How to become a better Muslim

Assalam alaykum wa rahmatullah

Dear questioner,

May Allah bless you and increase you in good.

A great scholar I respect once said, ” Make your goal only Allah, and you will get there.” From what you wrote, I could see that you are sincerely trying to find a way to get better and reach the state of the righteous. That is or should be the goal of every Muslim. First of all, you need to make a firm resolve and intention to seek Allah and take the means to achieve this.

I highly recommend the following advice I have received from my teachers, and I know it will prove very beneficial for you as well.

Set an hour or so a day or sometime during the week to study Islamic sciences. Start with learning our beliefs [Aqida] or the creed of the Muslims; a text like Imam al-Tahawi’s is good to start with for a beginner. Study a classical text on worship. Mainly the five pillars [ “Ascent to Felicity” by Faraz Khan is excellent!]. Last but not least, study a manual on Islamic spirituality. Perhaps the ” Book of Assistance” by imam al Haddad or “The Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance ” of Imam al Muhasibi [ translation of Imam Zaid Shakir!] or “Purification of the Heart” by Hamza Yusuf.

We offer courses on the above at SeekersGuidance, so you can register and take the class for free.

Try this for at least forty days. If you mess up on the 35th day, start a new calendar. Our teachers taught us that this is the way to achieve consistency.

Musa [peace be upon him] was granted forty nights to draw near to Allah.

This number is significant by scholars.

I highly recommend you find a mentor or a shaykh that you trust to guide you concerning your progress.

That is an excellent place to start, Insha Allah, and may Allah guide your affairs.

Please see:

[Imam] Yama Niazi

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani