How to Be a Good Muslim...

once we are regularly practicing the five pillars of Islam, we are in contact with Allah. Prayer is our direct communication with Allah and this requires the correct intention, full concentration and humility.

We can still improve our relationship with Allah by doing more voluntary good deeds. These voluntary good deeds may take the form of extra prayers, fasts, charity (sadaqa). This can also include reading and understanding the Qur’an, memorizing more of it – even competing with family or friends, and generally helping others, whenever we can.

We can even avoid raising our voices, avoid arguing - and of course swearing… We can do more for our parents, share more with our brothers and sisters – whether blood relatives or not…

In fact, it is also an obligation for Muslims to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. If we are sincerely doing this for Allah, He will support our efforts and in this way we will feel closer to Allah.

The Qur’an says in Surah 47, verse 17:

*{And [as for] those who follow the right direction, He increases them in guidance and gives them their guarding [against evil]}*

Then, the knowledge we learn should be put to some use. That is, we should contribute to the society we find ourselves in. We can find ways to help, for example, some people give speeches in schools, visit the elderly, run errands for those who have limited mobility, help younger ones with homework, teach if they have skills that are in demand, etc.

For example, there is a growing movement in the UK for community centers, to be utilized by ethnic groups for learning functions. This includes teaching computer skills, aerobics, language classes – Arabic - and so on. I don’t know if this is a possibility in your country, or if you can even use classrooms in schools after the classes have finished?

In addition, there is this product that I used. It was a computer based quiz program (PCIQ) available from the Islamic Computing Center – along with others - where you can learn a little about Islam. You can do this, at the same time as competing with a friend on your knowledge of Islam.

You might have to have Arabic on the computer though; it is a long time since I tried it. Also, there are probably other products available on the market through companies such as Sound Vision.

Also, every Muslim should be familiar with the life of Muhammad (pbuh). In fact, I recommend the Sealed Nectar, which is a very good account in English. Also, we should read the stories of the sahabah (companions of the messenger), may Allah be pleased with them all. One of the easy books is the Asharah Mubasharah (the story of each of the ten companions, whom were given the news in their own life-time that they would go to Paradise.)

If you have a group of friends, you might consider discussing audiotapes and/or videos in a group. There are some excellent ones produced, which include Qur’an and science, evolution by Harun Yahya and the life of Muhammad (pbuh), for example…

Alternatively, there are various Harun Yahya websites and just about all of their books are available as free downloads. A word of caution here, make sure the websites you visit for Islam are really ones run by Muslims. There are a few out there, which claim to offer information on Islam, but they are not offering authentic Islam.

The last suggestion is to find yourself a group of good religious friends. Have someone as the coordinator and do some group study of the Qur’an and sunnah (biography of the messenger). It is best to do this with a native Arabic speaker, or at least someone who knows Arabic. That way, you stay within the boundary of the Qur’anic Arabic, when you have your discussions.

These are known as ‘study circles’. Generally, you study a passage from the Qur’an, read and discuss a hadith (sayings of the messenger) and look to see how to apply these in your daily life. While this can be done on an individual basis, it is easier in a group. Perhaps even a family group, if there were not many Muslims around you, would be a good idea…

One more thing, perhaps, to bear in mind, is that the first revelations to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came to build up the inner person, to improve one’s faith, to strengthen one’s ‘imaan (faith and belief), to give hope of Paradise and how to avoid Hell. Therefore, the Makkan Surah’s are the ones to study first, perhaps...

I also remember, over 30 years ago, when I came to Islam, people used to ask me:

“Did you first read the Qur’an from the front or from the back?”

The point being, the ones at the back are short, generally they only deal with one issue at a time. Therefore, they are easier to understand…

On a more light-hearted approach you could look into various cultural aspects of the Muslim world. Some aspects of culture are not always Islamic. This is even in Islamic countries. In fact, you and every Muslim need to be aware of that.

Food is usually such a fascinating subject and dress is another… But, there is also architecture and calligraphy, and probably more that you can think of. It really depends on your own interests.

God willing, you will have an exciting time learning and practicing your religion