The Importance of Self Reflection in Islam
Our daily lives are filled with infinite distractions. Our mind, heart, and body need regular detoxification. Prophet Muhammed ๏ทบ took time to reflect on his thoughts and feelings in the cave of Hira. The life of Prophet Muhammed ๏ทบย itself is an example of developing the ability to acknowledge our emotions, no matter how uncomfortable. Dealing with difficult decisions and looking for answers.
When the revelations began, Rasulullah ๏ทบย was in a state of surprise, he confided in his wife Khadija, who understood and supported him. She became the first believer to bring Islam. Self-reflection is not just helping yourself, it is self-love, and knowledge of your strengths and weaknesses. It makes you stronger mentally, spiritually and increases emotional resilience.
5 Ways to Practice Self-Reflection
As Muslims, we are taught values that bring us closer to Allah. Through this article, you can explore how integrating the Islamic lifestyle will enhance your self-reflecting abilities, and improve the way you deal with yourself and others.
1. Practicing Mindfulness or Muraqabah
Mindfulness is to be aware of yourself and be present in your surroundings. Every living moment we are distracted. Practicing mindfulness becomes extremely difficult. So we turn to our religious beliefs and practices. Muraqabah is an Arabic word for meditation. However, it is slightly different from meditation as it is a religious practice. Salah is one way to practice muraqabah.
Pray 5 times daily with mindfulness, being aware that you are standing in front of Allah. It is not a coincidence that our prayers have repetitive forms and movements. Physical comparisons of the movements of Islamic prayers to yoga asanas reveal they are beneficial for relaxation, aiding to mental and physical wellness.
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet ๏ทบ said:
ููุญูุฏููุซูููุง ููุงุฑูููู ุจููู ู ูุนูุฑููููุ ููุนูู ูุฑูู ุจููู ุณููููุงุฏูุ ููุงูุงู ุญูุฏููุซูููุง ุนูุจูุฏู ุงูููู ุจููู ููููุจูุ ุนููู ุนูู ูุฑูู ุจููู ุงููุญูุงุฑูุซูุ ุนููู ุนูู ูุงุฑูุฉู ุจููู ุบูุฒููููุฉูุ ุนููู ุณูู ููููุ ู ูููููู ุฃูุจูู ุจูููุฑู ุฃูููููู ุณูู ูุนู ุฃูุจูุง ุตูุงููุญูุ ุฐูููููุงูู ููุญูุฏููุซู ุนููู ุฃูุจูู ููุฑูููุฑูุฉูุ ุฃูููู ุฑูุณูููู ุงูููู ุตูู ุงููู ุนููู ูุณูู ููุงูู โ โโ ุฃูููุฑูุจู ู ูุง ููููููู ุงููุนูุจูุฏู ู ููู ุฑูุจูููู ูููููู ุณูุงุฌูุฏู ููุฃูููุซูุฑููุง ุงูุฏููุนูุงุกู โโโ โ.โ
โ
The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state).
[Sahih Muslim, no. 482]
Praying 5 times a day with our entire focus and devotion to Allah distances our minds and bodies from our mundane lives. It filters unwanted thoughts and meaningless chatter that every part of our brain indulges in in every moment!
2. Profession of Faith
The first pillar of Islam is our profession of Faith, the acceptance and love for Allah. The appreciation of this splendid dunya. Allah says in the Holy Quran:
And Allah has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and hearts [i.e., intellect] that perhaps you would be grateful.
[Surah Al-Nahl, 16:78]
We need to liberate ourselves and our senses from all that distracts and corrupts us. Only when we love and appreciate ourselves can we appreciate the love of Allah. We shall all depart and journey towards Allah. Let your heart be full of love, grace and humility. Have tawwakkul (trust in Allah) that He has a plan for you.
And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.
[Surah Al-Talaq 65:3]
3. Journaling or Me-Time
Express yourself, it can be through words or actions. Be vulnerable, ponder upon important, deeper questions. They can be anything that might aid your reflection process.
- What’s the best way to love Allah?
- For what purpose has Allah created us?
- Does Allah test you more if you are closer to Him?
- Will Allah answer my duas if I don’t pray?
It may feel like a petty idea but cultivate mindful practices. The language doesn’t matter, the letters donโt matter, draw if that works for you. There is nobody to judge your thoughts except you.
Donโt be too harsh on yourself. Everyone plays multiple roles in life. Some roles might be more demanding than others; write down your roles and evaluate yourself. It is simply you, your thoughts, and recognizing the compassion you can develop for yourself.
4. Read
Instead of rushing to your library hunting for self-help books. Spend some time after fajr or maghrib and make time to read and understand the ultimate book, Al-Quran. The words of Allah. Iqra, to read, was the first revelation upon Muhammed ๏ทบ by Jibrael.
Recite in the name of your Lord who created.
[Surah Al-Alaq 96:1]
Allah commands us to venture, explore, seek knowledge and imbibe good characteristics that encourage us to live a prosperous life.
5. Manifesting Positivity
So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.
And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.
[Surah Az-Zalzalahย 99:7-8]
Challenge your perspectives and thought processes. Being rigid will only enhance your critical voice, and in turn, power self-limiting thoughts. This will give rise to negative self-perceptions and the chain will continue. Sincerity, honesty and willpower are the ingredients to hold your affirmations together. Manifest them every day.
Praise and glorify Allah. Start from there! You will require courage to practice self-reflective methods. However, the benefits of self-reflection, mindfulness and meditation will reduce stress and enhance the quality of your life.
To Love Yourself Is To Love Allah
Admire and appreciate Allahโs creation. For you are His finest.
For him [i.e., each one] are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah. Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron.
[Surah Ar-Raโd 13:11]
Thank you so much for this beautiful reminder. Jazakumullahu khairan.
Jazakumullahu for this thought.
Thank you very much for this beautiful reminder , mashallah ! It helped me a lot โคโจ
Thank you so much for this reminder it motivate me a slot ๐
Islam is beautiful and I thank Allah for been a muslim
Masha Allah
Beautiful and well recommended for self love self appreciation
I really enjoy this article. It is enjoyable and light, yet the actual topic is a deep one.
Am happy to hear more
So…so.. beneficial Algamdullilah
Massallah the of words of Allah is sweet, impresses , excited adorable words is more encouragable, is day smiling
Yesโค๏ธ
Alhamdulilah
Beautiful reminder.
Jazak Allah khair for your effort.
Very helpful and inspiring read . Masha Allah
Alhamudilliah ๐
This message is so helpful and useful for anyone looking to change or adjust to their lifestyleโฆ
I think the best for anyone needing to change their behaviour or lifestyle; first need to change their attitude or mindset to gain control for whatever they intend to achieve in their lives..
And sometimes we underestimate our willpowers or too exposed in a surrounding with all things negative – but still ok because thatโs where we need self reflection.
Ask yourself if you are happy, peace or successful and if you pulse to answer any of the questions then, this is when you need self reflection..
Our lifeโs are constantly changing by our age, climate changes and circumstances.
Be mindful and be prepared for changes in your life. My secret is trust Allah and be patience.
Salam
Jazakallah khyrun this type of work is needed please keep going
Much appreciated the effort
This is amazing, am actually struggling from making a decision about something in my life. And this has seal the deal for me
Simple and true
Thanks
very interesting
Allah created human being consist of
1. human body
2. Soul
3. Life
Human body is guided by the soul, without the soul, the body could not do anything. The Soul came directly from Allah, so the genius and power is in the Soul. The big problem is the human tend not to know the Soul, therefor the Soul just follow what the human wants. The highest degree in life is knowing the Soul, once you know the Soul, everything starts to change where later you will learn anything in this world through your soul. No more learning through human beings which causes many disputes. The big question mark is how to get to know your own Soul !!!
Even our Prophet Muhammad learns through angels, but later the angels had Prophet learn through Prophets own Soul. Remember our Soul is invisible. This is something out of the box where not everyone can see his own Soul. Inorder to meet your own Soul you need to find someone who has already seen his own Soul. Those who have already seen their own Soul can only intoduce someone Soul to its right owner. But it wonโt be that easy until you have full knowledge and really understand your ownself and your Soul. It has been said that your Soul is far without a distance neither near within you. Thats all for the time being. May Allah blessed us all and our great Soul.
Allah SWT has the answer for everything and everyone. As the creator he can show you your soul. Read His words then ypu will know your soul. Contemplate on His Holy Qur’an the amswer is yhere and in doing what He asks of us. The prayers with sincerity and asking Allah SWT for everything you meed for knowing Him. He takes your soul everytime you sleep, and can help you know yourself. Your soul is you.
Thanks for posting it. Indeed we need to reflect and introspect ourselves from time to time. Please keep posting such journals.
Jazakhallah! This is so inspiring. I truly enjoyed reading this article. May Allah bless us with knowledge & wisdom, Amine…????????????????
As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu!
May Allah bless and reward you for this timely reminder and make it beneficial to the believers and whoever reads its contents.
Good ????????
Assalamu Allaicom Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuho.I really appreciated to read the articles.
We need never to worry about anything that happnes with us..we should put our complete faith in Allah..as Muhammad (PBUH) said ” strange is the case of a believer as there is good in everything for him.
SubhanAllah Alhamdulillah Allahu Akbar, May almighty Allah give us ability to understand and steadfast on this journey, we will be happy in this world and next InshaAllah
Thinks this is the most amazing thing have ever heard. Thank You Guys.
I loved this. Thank you!!
Thinks this is the most amazing thing have ever heard. Thank You
Alhamdulilla
Best thing is that muraqaba Salah, How we feel our minds body happy.
Please work for Islam,We are perfect Muslim.
Very good advice,Alhamdulilla.
Refreshing and motivating
Stated in simple terms
Masha Allah jazakallahu khairan
Interesting and knowledgeable post! โฆ
Interesting very good post!
Wonderful suggestions ! Very pertinent in our everyday life , thanks
Loved the way they put together the ways of self reflection in Islam
Am a victim of broken heart but Alhamdulilah by reading this I can say ma depression is gett away
Thank you so much ,I loved they put together the ways of self reflection in Islam *๐
Amen
Thank you for this article. It came to me at a perfect time.
MashaAllah, very nice and precious nuggets to ponder upon
Yes very useful
This is a beautiful and ever timely post. Some of us are so busy tooting our horn as if we are perfect, ignoring the thought we harbor about others or ourselves including jealousy, envy and resentment. Just as you are what you eat, so are you what you think and it will manifest itself in your interpersonal, familiar and everyday actions. We all need to โlook st the man in the mirror and work – lifetime effort- to change the worst and bring out the best
Excellent article. May Allah guide me and follow the best way
Ma sha Allah, very inspirational.
Beautiful article on self reflection.JazakALLAH khair.????????โฅ๏ธ
The must beautiful lesson I ever learned
????โฃ๏ธ????????โผ๏ธ
Jazakum llahu khairan
Very interesting
Ma shaa Allah
Interesting subject
This is thought provoking. Excellent; MoshaAllah.
We need more of this.
Thanks, it was helpful
Beautiful and interesting subject
May Allah Allow me to practice good character , mindfulness , regular charity , a greater understanding of His Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muammad (saws) .
AMIN AMIN AMIN !
A beautiful message learnt a lot from it and enjoyed it. May Allah(SWT) bless us, Aameen!
I love and enjoyed this meaningful inspiration. I will work hard to hold these words dear.
And Prays ALLAh.
Prays be to ALLH!!!
Thank you for a beautiful reminder to reflect. I find this happens sometimes after doing the prayers, duas and reading the Qur’an. After reading your article I will make an effort to reflect more. Thank you.
Beautiful piece.JazaakAllahu khairan
Alhamdulilah, this is really inspiring
Alhamdullilah, thank you very much for such a though provoking and beneficial article.
Alhamdulillah Thanks so much for this โ๏ธIt really good for us to practice
Masha Allah
JazakalLahu bi khair