim 2803.1)
Finally, to realize the above excellent qualities,
the ideal Muslims seek to acquire authentic knowledge of Islâm.
They know that only knowledge of the Qur'ân and the Sunnah (or authentic Ahâdîth)
can guide them to know more about Allâh the
Most High
so that they can worship and please Him
to the best they can, hoping for His everlasting rewards in the eternal world to
come. They strive to practice what they learn of the Deen, share their
knowledge of Islâm to others and show patience in the acquisition, practice and
sharing of Islâmic knowledge to others. In line with this, the ideal
Muslims give importance to the value of time. They take guidance from the
following Words of Allâh:
“By the time, verily man is in loss, except such
as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and join (together) in the mutual
enjoining of Truth, and of patience and constancy.”
(103:1-3)
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