How to be a better Muslim
If you haven’t read the first part of this ‘How to be a better Muslim/ How to be consistent as a Muslim’ series, you can read it here.
Here, we will continue on from several topics discussed in the first post (prayer, learning about Islam, Ramadan, making du’a).
It contains practical tips on how you can do more as a Muslim and earn rewards whilst going about your daily life.
These two posts combine productivity with practicing faith.
While I am no scholar, I am a normal person just like you trying to do their best as a Muslim whilst trying to stay on top of things in this world.
These two spheres – deen and dunya – are intrinsically linked and that is my purpose when giving you tips. To show you that you can enjoy life in this world and be the best Muslim you can possibly be at the same time.
Here are some more ideas for how to be a better Muslim and centre your life around Islam.
Related:
Dunya and Deen – How to Balance Both (Part 2)
The Five Before Five Hadith: Prophetic Advice That Will Change Your Life
Qur’an
Read it everyday
Simply reading the Qu’ran (even when you can’t understand it) inspires such peace and tranquillity in the heart.
It helps you stay grounded so that you don’t get swept away with the dunya.
Make a plan to read the Qu’ran every day. This could be in the morning after you pray Fajr, straight after work, or after Isha.
Whatever time is good for you.
Read the translation
As well as reading the Qu’ran often, make sure you are reading translations of it so that you can feel a deeper connection with it.
You may come across passages that interest you and that prompt you to look into it further.
You could also find passages that inspire you or motivate you.
In short, whilst reading the Qu’ran without understanding it will still forms a connection between you and the Qu’ran, reading it in a language you understand will allow you to further realise the perfection of Allah SWT’s words.
Spend twenty minutes before you go to bed to read a few pages of the Qu’ran.
There are plenty of apps nowadays that have translations of the Qu’ran so you can literally read it while you’re in bed!
Memorise it
This is of course not an easy task in the sense that you can do it quickly.
The Qu’ran has 604 pages so memorizing it will require a lot of time and dedication.
In a world obsessed with fast returns, instant gratification and overnight transformations, people’s attention spans have decreased.
However, memorising the Qu’ran is an unparalleled feat as the person that memorises the Qu’ran in its entirety will go to the highest level of Jannah. (1)
Truely it is something we should all be striving for.
For such a big task, contact your local mosque and ask for a teacher who can support you and help you along in this amazing journey!
Listen to it often
Listening to the Qu’ran often will further increase the sense of tranquility you feel when you read it.
It also helps with memorisation especially if you keep listening to the same Surahs over and over again.
Music/ listening to music is haram however in today’s society it has become such a norm.
If listening to music is one of your bad habits, try to erase this habit by listening to the Qu’ran in place of it.
Qu’ran journaling
Qu’ran journaling involves taking a passage from the Qu’ran, using context/ Tafseer to further understand its meaning and then applying the lessons to your life.
I really like deenandchai’s (YouTube) method of Qu’ran journaling where she uses the Q.U.R.A.N step-by-step process.
It is a fun and meaningful activity you can do alone or with a group of your friends!
Related:
How To Build A Connection With Allah SWT
How To Deal With Overthinking in Islam
How To Learn The 99 Names Of Allah
Charity
Volunteer
In this post where I talked about the five before five Hadith, some of the times you should take advantage of in your life include your youth before old age, health before sickness and free time before preoccupation.
Volunteering is something you can do during any of these times! Not only will you be earning rewards as you raise money for the sake of Allah SWT, but you will also meet like-minded people who have similar values to you.
Apart from volunteering, you can also attend seminar/ lecture events at your local mosque and get involved with other Islamic interventions close to your home.
Give to charity regularly
Set up a monthly subscription and make a difference to people’s lives while earning a great number of rewards for yourself.
The money you spend on your daily coffee would be life-changing for families across the world if you gave it to them.
In Surah Baqarah, Allah SWT says in verse 261: ‘The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains. And Allah multiplies ˹the reward even more˺ to whoever He wills. For Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.’ (2)
Help your parents and community
Helping your family and community is another form of charity that can be overlooked.
Allah will question you on your interactions with your parents.
Allah SWT says in the Quran to not even say ‘oof’ to your parents. (3) This is how much respect you should have for them.
Your parents raised you from birth and you are who you are today because of them.
Give back to them in whatever way possible and never forget to care for them, no matter how busy life gets.
Stay aware with current events
In the case of Palestine, you have probably noticed how most popular media sources are depicting a warped version of reality that disfavours the Palestinians.
And you might not have noticed the fact they are barely (if at all!) even covering places like Sudan or Congo.
Sudan is currently facing one of the greatest humanitarian crises in the world whilst the people of Congo are being abused and exploited so we can get the latest tech.
The popular media outlets don’t cover it because it’s not ‘relevant’ to them.
This is why it is so important to stay up-to-date with what is happening.
The more you see that the ‘beauties’ of this world are fiction, the more you crave to be guided to the oneness of Allah and the truth of Islam.
If there’s something you’re particularly interested in, be brave and spread the word.
If you have a creative flair, start your own platform and help the Ummah by raising awareness and bringing the truth to more people’s eyes.
Or simply just have more conversations with your loved ones. You would be surprised how much awareness you can spread within a five minute conversation with people who care enough to spread the message to others.
Fasting
Do voluntary fasts
Some of the key times to do voluntary fasts include:
- Monday and Thursdays – a key point to also mention is that our deeds are presented to Allah SWT on Mondays and Thursdays so Prophet Muhammad SAW wanted to be in a state of fasting during this time
- Fasting for three days in the month is like fasting for the entire year
- Prophet Muhammad SAW also said that whoever fasted one day for the sake of Allah SWT, Allah would place the distance of a journey of seventy years before him and the Hellfire (4)
Take advantage of the winter time – you earn the same rewards that you would get when you fast long days in the summer.
There are narrations that relate to winter as the ‘spoils of the believer’ as the day has been made short and the nights are long for prayer. (4)
Fasting also builds character due to the fact that when you fast, you’re also abstaining from other bad deeds like backbiting, listening to music, free mixing etc.
Final tips on how to be a better Muslim:
Prophet Muhammad SAW said that the most beloved actions to Allah are ‘consistent ones, even when they are small.’
Make a list of all the things you want to do and start checking them off.
Use the tips in these posts and above all, aim for consistency rather than big actions that cause you to burnout later on.
KEY POINTS – How To Be A Better Muslim ( + Centre Your Life Around Islam!)
- Qu’ran – Read/ listen to it every day. Read translations of the Qu’ran in a language you understand to form a deeper connection
- The person that memorises the Qu’ran in its entirety will go to the highest level of Jannah
- Qu’ran journaling involves taking a passage from the Qu’ran, using context/ Tafseer to further understand its meaning and then applying the lessons to your own life
- Apart from volunteering, you can also attend seminar/ lecture events at your local mosque and get involved with other Islamic interventions close to your home
- In Surah Baqarah, Allah SWT says in verse 261: ‘The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains. And Allah multiplies ˹the reward even more˺ to whoever He wills. For Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.’
- Allah SWT says in the Quran to not even say ‘oof’ to your parents. This is how much respect you should have for them
- The more you see that the ‘beauties’ of this world are fiction, the more you crave to be guided to the oneness of Allah and the truth of Islam.
- Prophet Muhammad SAW said that whoever fasted one day for the sake of Allah SWT, Allah would place the distance of a journey of seventy years before him and the Hellfire
SOURCES:
(1) What is the reward for Memorizing the Quran? – Assim al hakeem
(2) Surah Al-Baqarah – 1-286 – Quran.com
(3) Never Give Up On Your Parents | Sheikh Belal Assaad
(4) – A Major Hidden Benefit of Fasting Regularly | Live Reminder by Dr. Omar Suleiman
