In this post today, we are sharing seven qualities of a believer which would take him closer to Allah for Allah loves those who act upon his commandments and stand firm on their faith even under the most trying conditions and circumstances. Please go through the seven qualities given herein under and see whether you are the believer who Allah likes or are you wanting in some to improve upon:
Repentance (Tawbah)
At numerous places, Allah has asked His servants not to grieve if the faulter or sin for the door to repentance is always open and as long as a believer is ashamed of his sins, mistakes or misdoings and realizes he has digressed from the path prescribed for him by Allah and instantly repents, Allah promises to forgive him, as promised in the 222nd verse of Surah 2. Al Baqarah (The Cow):
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِيۡنَ وَيُحِبُّ الۡمُتَطَهِّرِيۡنَ
Verily, God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance, and He loves those who keep themselves pure.
So those who transgress from the restrictions placed on believers and repent, there is always good tidings from Allah for their forgiveness.
We have already shared a number of posts on the importance of repentance (read the relevant posts from our reference page Selected verses from Qur'an under the heading Forgiveness/Repentance).
Purity (Taharah)
The above quoted verse is in fact a part of a long verse in which the stress is laid on bodily impurities and instantly purifying these for a believer can remain in state of impurity. Now we share the complete 222nd verse from Surah 2. Al Baqarah:
وَ يَسۡـئَلُوۡنَكَ عَنِ الۡمَحِيۡضِۙ قُلۡ هُوَ اَذًى فَاعۡتَزِلُوۡا النِّسَآءَ فِى الۡمَحِيۡضِۙ وَلَا تَقۡرَبُوۡهُنَّ حَتّٰى يَطۡهُرۡنَۚ فَاِذَا تَطَهَّرۡنَ فَاۡتُوۡهُنَّ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ اَمَرَكُمُ اللّٰهُؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِيۡنَ وَيُحِبُّ الۡمُتَطَهِّرِيۡنَ
(2:222) They ask you about menstruation. Say: “It is a state of impurity; so keep away from women in the state of menstruation, and do not approach them until they are cleansed. And when they are cleansed, then come to them as Allah has commanded you.” Truly, Allah loves those who abstain from evil and keep themselves pure.
The Arabic word "adha" stands both for illness and for uncleanliness. Manses are not only a state of impurity but also of disease. During the monthly period, women are medically nearer a state of illness than of health.
The Qur'an uses indirect and covert hints and suggestions for the expression of such delicate matters. The instructions, "They should be separated" and "Do not go near them", do not mean that the women should be made untouchables during their monthly periods, as they are made by the Jews, the Hindus and some other communities. The Holy Prophet explained that this commandment meant only to prohibit intercourse with them during the menses. All other relations with them may be continued as before.
The above said verse speaks of impurity arising from women's mensuration and state of impurity after sexual intercourse between husband and wife. So man is stopped from approaching his wife in her state of impurity. And when she is free from her days, she has to take a full bath (ghusl) to purify herself. Likewise after their marital coitus, both again have to take full bath (ghusl) to be pure to offer prayers. An unclean and impure believer is not allowed to offer his prayer unless clean. Thus in one verse, Allah has shown to qualities of a believer which he likes: Repentance and Purity "Truly, Allah loves those who abstain from evil and keep themselves pure."
Taqwa (piety)
Taqwa is the hallmark of a true believer. The importance of Taqwa is highlighted at a number of places in the Qur'an. Herein under is the 4th verse of Surah.9 At Tauba (Repentance) that highlights Allah's likeness for those who uphold Taqwa and are pious:
اِلَّا الَّذِيۡنَ عَاهَدتُّمۡ مِّنَ الۡمُشۡرِكِيۡنَ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَنۡقُصُوۡكُمۡ شَيۡـئًـا وَّلَمۡ يُظَاهِرُوۡا عَلَيۡكُمۡ اَحَدًا فَاَتِمُّوۡۤا اِلَيۡهِمۡ عَهۡدَهُمۡ اِلٰى مُدَّتِهِمۡؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ الۡمُتَّقِيۡنَ
[9:4] In exception to those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity are those with whom you have made treaties and who have not violated their treaties nor have backed up anyone against you. Fulfil your treaties with them till the end of their term. Surely, Allah loves those who have Taqwa."
Here believers are being advised to keep their promises: “So, fulfill to them their treaty.” For your violation in such cases shall be against piety. And Muslims should remain pious under all circumstances “Indeed, Allah loves those who are righteous” only.
Please read our two already posts on Taqwa: What is Taqwa and Who are Men of Taqwa
Ihsan (Goodness and perfection)
A believer cannot be a true believer if by his actions and deeds others around him are uncomfortable or in pain or difficulty. And even if he has been wronged, he controls his anger and restrains himself from taking revenge or hurting others. The same is being said in the 134th verse Surah 3. Al-i'Imran:
الَّذِيۡنَ يُنۡفِقُوۡنَ فِى السَّرَّآءِ وَالضَّرَّآءِ وَالۡكٰظِمِيۡنَ الۡغَيۡظَ وَالۡعَافِيۡنَ عَنِ النَّاسِؕ وَاللّٰهُ يُحِبُّ الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَۚ
(3:134) who spend in the way of Allah both in plenty and hardship, who restrain their anger, and forgive others. Allah loves such good-doers."
The devouring of interest had created greed, avarice, parsimony and selfishness in those who took interest; hatred, anger, enmity and jealousy in those who had to pay it, and these moral evils contributed to some extent to the setback in the Battle of Uhd. Therefore Allah has condemned and prohibited interest and prescribed charity as an antidote to it. It is obvious that Paradise has been reserved for those who practice charity and spend money generously, and not for those greedy persons who practice money-lending on interest.
Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)
The same is being said in the 139th verse Surah 3. Al-i'Imran:
وَلَا تَهِنُوۡا وَ لَا تَحۡزَنُوۡا وَاَنۡتُمُ الۡاَعۡلَوۡنَ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِيۡنَ
(3:139) Do not, then, either lose heart or grieve: for you shall surely gain the upper hand if you are true men of faith.
Here we would like to share the 40th verse of Surah 9 At Tauba which is an excellent example of having unflinching faith in Allah: " لَا تَحۡزَنۡ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَنَا ۚ Do not grieve. Allah is with us." Read its details here.
We have already shared a number of posts on the importance of repentance (read the relevant posts from our reference page Selected verses from Qur'an under the heading Faith in Allah ).
Adl (justice)
We have already shared a number of posts on the importance of justice for unless an unbiased and just system of justice prevails in a Muslim society, or even otherwise (read the relevant posts from our reference page Selected verses from Qur'an under the heading Justice) , there is likelihood of rich and influential taking undue advantage and usurping the rights of the poor and weak. Here in under we share the 5th verse of Surah 42. Ash-Shura:
سَمّٰعُوۡنَ لِلۡكَذِبِ اَ كّٰلُوۡنَ لِلسُّحۡتِؕ فَاِنۡ جَآءُوۡكَ فَاحۡكُمۡ بَيۡنَهُمۡ اَوۡ اَعۡرِضۡ عَنۡهُمۡ ۚ وَاِنۡ تُعۡرِضۡ عَنۡهُمۡ فَلَنۡ يَّضُرُّوۡكَ شَيۡـئًـا ؕ وَاِنۡ حَكَمۡتَ فَاحۡكُمۡ بَيۡنَهُمۡ بِالۡقِسۡطِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ الۡمُقۡسِطِيۡنَ
(5:42) They are listeners of falsehood and greedy devourers of unlawful earnings. If they come to you may either judge between them or turn away from them. And were you to turn away from them they shall not be able to harm you; and were you to judge between them judge with justice. Surely Allah loves the just.
Here pointed reference is made to judges and jurisconsults who accept false evidence and invent reports in order to issue verdicts contrary to justice and in favour of either those who bribe them or with whom their illegitimate interests lie. So judges have a very heavy responsibility on their shoulder and if they are just and give unbiased and just decisions, Allah assures them of His likeness.
Sabr (Patiance)
وَكَاَيِّنۡ مِّنۡ نَّبِىٍّ قٰتَلَ ۙ مَعَهٗ رِبِّيُّوۡنَ كَثِيۡرٌ ۚ فَمَا وَهَنُوۡا لِمَاۤ اَصَابَهُمۡ فِىۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُوۡا وَمَا اسۡتَكَانُوۡا ؕ وَاللّٰهُ يُحِبُّ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ
(3:146) Many were the Prophets on whose side a large number of God-devoted men fought: they neither lost heart for all they had to suffer in the way of Allah nor did they weaken nor did they abase themselves. Allah loves such steadfast ones.
Eminent Muslim scholar Ibn-Kathir is of the opinion that It was said that this Ayah means that many Prophets and their companions were killed in earlier times, as is the view chosen by Ibn Jarir. It was also said that the Ayah means that many Prophets witnessed their companions' death before their eyes. However, Ibn Ishaq mentioned another explanation in his Sirah, saying that this Ayah means, "Many a Prophet was killed, and he had many companions whose resolve did not weaken after their Prophet died, and they did not become feeble in the face of the enemy. What they suffered in Jihad in Allah's cause and for the sake of their religion did not make them lose heart. This is patience, " and Allah loves the patient. ."
Allah also advises His servants to resort to prayer and let go off their sabr (patience) when distress:
وَاسۡتَعِيۡنُوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ وَالصَّلٰوةِ ؕ وَاِنَّهَا لَكَبِيۡرَةٌ اِلَّا عَلَى الۡخٰشِعِيۡنَۙ
"And resort to Patience and As Salat (Prayer) for help. Truly Prayer is burdensome for all except the devout," (Surah 2 Al Baqarah: 45)
There are three types of patience:
- Patience in adversity: that one does not complain or feel despair at his situation. Rather he submits to the will of Allah and bears the difficulties and tests with patience. An example of this is the Prophet Ayyub peace be upon him, who was granted health, wealth, and offspring in abundance, then lost it all. Similarly, Ya’qub, who lost his two most beloved sons.
- Patience in doing what Allah has commanded: patience in establishing the prayer, patience in fasting Ramadan, especially when the days are long, patience in giving zakat, and patience in performing Hajj.
- Patience in abstaining from all that Allah has prohibited; be it usury, gambling, flesh of swine, alcohol, and other forbidden acts.
In the last verse of Surah 103. Al Asr, the qualities of a believer are spelt out who are not only patient themselves but also advise others to be patient:
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ
( 3 ) Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.
Having read out these seven qualities, we need to take a reappraisal of ourself and see whether we have these seven qualities in us so that Allah loves you? And if we are lacking some, we need to reshape lives as guided by above seven qualities so that we are loved by Allah and are rewarded profusely and are among the blessed. May Allah help us to be the ones He likes the most. Ameen.
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