(A to
Z) (insha-Allah)
you know that
you're a good Muslim
if:
a) you get upset that you overslept and missed praying the Fajr salah/prayer on time, yet upon getting up you straight away do your wudhoo/ablution and pray the Fajr salah as soon as possible.
b) you often remind your household/family to pray and if they’re asleep you wake them up for salah/prayer. Whenever you get the chance, you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. If you do see someone committing a sin and for some reason you are unable to correct their mistake, you at least hate that wrongdoing for Allah's sake.
c) you find yourself saying ‘Masha-Allah’ when something makes you happy instead of saying 'Wow', and ‘Insha-Allah’ a lot when referring to some meeting or event in the future.
d) you greet fellow Muslims always or most of the time with the salaam instead of ‘hi’, and you always make sure that you answer every Muslim's salaams.
e) you always say ‘SallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam’ when you hear the Prophet Muhammad’s name, even while you’re in the presence of non-Muslims, and encourage other Muslims to do the same.
f) you always purify your niyyah/intention before doing anything, and make sure you do all good deeds for Allah’s sake only.
g) you truly believe that there is only One God (Allah), and that Muhammad (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is Allah’s Messenger, and one of Allah’s Prophets (among them David, Moses, Abraham and Jesus etc.).
h) you believe in Allah’s angels who record good and bad deeds and that Allah will judge you on the Day of Judgement.
I) you always make sure that you pray the five daily salahs/prayers everyday, unless you are a sister and have an excuse to not pray at that time.
j) you understand the shortening and combining of salahs/prayers during travel, and are never ashamed of praying in public places such as airports, corners of malls or at an office.
k) you know that fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is a Sunnah, and that doing so will insha-Allah earn you reward from Allah. Not only do you usually fast on Mondays and Thursdays as Sunnah but you also fast on other days when it is Sunnah to do so like in Sha'baan before Ramadhan and on Yawm 'Arafa (for non-pilgrims).
l) you know the benefits of saying ‘SubhanAllah wa Bihamdihi’ one hundred times a day, and say other adhkaarAllah.
m) you don’t mistreat nor annoy your neighbors, even if they are non-Muslim, because Islam encourages good treatment of neighbors, and good manners wherever you are.
n) you’ve cried before, more than once, while praying, listening to the Qur’an or supplicating to Allah.
o) you always eat and drink with your right hand, and encourage fellow Muslims to do the same.
p) you usually pray the Dhuha (Sunnah) prayer in the forenoon, at least two Rak’ats.
q) you always say the adhkaar/words of remembrance of Allah after the five daily salahs/prayers (SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, Allahu Akbar 33 times, and Ayatul Kursy).
r) (if you’re a brother) you let your beard grow and trim your moustache. (if you’re a sister) you wear the hijaab (and for those with stronger faith/Iman, the niqaab/faceveil), because you believe that Allah ordered you to do so, and in order to distinguish yourself from the unbelieving women.
s) you understand that there is no such thing as nationalism, racism, and extremism in Islam; you dislike bullying (like when some people make fun of others) and all forms of oppression/tyranny.
t) you’re never shy to say ‘Alhamdulillah’ when you sneeze.
u) you know the benefits of memorizing and reciting from the Qur’an, especially reciting Surat Al-Mulk everyday.
v) you don’t celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, knowing that he (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) never celebrated his nor anyone else’s birthdays. Likewise, you never celebrate your birthday nor anyone else’s birthday.
w) you know that if you love Allah, you love His Messenger Muhammad (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam); and if you love Muhammad (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), you follow his Sunnah/tradition.
x) you regularly recite Surat Al-Kahf every Friday, and know the benefit of doing so. You also do other Sunnahs like saying 'Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aali Muhammad kamma sallayta 'ala Ibrahim wa 'ala aali Ibrahim Innaka Hameedun Majeed' etc. and other good du'as as many times as you can on that day.
y) you always try your best to concentrate on your salah/prayer when you pray.
z) you are aware that the main purpose of your creation is to worship Allah and obey Him. You regularly seek Islamic knowledge in order to become a better Muslim servant of Allah for His sake only :)
May Allah the Most Merciful accept all our good deeds, forgive all our sins and make us among His friends whom He loves to welcome in Heaven/Firdaus near Him and His Messenger Muhammad sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam. Ameen.
~Mariam Mababaya
Wisdom Islamic School
