Like adulteration in the food or drugs by adding sub standard material making these of poor quality, the same is true for the religions. Opportunity seekers fabricate the original Divine text and give them misleading meaning and putting across cleverly to those illiterate followers, illiterate here also include otherwise well educated who have never tried to understand the religion by personal research and following some of the authenticated research work and exegesis of Qur'an.
Hereinunder are some simple questions one must keep asking oneself off and on and ascertain whether any adulteration has not entered in his mind and pulling him away from the straight path - the Siraat al Mustaqeem?
- Do I only follow the Qur'an and authentic sunnah?
- Many of us will answer in affirmative. But would it be really true since our actions and way of life is mostly tangent to commandments of Allah as contained in Qur'an and Sunnah. Many of us, specially the born Muslims, are still enslaved to following customs and traditions of bygone days that persisted before the advent of Islam.
- Do I practice Islam the way Prophet practiced?
- I feel ashamed when I watch videos that have no relevance to Islam and nor were practiced or recommended to be followed.
- The fake religious mentors indulge into practices which even non Muslims do not. These fake people dress like unmanly attire, their followers pour on them rice, chocolates, flowers or even loads of money while these recite verses from Qur'an with twisted meaning. There are these fake people who say they have currents filled in their bodies and anyone who touches them will have these holy currents transformed in to them and they will be filled with Islamic light.
- These unholy and un-Islamic teachings mostly happen in Asian countries and beside mostly illiterates, even some very well read also join in these rituals and think they have been blessed.
- Do I avoid fabricated and false Hadith (story telling)?
- Islam is a straight forward religion with clear commandments, easy to understand and follow. Yet there are people who fabricate Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad sws and turn these into stories to attract their followers.
- Do I avoid worshipping the dead saints?
- This is one of the most dreaded menace that has crept into way of life of many countries of Asia. So called devotees flock the graves of holy men and even prostrate in front of their grave with the hope of having their wishes answered since they believe that these holy men are still alive in their graves and act as an intermediary to convey their requests to Allah.
- These shrines in fact are means of thriving business by the managers of these shrines as poor people donate their hard earned money money boxes, which amount to hundreds of thousands each day.
- Do I seek help from Allah alone as only Allah can grant us our wishes?
- Following the last point above, many believe that they cannot communicate to Allah directly and thus find intermediaries to route their requests through the mockers and fake holy men.
- Many followers of such fake holy men believe that what they are blessed with is due to their mentors who are a means of communication with Allah.
- Those who do it, in fact step into domain of shirk as only Allah can listen to us without any intermediary as it is said in Qur'an: Allah is closer to your jugular vein, so ask me and I will answer your wishes.
- Do I practice Tawheed in its purest form and avoid shirk?
- Tawheed is the central tenet of Islamic belief, which means the oneness and uniqueness of Allah in all aspects—His Lordship, His names and attributes, and His right to be worshiped alone. To practice Tawheed in its purest form means to ensure that your belief and actions reflect complete devotion to Allah without associating partners with Him.
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever dies while still invoking anything other than Allah as a rival to Allah, will enter Hell." (Sahih Bukhari)
- This hadith emphasizes the seriousness of Shirk and the need to avoid it in all forms.
- Whereas Shirk is the opposite of Tawheed and is considered the gravest sin in Islam. It means associating partners with Allah or attributing to others the rights that belong solely to Allah.
- Shirk involves openly associating others with Allah in worship or believing in multiple gods. For example, praying to idols, saints, or other beings besides Allah.
- Therefore, I must ask myself do I commit shirk by praying or sacrificing for anyone besides Allah, such as dead saints or other deities?
- Do I REALLY Trust in Allah instead of Taweez / Amulets?
- Hidden Shirk is even more subtle, like relying on charms, amulets, or good luck symbols, believing they have power apart from Allah.
- Do I believe in the power of charms, superstitions, or people’s influence instead of trusting only in Allah?
- Am I performing my prayers regularly and with sincerity?
- Prayer / As Salat is obligatory five times a day on all adult, sane and healthy man and woman in Islam. It is to be ascertained whether we pray to Allah to please Him or do we offer prayer as a show off so that people consider us a pious and devoted man?
In view of the above, every Muslim must take a reappraisal of his or her faith through a process of deep reflection, self-examination, and spiritual growth. Reappraising faith means taking a sincere look at one's beliefs, actions, and connection with Allah, and striving for improvement in light of Islamic teachings. Here are some steps and ways to undertake a meaningful reappraisal of one's faith:
Reflect on the Purpose of Life (Tafakkur)
Islam emphasizes constant reflection on the purpose of life, the hereafter, and the role of faith in guiding daily decisions. A Muslim should ask themselves, "Why am I here? What is my ultimate purpose?"
- Quranic Reflection:
- Surah Al-Mulk (67:2): “He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed…”
- Reflecting on these questions helps Muslims realign their actions and intentions with the ultimate goal of pleasing Allah and preparing for the hereafter.
Evaluate Your Connection with Allah (Taqwa)
Taqwa (God-consciousness) is the cornerstone of a believer's relationship with Allah. A Muslim should assess how conscious they are of Allah’s presence in their life. This can be done by evaluating one's worship (such as prayer, fasting, and charity) and reflecting on the sincerity of one's intentions.
- Questions for reflection:
- How often do I remember Allah (through dhikr and prayer)?
- Am I performing my prayers regularly and with sincerity?
- Am I conscious of Allah in my private and public life?
- Quranic Reflection: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:2): "This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah."
Reassess Your Deeds (Muhasabah)
Muhasabah refers to self-accountability or taking oneself to account. This means regularly reflecting on one’s actions and deeds to determine whether they align with Islamic teachings.
- Hadith Reflection: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The wise person is the one who holds himself accountable and works for what comes after death.” (Tirmidhi)
- Regularly asking oneself:
- Am I fulfilling my obligations to Allah, such as prayer, fasting, and charity (zakat)?
- Am I being kind, just, and merciful in my dealings with others?
- Am I seeking to avoid sins, both major and minor?
This form of daily self-reflection allows a Muslim to stay on the path of righteousness and constantly improve their character and actions.
Seek Knowledge (Tafaqquh)
To take a meaningful reappraisal of faith, a Muslim should seek knowledge of the Quran, Sunnah, and Islamic teachings. The more one understands the depth of the religion, the easier it becomes to practice it with conviction.
- Hadith Reflection: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Ibn Majah)
- Seeking knowledge can involve:
- Studying the Quran and reflecting on its meanings.
- Learning about the life and example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
- Reading about Islamic ethics, morality, and spiritual development.
Renew Intentions (Niyyah)
Islam places great emphasis on the intention (niyyah) behind actions. A Muslim should regularly reassess their intentions to ensure they are seeking Allah’s pleasure in everything they do.
- Hadith Reflection: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Actions are but by intentions, and every man shall have only that which he intended.” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Evaluate whether daily actions, work, and worship are being done purely for Allah's sake, or whether there are worldly distractions. Correcting one’s intentions can renew one’s faith and bring them closer to Allah.
Strengthen Acts of Worship (Ibadah)
Acts of worship are the pillars of faith. A Muslim should reassess the quality and consistency of their worship:
- Prayer (Salah): Are my prayers focused, and am I performing them on time?
- Fasting (Sawm): Am I observing fasts beyond Ramadan for spiritual growth?
- Charity (Zakat and Sadaqah): Am I giving in charity, and am I conscious of the needs of others?
- Supplication (Dua): How often do I turn to Allah for guidance and help?
- Quranic Reflection: "And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me." Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186):
Correct and Purify the Heart
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the condition of the heart in relation to faith. A Muslim should take time to cleanse their heart of pride, jealousy, anger, and arrogance. Faith resides in the heart, and its purification is critical for sincere belief.
- Hadith Reflection: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Verily in the body is a piece of flesh which, if sound, the whole body is sound, and if corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Truly it is the heart.” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Reappraising faith requires checking for spiritual diseases in the heart and striving to fill the heart with love for Allah, gratitude, humility, and sincerity.
Repent and Seek Forgiveness (Tawbah)
Islam emphasizes the importance of continuous repentance (tawbah). A Muslim must regularly seek Allah’s forgiveness for past sins and make sincere efforts to avoid repeating them.
- Quranic Reflection: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" Surah Az-Zumar (39:53)
- True repentance involves recognizing one’s mistakes, feeling genuine regret, and making a firm intention not to return to those sins.
Evaluate Relationships with Others
Islam places great emphasis on the rights of others, such as family, friends, and society. A Muslim should reassess their relationships with others to ensure they are fulfilling their obligations.
- Hadith Reflection: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Sahih Bukhari)
- Are you treating others with kindness, fairness, and respect? Are you maintaining ties of kinship (silat ar-rahm)? Taking stock of relationships helps in spiritual growth.
Engage in Community Service
Part of reappraising one’s faith is looking at one’s role in the broader Muslim community and society. Serving others and being an active member of the community is highly encouraged in Islam.
- Hadith Reflection: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others." (Tabarani)
- Engaging in acts of charity and service not only helps others but also strengthens personal faith by acting on Islamic values.
Set Spiritual Goals and Plan for Improvement
Once a reappraisal of faith is complete, it’s essential to set practical spiritual goals for improvement. This could include:
- Increasing the amount of Quran read daily.
- Performing voluntary prayers (Sunnah and Nafl).
- Engaging more in remembrance of Allah (dhikr).
- Improving character by being more patient, forgiving, or charitable.
- Setting achievable goals and striving to improve consistently helps deepen faith and maintain closeness to Allah.
You may like to listen to a very informative lecture by eminent scholar Dr. Omar Suleiman on the subject of How To Practice Daily Self Accountability:
Reappraising one’s faith in Islam is a continual process of self-reflection, worship, and spiritual growth. It involves evaluating one’s relationship with Allah, reassessing deeds, improving intentions, and ensuring that actions align with Islamic principles. Through sincere reflection, repentance, and striving to improve, a Muslim can renew their faith and strengthen their bond with Allah, ultimately fulfilling the purpose of life in a more meaningful and dedicated way.
So when do we start our reappraisal, brothers and sisters in Islam?
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: Compiled verses from Qur'an on specific subjects: Faith in Allah
For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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