5 Ways To Be A Better Muslim

1 Muharam 1437 H

It’s the new year according to the Islamic Calendar.  Although we don’t celebrate this “new year” as it is traditionally celebrated in other countries,  this is a blessed month.

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, “The number of the months according to Allah is twelve months (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day in which He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified”.

These four months, according to the authentic traditions are the months of Zulqadah, Zulhijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, has declared:

“One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Zulqadah, Zulhijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab.” (source: Islamicity)

I personally look at this month as a time to rejuvenate myself as it’s been a couple of months since Ramadan.  Although it was just Eid Adha, this month is still a good marker for re-upping or realigning your goals.

Here are 5 things that will bring you closer to Allah (which is our ultimate goal – all this life (dunia) stuff are just the means to getting you closer to Him):

#1: SMILE.

  • Start when you wake up at Fajr to pray – smile to yourself with Allhamdullilah – Allah has allowed you to wake up from your sleep, to continue to live, and to continue to worship HIM.
  • Smile at your family as the best of those are those who are kind to their family.
  • Send a smiley text to your buddies on social media.
  • Post a good word (smiling) word to the world.
  • Smile at all the people you meet during the day.
  • Smile at the commotion that occurs during the day.
  • A Smile doesn’t cost anything but it’s impact makes a difference in this world and in the next.

#2: RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

  • Starting from Fajr – read a few lines from the Qur’an and try to implement it right away.
  • Prepare breakfast, lunches or whatever for your loved ones but include a little note of love or encouragement.
  • Call or visit a family member (or text/skype).  Doesn’t have to be a long call or visit – 5-10 minutes could mean so much to them.
  • For those with small children – stop and listen to their words. Let them speak WITHOUT commenting.
  • Listen to your spouse, friend, family member, or loved one.  Try not to retort or pick at them – try it for 1 day.
  • Bring your friends, coworkers, neighbors some cookies, or some sweets — just because.
  • When driving, let those people who didn’t wait inline – IN.  Ya, you know who you are when you tailgate the car in front of you so no one can cut in. Relax.
  • Call someone or reach out personally to someone who is in your social network but you had never spoken to besides “connecting”.
  • Stop and greet a fellow Muslim even if you do not know them.  We are all brothers and sisters in Islam.  Take a moment to make that connection.

DZIKR

  • The easiest way to be close to Allah his to remember HIM. Reciting the following 33 times is one way: Allhamdullilah, Astagfirullah, Subhannallah, Laa ilaa ha illaAllah, and the 99 names of Allah throughout the day will ease your heart and bring it closer to Allah.
  • Protect yourself from the Evil Eye. Say: Allahumma Bariklaahu NOT Masha Allah.  See lecture by Sheikh Ahmed Musa Jibril-Sheikh Assim Hakeem.  Excellent short lecture on reviving an old Sunnah. Watch here!

GRATITUDE

  • Ask yourself what ease do you have in front of you right now? The closest things are your own body parts.  If they are in working condition and do not hurt – is this not a blessing?
  • Look around your environment and ask if you could have made it any better? Is not the weather favorable to you? Is not the air favorable to you? Are the colors of the alam (world) not favorable to you?
  • If you still need another push check out this Gratitude series by Mufti Menk.   Or check out some lectures on Muslim Central.

FUNDAMENTALS

  • If we find that we have problems in our lives we need to go back to the fundamentals of Islamic teachings. Our issues lie within ourselves in how we think and implement Islam.  Usually this starts with our Niah (our intentions) and our Prayers (Shalat).
  • If you need some inspiration please listen to Mufti Menk’s lecture.
  • If you do not understand Arabic it is time to learn it. Check out some of these sources: Understand Quran Academy, Bayinnahtv, Quran.com, or download a Quran and Prayer Apps on your phone.

Insha Allah this article will be of benefit and Insha Allah you will become a better Muslim

 

Wassallam.

Scroll to Top