How can I increase my iman again?
SALAAM... IM 18 YEARS OLD... I LEARNT HOW TO PRAY 2 YEARS AGO AND STARTED PRAYING 5 TIMES A DAY... ONE DAY I HAD A DREAM WHERE I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH DR ZAKIR NAIK AND HE TOLD ME THAT PRAYING 5 TIMES A DAY IS NOT ENOUGH I NEED TO DO MORE...
AT THAT TIME I USE TO WATCH HIS PROGRAMMES ALOT AND LEARNT ALOT ASWELL WHICH MIGHT BE WHY HE CAME IN MY DREAM... I THEN CHANGED AND STARTED READING QURAAN ASWELL AND I DIDNT WATCH ANY UNISLAMIC PROGRAMMES, I WOULD READ ISLAMIC BOOKS...
I BECAME PEACEFUL AND HAPPY... PEOPLE WOULD SAY MASHALLAH YOU HAVE NOOR ON YOUR FACE...
BUT ITS BEEN ABOUT 5 MONTHS, ITS CHANGED... I READ MY NAMAZ BUT NEVER SEEM TO WAKE UP FOR FAJR... I READ QURAAN MUCH MORE THAN I USE TO... BUT I DONT HAVE THE PEACEFUL FEELING... I DONT KNOW WHY MY IMAAN HAS GONE SO WEAK...
COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME BY GIVING ME ADVICE ON WHAT I CAN DO TO BECAME A BETTER MUSLIM...
JAZAKALLAH
Asma123
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Dear Asma123, Asalaamualaykum,
I believe you have taken Zakir Naik's words out of context. He must have been referring to this, where Allah(swt) says in Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 177:
"It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness, to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah fearing".
Allah has instructed us to believe in His Oneness, to pray Salaah five times a day, fast in Ramadan if we are in a state to do so, to pay Zakah if we can afford it and to do Hajj if we can afford it. But at the same time, Allah reminds us in the Verse above, that it is not good enough to just do these things as 'mere acts'; it is important to have good characters as well. So we need to 'Believe', 'Do the obligatory acts of worship as presribed' and also 'refine our characters by being kind, honest, respectful etc'.
Even the Prophet(saw) advised us to take the middle path and to not burden ourselves with more than we can do. Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As: Allah's Apostle said to me, "O 'Abdullah! Have I not been informed that you fast during the day and offer prayers all the night." 'Abdullah replied, "Yes, O Allah's Apostle!" The Prophet said, "Don't do that; fast for few days and then give it up for few days, offer prayers and also sleep at night, as your body has a right on you, and your wife has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you. And it is sufficient for you to fast three days in a month, as the reward of a good deed is multiplied ten times, so it will be like fasting throughout the year." I insisted (on fasting) and so I was given a hard instruction. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have power." The Prophet said, "Fast like the fasting of the Prophet David and do not fast more than that." I said, "How was the fasting of the Prophet of Allah, David?" He said, "Half of the year," (i.e. he used to fast on every alternate day). Afterwards when 'Abdullah became old, he used to say, "It would have been better for me if I had accepted the permission of the Prophet (which he gave me i.e. to fast only three days a month)."
He(saw) also said: "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately. Always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course, whereby you will reach your target (of paradise)." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 470
Furthermore, the Prophet(saw) said, “Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the nights.” Narrated Abu Huraira, {Volume 1, Book 2, Number 38: Sahih Bukari}
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Sister, faith/Iman is something that will always go up and down. It did so for the companions of the Prophet(saw) aswell and it happens to all of us. We can do things though to try and keep our iman steadfast and so that when it does fluctuate, it doesnt completely vanish. We need to understand that our Islam should not based on excitement, because excitement never lasts. Excitement is an emotion that stays for a while, while things are new and then as we get used to that thing, the feeling begins to dull and can then eventually go then we become bored (that is if the thing attracting us was based soley on excitement). So be moderate, understand the logic in your deen and do not over do it. Do your obligatory worship, focus on becoming regular in those things and add in your good deeds, and also find time for play as well (halaal play).
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Senior Editor
Salaams Asma123
Sister Z advice is perfect. I know what you are saying sister I fell behind with my namaz’s in the winter time it seems a lot difficult but like I know you get up and do what you can, praying comes through the heart and you mean it every time you perform your duties in front of allah. Every muslim here is on a test path, but you can only do your best and don’t be too hard on yourself you still do your other duties and practising everyday. You are still very young you have a lot more too learn inshallah you will get back on track. I wish you the best
Dear Samina,
What I meant by not over doing it was that we should not over do it beyond the obligatory if it is difficult for us. If we miss any of our obligatory deeds (due to a reason that is not justified), then we are falling behind and below the required level of being a Muslim. If we do the required level, no less, no more, then that is enough and we are not sinning in 'those areas'. If we do more, that is a bonus for us and will help us if we have flawed in our obligatory. Hope that makes sense (lol, that last line sounds like Zakir Naik) :O)
But as Muslims, we are prone to sin, so to safeguard ourselves, we should always aim high and strive to perfect our obligatory and do more.
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Senior Editor
Salaams Sisiter z
I mean in work commitments and other home responsibilities practicing does take away our duties to perform our daily prays for example if family come round it does distract one another but it is up to us as a person to make ourselves better as Muslims and also to keep developing and learn as we go along. I remember when I was also 18 I was the same as this person who replied their comments and know what they saying but end it was me who found the path and ulhumdiallah 2 years on I have never missed any prays what I am trying to say is practice comes in time and absolutely like you said the more we do the more we should better ourselves to aim higher. Inshallah this sister will find her path to improve and strong her eman. I used to watch Zakir Naik programmes too no longer have time but always remember in my heart of the major basic requirements that’s what helps.
Thank you sister z for sharing your comments are always spot on and very helpful may allah give you all rewards you deserve and the happiness in the world for sharing your time with us to improve as well as we going amen.
JazakhAllahkhair Samina,
I just didnt want anyone to misunderstand my comment and hence become relaxed with their Salaah :O).
Just a little tip and its actually a Sunnah aswell, that we should welcome our guests and give them our time. So if we do have guests and its time for Maghrib, we should most definitely pray the full Salaah. But if we have a habit of reciting a few pages of Quran or some other voluntary deed after Maghrib, we should leave that and give our guests their due time instead.
It can be easy huh :O)
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Senior Editor
x
You actually helped me there thank you sister thats made sense w/salaams
SisterZ's advice is all excellent ma-sha-Allah. I'll just add this article, which I have copied from an Islamic forum, and I think is good advice:
7 Steps to Increase Iman
1. Recognise and Repent
All humans commit sins no matter how hard we try to avoid them. Engaging in evil deeds decreases our Iman. Actions like lying, cheating and stealing, to name only a few, take a toll on the human heart which makes us more susceptible to being lead astray from the Path of Allah . It is important for us to reflect upon our deeds and weed out the ones that are contrary to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad . Allah has gifted us with an innate sense of justice and the ability to reason and make sound judgements. Our fitrah (natural disposition) necessitates that we all know when we are committing a sin. And if we don’t know, we certainly have a bevy of resources to find out from!
2. Perform Salah Regularly
Completing the five daily prayers, on time and according to the Sunnah, is an excellent way to increase our Iman. Not only are we performing an obligatory deed when praying, but by doing so we have a standing audience with the Creator of this world where we can ask for help and mercy. The effect of the salah on the human soul is cooling as Muhammad once said that it cooled his eyes. The salah connects us with our Creator and, along with obedience to Allah , helps us to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:
“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses -this Qur’an- are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone); Who perform salah and spend out of that We have provided them. It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and Forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise)” (Qur’an 8:2-4).
3. Qur’anic Recitations
Medical studies have shown that simply listening to a recitation of the Holy Qur’an has a physiological effect on our bodies. Research has also proven that the Qur’an has healing qualities on the body, mind and spirit. What better way to increase your Iman than to listen to a recitation of the Holy Qur’an on an audio device! Listen to the melodious rhythm of the Qur’an and while doing so try to reflect upon the meanings of what you are listening to.
4. Engage in Dhikr
“…Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Qur’an 13:28).
Remembering Allah much through acts of dhikr brings peace to the heart. It also gives us a sense of taqwa, a consciousness that makes us realise that Allah Almighty is ever near and that we should always strive to please Him.
Some beneficial dhikr include:
Subhan’Allah – ‘Praise be to Allah’
Al-Hamdullilah – ‘Thanks be to Allah’
Allahu Akbar – ‘Allah is the Greatest.’
5. Voluntary Fasting
Fasting can be thought of as a prescription for us, which cures the maladies of the human soul. There are innumerable benefits to fasting nawafil fasts. Fasting helps us be thankful to Allah for His Bounty, control unlawful desires, have compassion for the less fortunate and it weakens the effects of waswas, the insinuating whispers from the Shaytan.
6. Carry Out Good Deeds
Doing good deeds for others can be like switching on a light bulb in a darkened room. No matter how awful we are feeling there is just something about offering a helping hand to someone in need that lifts our spirits and brightens our Iman.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:
“For those who believe and work righteous deeds is a reward that will never fail” (Qur’an 41:8).
Types of good deeds that any of us can fulfill include acts of dawah, feeding a poor person or donating something of value to charity. Not only does the deed benefit another person but it also benefits our own souls by polishing up our Iman.
7. Trust in Allah
The best way to increase your Iman is to completely submit your will to Allah by following every command in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Live your life according to them and you will find success around every corner. Turn to Allah in times of distress and be thankful to Allah in times of bounty. Have patience in Allah’s Decree and always remember that no matter what trials or tribulations we face in this World, one day we will be called to account for our deeds which were hopefully sent forth with much goodness and patience.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Salaams Wael
Thank you brother i have actually saved this on my computer w/salaams
one day i just had a thought that at tha day of judgement we will be undressed before our lord Allah subhanallah, that shaitan made me to think that how can i stand like that then i felt very bad that he is the creater whyi m thinking like this then i asked forgiveness to Allah the merciful after sometime my friend showed a video in which i saw a person who had misbehaved with my friend that i knew then my mind had a thought that before sometime i had some thought like that what is that,then i got a memory that i thought in judgement we have to stand undressed before theLord at a second i changed my mind why m i thinking like he is my creater why i m having this bad thoughts in mine i m feeling very bad that i did a very big sin imz having a lots of fear that did i compared both of these avudhubillahi minha.pls help me why i got these thoughts i realized my mistake and asked more forgiveness but this thoughts are killing me that u made a big sin, u compared ,do Allah forgive me or not
Jesi,
If you are concerned because of your thought that people will stand naked before Allah, then that is not a sin. In fact, thay is something our mother 'Aaishah bint Abu Bakr was concerned about.
Narrated `Ai sh ah ﺭَﺿِﻲَ اﻟﻠﻪُ ﻋَﻨْﻬﺎ : Allâh's Messenger ﺻﻠﻰ اﻟﻠﻪ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ said, ``The people will be gathered barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised.'' I said, ``O Allâh's Messenger! Will the men and the women look at each other?'' He said, ``The situation will be too hard for them to pay attention to that.'' (Sahih al Bukhari)
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Abu Abdul Bari
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
assalaamu alaikum pls help me and join me in ur precious duas that shaitan always disturbing me by giving a thoughts like this which makes me to think that i did a big sin and i will be always thinking about this and disturbed and my family and friends asking me why are you so disturbed and being tensed but i cant come out of this ,Allah is more merciful pls forgive me,then i used to repeat my salaat for several times due to lack of concentration i tried a lot to get concentrate but some distract my mind then i m trying to change my mind but after finishing my salaat i thought that my salaat is acceptable or not then i do it again i used to pray many times pls help me
May Allah Forgive you and protect you against His enemy - the Shaitan. You are a Muslimah, strong against Shaitan if you realize. Remorse after sin is natural and something good, as long as it is keeping you from further sin, is making you do tawbah again and again and is not leading you to depression, thus giving a chance to Shaitan to take you away from Allah.
I wish to say more, but this post is not the right place. Please login and submit your question separately.
Abu Abdul Bari
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
jazakhAllahKhair