Am I A Mu'min ?

It has remained the way of Allah that whenever a nation was to become corrupt, Allah would send a Prophet from amongst them who would show them the right path. Allah SWT sent many Messengers into this world and many Prophets. The Last Messenger who was sent onto the face of this world is our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW. He was given the Qur'an. The Qur'an was given to the Prophet Muhammad SAW for an important reason -

Guidance for Mankind and Jinnkind.

Allah SWT says in the Qur'an:

"This is the book in which there is no doubt, it is the guidance for those who fear Allah."

Therefore - the Qur'an is a means of guidance for those who fear Allah.

Who are the God-fearing ?

Allah SWT defines this in the Qur'an:

"Those who believe in the Unseen and are steadfast in Solat and spend out of what We have provided for them."

So this is the sign and proof of those who have Imaan. Allah Ta'ala has described a God-fearing person as one who possesses the above three qualities which have been mentioned above. When a person possesses three such qualities, he/she will become a true and complete Believer.

Having strong faith in the Unseen plays a major role in the heart, and this is called Imaan.

Performing Solat and spending from what Allah has provided is from the actions of a Muslim.

When a person has firm belief in Allah and the Unseen, and then goes on to perform good deeds, then only he becomes a true Muslim. A Mu'min.

From the Qur'an and Hadith, we have many qualities and attributes possessed by a Mu’min. Several of many are described below so that we all take them as guidance and guidelines in our pursuit to reach the station of being a Mu'min.

First of all, Allah SWT mentions in the Qur'an:

"Successful indeed are the Believers."

Allah SWT then continues and mentions those who are successful Believers.

Allah SWT says:

"Those who offer their Solat with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from Laghw (dirty, false, evil vein talk, falsehood and all that Allah has forbidden). And those who pay Zakaat. And those who guard their chastity. Except from their wives or that their right hands possess (slaves), for them, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond that, those are the transgressors."

"Those who are faithfully true to their Amanat (all the duties which Allah has ordained. honesty, moral responsibility and trusts) and to their covenants. And those who strictly guard their five compulsory congregational Solat. These are indeed the inheritors who shall inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever."

Allah SWT has mentioned Solat and Zakat which is obligatory for a Muslim to perform. These qualities have already been mentioned previously.

Here Allah Ta'ala also says:

"And those who turn away from Laghw (all that has been forbidden /vain talk) ."

Allah Ta'ala has made it clear that a Mu’min is that person who refrains from sin. This is because when a person commits a sin he is either:

1. Engaged in other than the Remembrance of Allah.

2. Is going against the Orders of Allah.

Many a time, it is better to stay quiet because one will save himself from sin, e.g. backbiting, evil vain talk, falsehood etc.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW has stated:

"One who kept silent saves himself."

However, there is a very important point that needs to be mentioned. When there is a gathering or a conversation in which one is backbiting, it is necessary that we stop this action. Why? Because we have been ordered to prevent evil. However, in such circumstances where one does not stop backbiting, it will become necessary that one walks away from such gatherings or conversations.

In another Hadith, our Prophet Muhammed SAW has said:

"Part of someone being a good Muslim is his leaving alone that which does not concern him."

Allah SWT also mentions in the Qur'anic verses:

"And those who guard their chastity"

Allah SWT further mentions:

"Those who are faithfully true to their Amanat and their covenant."

An easy remedy for guarding one's chastity and to be faithful to one's amanat, his covenants and promises is to have the quality of Hayaa (modesty and shame). This is simply because, when a person possesses such a quality, it will automatically stop him from committing such sins like adultery, theft and lies. He will think to himself that if tomorrow I am exposed, then what will people think of me ? Shame and modesty is such a vital article of Imaan that is why our Prophet Muhammad SAW mentioned Hayaa (modesty) separately in another Hadith which is mentioned in Sahih Al-Bukhari:

"Imaan is made up of 60 and 9 sectors and modesty is a sector of Imaan."

Another Hadith is narrated by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim:

"A true Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims stay safe."

Here, our most beloved Prophet SAW mentioned the tongue first. The scholars of Hadith have mentioned that there could be several reasons for this. One reason is that it is very easy to harm someone with the tongue. One person may say something which another person may not like. The second reason is the harm caused by the tongue is usually more severe than the harm caused by the hand. A person finds it difficult to forgive someone who is hurt their feelings more than someone who is actually hurt them physically. The wound of the body caused by a sharp object may heal but the wound in the heart caused by the tongue may be very difficult to properly heal. Thus - when a person safeguards his hands and tongue, only then will he/she become a true Muslim.

Thus, we need to save ourselves from becoming a source of harm for others, and we need to adopt those good attributes into our lives which the Prophet Muhammad SAW brought to us, and which his Companions RA adopted into their lives, which then became a means of their success in this world and the everlasting Hereafter.

It is also important to know that it is also Haraam to cause inconvenience to other Muslims. This is also a trait of a true Believer. He/she will not cause inconvenience to others.

Our Prophet Muhammad SAW has said:

"The most perfect Believer is the one with the best manners."

The Prophet of Allah SAW had the best characteristics and manners and through this, many non-Muslims converted to Islam just by looking at the actions of the Prophet SAW. Therefore, we learn that good manners and good character has a great impact on other people.

Another narration goes:

"Verily the Believer - because of his good character attains the stage of the fasting one and one who stands in prayer during the night."

A part of good manners is caring and sharing. Most importantly with our neighbours and guests.

The following Hadith explains just one of many injunctions of the rights of neighbours:

"That person will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not safe from his mischief."

As to showing manners and being generous to our guests, our Prophet Muhammad SAW has said:

"Whosoever brings faith in Allah and on the Last Day should be generous to his guest."

It is a great bounty that we have so many of our Prophet Muhammad SAW's sayings in front of us which we can act upon. In the same way, we also have the Noble Qur'an, the Words of our Master and The Creator.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'an:

"And the servants of the All-Compassionate-One walk on the earth with humility and when the ignorant people speak to them they respond with peace offerings."

Here, Allah Ta'ala is mentioning the true servants of Allah and the special slaves who will be rewarded with the highest place in Paradise.

Further below are just some of many translated verses of the Qur'an which will help us to understand the qualities of a Mu'min which all of us should possess:

SURAH AL-FURQAN: AYAT 64 ~ 77

"And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord, prostrate and standing."

"And those who say - 'Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily, its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment."

"Evil indeed it is as an abode and as a place to rest in."

"And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes)."

"And those who invoke not any other God along with Allah, nor kill such person as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment."

"The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace."

"Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic monotheism), and righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful."

"And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds, then verily, he repents towards Allah with true repentance."

"And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity."

"And those who, when they are reminded of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations etc) of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind there at."

"And those who say, 'Our Lord!’ Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of all the Muttaqun (the pious).' "

"Those who will be rewarded with the highest place (in Paradise) because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect."

"Abiding therein, excellent it is as an abode, and as a place to rest in."

"Say (O Muhammad SAW to the disbelievers): My Lord pays attention to you only because of your invocation to him. But now you have indeed denied (Him). So the torment will be yours forever (inseparable, permanent punishment)."

In the closing verses of this Surah, Allah Ta'ala mentions the quality, significance and effect of supplicating and repenting towards Allah.

Allah SWT mentions in another chapter of the Holy Qur'an:

SURAH AL-BAQARAH: AYAT 222

"Truly Allah loves those who turn unto him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves."

In another set of verses of the Holy Qur'an, Allah SWT mentions in favour of those who repent:

SURAH AL-GHAFIR: AYATS 7 ~ 9

"That those (angels) who bear the throne (of Allah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe (in the oneness of Allah) (saying): 'Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow your way, and save them from the torment of the blazing fire!' "

"Our Lord! And make them enter the Eden Paradise (everlasting garden) which you have promised them and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives and their offspring! Verily, you are the Almighty, the All Wise."

"And save them from (the punishment for what they did of) the sins, and whomsoever you save from the sins (i.e pardon him) that day. Verily, you have taken him in mercy. And that is the supreme success."

Our Prophet Muhammad SAW has stated:

"Supplication (du'a) is the essence of worship."

Why? This is due to two main reasons. First, by supplicating to Allah, a person fulfils his obligation of calling on Allah, which is understood from the verse:

"And your Lord says, 'Call on me, I will answer you (your prayer).' " (Surah 24, Ayat 60)

This is worship in its purest form. Secondly, by invoking Allah, one realises that ONLY Allah can fulfil ones needs. The servant who calls upon his Lord abandons hope in everything else and turns his full attention to Allah, humbling in front of Allah. This is the essence of worship. Another desired result of worship is to attain reward from Allah, because there is such great a reward in supplication; it has been called the essence of worship.