Five qualities of a true believer of Islam (a Muslim)

In these Quran verses, Allah highlights five characteristics of true believers.

qualities of a Muslim

    2. The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone);
    3. Who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and spend out of that We have provided them.
    4. 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).

    Quran (Surah Al-Anfal, verses 2 – 4)

It’s clear from these verses that the qualities of a true Muslim mentioned in these verses are the following:

    When Allah is mentioned, they feel the fear of Him in their hearts;
    Their faith increases every time they hear and ponder over Quran’s verses;
    They put their trust in Allah, i.e. have Tawakkul on Allah;
    They perform prayers regularly;
    They spend in charity in the path of Allah.

As a Muslim, one can take heed from these verses and assess the state of his heart. In his tafsir, Ibn Kathir writes that none of Allah’s remembrance enters the hearts of the hypocrites upon performing what He has ordained. They neither believe in any of Allah’s Ayat nor trust (in Allah) nor pray if they are alone nor pay the Zakah due on their wealth.

The primary point is that a true believer is one when Allah is mentioned, he feels a fear in his heart, and thus implements His orders and abstains from His prohibitions.

About such people, Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated that As-Suddi commented, “A man might be thinking of committing injustice or a sin. But he abstains when he is told, `Have Taqwa of Allah’, and his heart becomes fearful.”

Finally, for such people Allah has promised ‘grades of dignity’, i.e. special places in paradise. We know from various ahadith that paradise has many levels and the more deserving are granted better and higher grades in paradise. In a Hadith recorded by Imam Ahmad and the collectors of Sunan, Abu Atiyyah said that Ibn Abu Said said that the Messenger of Allah said,

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“Residents of Paradise see the residents of the highest grades just as you see the distant planet in the horizon of the sky. Verily, Abu Bakr and `Umar are among them (in the highest grades), and how excellent they are.”

Reference: Quran and Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Getting highest achievement according to the Quran

Getting highest achievement according to the Quran

70. O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth.
71. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger,, he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and will be admitted to Paradise).    

Quran (Surah Al-Ahzab, Verses 70-71)

Understanding the Greatness and Magnificence of Allah by examples

Understanding the Greatness and Magnificence of Allah by examples

In Sura Ar-Ra’ad Allah Tells us:

8. Allah knows what every female bears, and by how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or exceed. Everything with Him is in (due) proportion.)

9. All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Great, the Most High.)

10. It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day.

Quran (Surah Ar-Raad, Verses 8 – 10)

Reflections on these verses:

• Allah affirms His perfect knowledge, from which nothing is hidden.
• He has complete knowledge of whatever every female creature is carrying – whether male or female, fair or ugly, miserable or happy, whether it will have a long or a short life.
• Allah remains fully aware of all the developments that take place in the child while in its mother’s womb, and He watches over the decrease or increase in each of its limbs, and its potentialities, capabilities and powers.
• Everything with Him is in proportion “for a term appointed.”
• Allah has the records of the provisions and terms of His creation and made an appointed term for everything.
• He is the One and the Only Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Owner, Organizer, Provider, Master, Planner, Sustainer, Cherisher, and Giver of security.
• Allah declares that His knowledge is encompassing all of His creation.
• Nothing ever escapes His observation – even if people wish to hide something from Him.

In the two Sahihs it is recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said that the Messenger of Allah said:

“The matter of the creation of one of you is put together in the womb of the mother in forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his provisions, his life span, his deeds, and whether he will be blessed or wretched.”)

Al-Bukhari recorded that `Abdullah bin `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said,

“The Keys of the Ghayb (unseen knowledge) are five, nobody knows them but Allah. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow except Allah; nobody knows what is in the womb except Allah; nobody knows when it will rain except Allah; no soul knows at what place he will die except Allah; and nobody knows when the (Final) Hour will begin except Allah.”