How can the Muslim discipline himself Islamically, especially if he has shortcomings with regard to his religious commitment, which Allaah knows best about?
Praise be to Allaah.
Acknowledging your shortcomings is one of the first steps in
disciplining yourself.
Whoever acknowledges that he has shortcomings has started on
the path to self-discipline. This acknowledgement is one of the things that
make us discipline ourselves and be persistent in doing so. This
acknowledgement should not put you off disciplining yourself. It is a sign
of Allaah’s care when a person tries to change himself and develop, as
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, Allaah will not change the condition of a people
as long as they do not change their state themselves”
[al-Ra’d 13:11]
So whoever tries to change for the sake of Allaah, Allaah
will help him to change.
Each person is individually responsible for his own self, and
will be questioned individually, as Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
“There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto
the Most Gracious (Allaah) as a slave.
Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a
full counting.
And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of
Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender)”
[Maryam 19:93-95]
Man cannot benefit from what he has been told about goodness
unless he himself takes an interest in that. Do you not know the story of
the wife of Nooh and the wife of Loot, who were members of the households of
two Prophets, one of whom was one of the Messengers of strong will? Imagine
how these Prophets strove to guide their wives and how much guidance these
wives received, but there was no interest on their part, so it was said to
both of them:
“Enter the Fire along with those who enter!”
[al-Tahreem 66:10 – interpretation of the meaning]
Whereas the wife of Pharaoh – even though she was a member of
the household of one of the greatest evildoers – is presented by Allaah as
an example to those who believe because she disciplined herself.
The ways in which a Muslim can discipline himself are as
follows:
1-
Worshipping Allaah, keeping in
contact with Him and submitting to Him. That is done by paying attention to
doing obligatory acts of worship well, and cleansing your heart of any
attachment to anything other than Allaah.
2-
Reading Qur’aan a great deal,
pondering its meanings and seeking to understand it.
3-
Reading useful religious books
that describe the ways of treating and cleansing the heart, such as
Mukhtasar Manhaaj al-Qaasideen, Tahdheeb Madaarij al-Saalikeen
and so on; reading the biographies of the salaf (pious predecessors) and learning about their
attitude and behaviour, such as Sifat al-Safwah by Ibn al-Jawzi and
Ayna nahnu min Akhlaaq al-Salaf by Baha’ al-Deen ‘Aqeel and Naasir
al-Jaleel.
4-
Attending educational programs
such as classes and lectures.
5-
Making good use of your time
and using it to do things that will be of benefit in both worldly and
spiritual terms
6-
Not indulging too much in
permissible things and not paying too much attention to them.
7-
Keeping company with righteous
people and looking for righteous companions, who can help you to do good.
Those who live alone will miss out on a lot of the characteristics of a good
brother such as preferring others to oneself and being patient.
8-
Trying to act on what you learn
and put it into practice.
9-
Checking closely on yourself.
10-Having confidence in
yourself – whilst relying on Allaah – because the one who has no confidence
cannot act.
11-Despising yourself
for not doing enough for the sake of Allaah. This does not contradict the
things mentioned above. Man has to strive hard whilst still thinking that
his efforts are not enough.
12-Practising
withdrawal or isolation as prescribed in sharee’ah (Islamic law). You should not mix with people all the time, rather you must have some time which you spend alone,
in worship as prescribed in Islam.
We ask Allaah to help us and you to discipline ourselves and submit to that which Allaah loves and is pleased with. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and companions.
