Characteristics of a Muslim

As a servant of the almighty Allah, we all should try to gain His pleasure. To acquire that massive success Allah has given us the correct path. The Quran we have got is the solution to every question and problem we face in our life. The merciful Allah has given us the right instructions so that we can reach our expected destination. The almighty wants to have us together in heaven. To fill that mission, He has fixed up the management of life for us. The name of this system is Islam. A person who passes his whole life through Islam is a Muslim. I am going to discuss the characteristics of a Muslim below:

Characteristics of a Muslim

Belief in the Unseen

In the Islamic context, Al-Ghaib (غيب) is unseen and unknown. According to the Holy Qur’an, mankind is unable to see Allah SWT and His attributes. Not only that, we are unable to see the existence, Abode, and Wanderings of the Supreme Lord, His process of Creation, His sent Messages, and the bearer of that Messages. Even we cannot see our life after death and the circumstances of that life. The concept of Iman in Islam refers to the strong and rational belief in these unseen things. And by placing firm faith in the unseen, the Muslims bear witness to the Tawhid of Allah Almighty. So, belief in the unseen is the fundamental constituent of Islam and one of the foremost characteristics of a Muslim. However, belief in the unseen or Al-Ghaib is based on: The Six Pillars of Iman in Islam.

Testifying to the Unitarianism

Testifying for monotheism is one of the obligatory characteristics of a Muslim.  There is no true godhood except Allah, He is only and unique, He has no partner in his oneness, and Muhammad (SAW) is His servant and messenger. To make this announcement is Unitarianism. Allah is almighty over all things and he has no partner in this dominion. Basically, The only deity worthy of worship is to acknowledge and bear witness to Allah as the only and unique entity.  A Muslim believes that only Allah alone knows the seen and unseen, the known and unknown and only He reserves the complete right to reign the entire universe. The declaration of Unitarianism has come in the Quran:

“Say, He is Allah, the one; Allah is self-sufficient; He begets not, nor was He begotten; and there is none co-equal or comparable unto him.”– Surah Al Ikhlas:1-4

Believing Muhammad SAW as the Last Prophet

Believing Muhammad SAW as the last prophet is as important as believing him as a servant and messenger of Allah. A person will not be able to become a complete Muslim until he believes in this concept. Because in the Quran Allah himself declares this issue:

“Muhammad (SAW) is not the father of any man among you, but he is the messenger of Allah and the last(end) of the prophets.” – Surah Al Ahjab:40

Surrender to Allah

After believing in the unseen and unknown, testifying to Unitarianism, and believing in the last prophet the concept of ‘surrender to Allah’ comes in front. A Muslim believes that his whole life is only the divine gift of the Almighty and he should be most obedient to Allah in every step of his life. He dedicates himself only to Allah for his both worldly and Hereafter happiness, prosperity, and success. A Muslim remains restrained from those expectations which are forbidden by his creator. He submits his will only to Allah. Surrendering oneself to Allah is an expensive virtue a Muslim must acquire. In the Qur’an Allah, the Almighty is ordering the believers to become completely surrendered persons (Muslim) before their death.

“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except being Muslims (the surrendered).”–Al Imran:102

Being a Worshiper of Allah

The Quran says: “I did not create … mankind except to worship Me” (51:56). Since Allah, the Almighty has created us to worship Him, every Muslim needs to be a good worshiper. Worship means every good deed one does or says following the Islamic law intending to please Allah the merciful. Worship includes rituals and beliefs, social activities, and personal contributions to the welfare of one’s fellow human beings. Although the concept of worship is commonly considered to mean performing ritualist acts like prayers, fasting, charity, etc. the traditional definition of worship in Islam includes almost everything in any individual’s activities for the pleasure of the Almighty Allah. That’s why the Quran says:

“Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” Al-An’ am: 162

Read Also: The Concept of Worship in Islam

Doing Righteous Good Deeds

Doing good deeds will reward Muslims and help them gain the mercy of Allah in this world and afterward. Islam believes that good deeds are one of the pillars of faith and a witness to the Tawhid. Certainly, a good deed is pleasing to the Almighty Allah. Good deeds are always should be done following Islamic law and intended to please and obey the Almighty.

Good deeds are included with all that the Almighty Allah has commanded us to do in the term of obligatory and desirable acts of worship. A Muslim should perform them in obedience to Allah and submission to his law for being a person of righteous deeds. This verse shows us the importance of doing good deeds.

“So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord – let him do righteous deeds and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.” Al Kahaf: 110

Being obedient to Allah And Messenger

Islam teaches us to be obedient to the Almighty and His messenger in every term of our life. A Muslim believer always follows the HARAM and HALAL that are circumscribed by the Lord and His prophet (on behalf of Allah). He remains grateful and obedient in the worship of Allah following the Sunnah of Muhammad SAW to achieve the satisfaction of the merciful Almighty. A true believer restrains himself from those which are prohibited by his Lord. He does things according to the way that Allah has determined through Qur’an and His prophet SAW. That’s why this is one of the most essential characteristics of a Muslim. Our Lord is ordering us to obey Him and His messenger to be proper believers.

“And obey Allah and his messenger (Muhammad SAW), if you are believers” Al Anfal:0

Fearing Allah Alone

A Muslim firmly believes that Allah, the knower of the unseen and seen, sees and hears everything. So, he is always aware of the consequences of disobedience to Allah and the punishment of the hereafter. He fears Allah with all due respect and abstains from all kinds of sins and evil deeds, and in return, he prays to Allah alone. In the holy Quran Allah, the Almighty has commanded us to fear him properly:

“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared.”– Al Imran:102

Seeking from Allah Alone

Since the sole owner of our worldly and hereafter success is Allah Almighty and all kinds of prosperity and misery are under His command, a Muslim surrenders his overall needs to Him alone and prays for His help in times of trouble or distress. Quran teaches us to seek our overall needs only from Allah.

“you alone we worship, and you alone we ask for help”– Surah Al Fatiha:05

Being Patient in Distress

It is one of the most important characteristics of a Muslim. A Muslim has a strong belief that all success lies in attaining the satisfaction of Allah Almighty and surrendering all one’s desires to Him alone. Therefore, he considers all kinds of worldly crises as a test given by Allah and he keeps patient and relies on Allah alone to overcome them. He never falls into frustration or depression. The Quran is inspiring us to keep patient with every difficulty.

“And certainly, I shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As- Sabirin (the patient ones)”. Surah Al Baqara:155

Conclusion

After believing in the basic tenets of Islam, a Muslim adheres to monotheism. He submits all his desires to his Lord alone. He strives to attain the pleasure of Allah Almighty through obedience to Him and His messenger and good deeds. May Allah grant us Tawfiq to acquire and retain these characteristics of a Muslim.  (Ameen)

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