It is easier by far to blame others than to accept the responsibility oneself.
July 9, 2008
We have now understood the teachings of Islam. Based on this understanding, we can set a criterion of a true believer or a Momin, based on the original Islamic Scriptures. This compilation is an endeavour to do just that. Mankind needs a set of moral principles having universal validity as well as a real personality in which these moral principles are exemplified.The Prophet Muhammad is the only answer to the question. He proclaimed the ethics, which bear the stamp of divine authenticity, and is, moreover, a model of perfect conduct and character for all mankind. The Quran says,
You have indeed in the Messenger of God a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for anyone whose hope is in God and the Final Day and engages much in the Praise of God. (33:21)
According to this verse of the Quran, in the life and teachings of Muhammad (peace be upon him), we have a beautiful pattern to follow. Therefore, the Prophet Muhammad’s life is the only historical exemplification for a unified world morality. This exemplifies a true Believer.
According to Islam, a believer is one who has submitted to God in the fullest sense of the word. He is like a small infant who owes everything to his parents. His life revolves around them. A believer’s life should also revolve around God. God should dwell in his reflections. He should fear and love God alone. He should do everything for God’s sake. He should put total trust in God, his Guardian and Protector.
Usually, people live for mundane things. That is why they never find contentment. They either live for personalities or for worldly splendours. Either their families mean everything to them, or else they have made prestige and wealth their ultimate goals in life. Some are obsessed with hatred. Some live to thwart, humiliate or ruin others. All these ways of living are based on false notions. They are placing total reliance on things which are ephemeral and out of place in God’s cosmic order. These things can never give man true peace of mind. They do not allow one to proceed along the divine path, which is the only road to salvation. In this world all things live for God. If man succours himself otherwise, he will eventually find himself helpless and on a false path.
A startling transformation takes place in a person who starts living for God. He finds silence more gratifying than speech. He is happier to obey than to rebel, to forgive than to hold grudges, he tries to hide other’s faults. He is unassuming and self-effacing. He is not interested in occupying a privileged position.
According to Islam, a believer is a no-problem person. In all situations and circumstances he stands out as Mr. No Problem. His sensitivity towards others is so heightened that he does not like creating any problems whatsoever. The companions of the Prophet were very sensitive in this way—so much so that if a horse-rider’s whip fell to the ground, he would not ask a passerby to pick the whip for him. Instead, he would dismount and pick the whip himself (Abu Dawud, 2/124).
We learn from Islamic traditions that the best Muslim is one from whose tongue people are safe. From one of these traditions we have the saying: A believer is one who fears God and keeps people safe from his evil (Al-Bukhari).
According to another tradition recorded in Al-Bukhari, the Prophet of Islam observed: “Sadaqa (voluntary alms) is incumbent upon every Muslim.” That is, every Muslim should be a giver. Asked what to do if one had nothing to give, he replied that one should earn and be a giver. When asked what the would-be giver should do if he were unable to earn, the Prophet replied: He should voice his good intentions towards others. Asked if he were unable to do even that, the Prophet replied that he should then refrain himself from causing harm to others, because this is also a gift. (Fathul Bari, 10/462).
According to another Hadith, the Prophet observed: “A believer with perfect faith is one who struggles to spend his life and property in the cause of God. And the second in rank is one who is engaged in prayer in some corner and from whom people are safe (Sunan Abi Dawud, 3/5).
We have a large number of such traditions in books of Hadith. These demonstrate a range of characters, which can be taken as models for posterity. Of this selection, the individual—who ranks highest in character, is one who benefits others. The honest, but still acceptable standard of character in Islam is that of the individual who, being entirely harmless creates no problems for the rest of the society.
Islam greatly approves cleanliness. According to the Qur’an: God loves those that turn to Him in repentance and purify themselves (2:222).
When man rues his mistakes and returns to the path of truth, this is called an act of repentance. As such, it purifies man’s inner self. Just as by using water we can cleanse the dirt from the body, so by repentance we can purify the soul—the inner-self. That is why Islam lays great stress on both these things.
According to a Hadith: “Purity is half of faith.” Similarly the Prophet of Islam once observed: “God is clean and loves cleanliness.” (Ibn Majah)
The following compilation will give one an excellent idea of a true believer or a Momin:
To know about more about who a true believer contact us.
