These Are 8 Habits From The Quran for the New Muslim To Achieve Greatness
Greatness! We seek it, but often times in the wrong places.
God tells us in the Quran, “When guidance in revelation comes to you from Me, as it certainly will, there will be no fear for those who follow My guidance nor will they grieve.” 2:38
As new Muslims, we’ve made a lot of changes. Let’s try to really transform ourselves in 2017, let’s take inspiration from these 8 habits from the Quran to achieve success and greatness in our lives.
- Spend time consciously listing what you are grateful for in your life
“Remember that your Lord promised, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you.” 14:7
It’s that simple. If what you seek is more of something, then consciously thank God for what you already have. Make a daily list of 3 things you are grateful for in your day.
- Stay focused on your target and race towards it
“Race toward your Lord’s forgiveness and a Garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in God and His messengers. That is God’s bounty which He bestows to whomever He pleases. God’s bounty is infinite.” 57:21
In more than one place in the Quran, God reminds us to race and be among the first towards doing good. To be a competitor in any race, one must have a target and a direct path towards it.
Make it a habit to take immediate action toward your goals, rather than delaying and procrastinating.
- Find your burning desire and motivation
“God does not change the condition of a people (for the worse) unless they change what is in themselves.” 13:11
We procrastinate or struggle with consistency when there is a lack of burning desire and motivation to achieve a goal. The more passion for a goal, the more persistent we should be.
Seek what excites you, take the steps, have a sense of self-responsibility, and God will magnify your results.
- Ask God for every need, no matter how minuscule
“I am near. I respond to those who call Me” 2:186
Muhammad the Messenger taught us to ask God for our every need, even for salt or for a sandal strap when it breaks. As converts to Islam, we may think that asking God for small things is not correct, yet we have this wonderful report from the Prophet.
We should convert our goals, milestones, and resolutions into supplications and prayers. Let’s ask God to help us achieve our dreams and greatest desires.
- Ask God for good in both this world and the next
“There are some who pray, ‘Our Lord give us good in this world’ and they will have no share in the Hereafter: others pray, ‘Our Lord, give us good in this world and in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.’ “2:201
God teaches us to ask for goodness of both this world and the Hereafter. It is encouraged to ask for worldly needs (like career, marriage, health, or even leisure), so long as we are also asking for success in the next life.
- Structure and plan your day around the five daily prescribed ritual devotions
“When the prescribed ritual devotion has ended, disperse in the land and seek out God’s bounty. Remember God often so you may prosper.” 62:10
Our first priority of the day is to perform the five daily prescribed ritual devotions on time. This will first, ground us and increase blessings in our day, and second, result in productivity and consciousness of time. As new Muslims this can be the most difficult change in our lives to make, but it is also the most important.
- Sleep early and start your day at dawn
“Did they not see that We gave them the night for rest, and the day for light? There truly are signs in this for those who believe.” 27:86
“Perform the prescribed ritual devotion (formal prayers) in the period from the time the sun is past its zenith till the darkness of the night, and recite the Quran at dawn. Dawn recitation is always witnessed (by the angels).” 17:78
Even the most successful people in the business and academic world start their day at dawn. Seek blessings from the words of God by reading from the Quran soon after your dawn prescribed ritual. You will find that your most productive work is in the morning, and your most restful sleep is at night.
- Stop and smell the flowers
“Those who remember God while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides. Who reflect on the creation of the heavens and earth: ‘Our Lord! You have not created this without purpose–You are far above that!– Protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’ ” 3:191
“In the creation of the heavens and earth; in the alternation of night and day; in the great ships that sail the seas with goods for people; in the water which God sends down from the sky to give life to the earth when it has been baren, scattering all kinds of creatures over it; in the changing of the winds and clouds that run their appointed courses between the sky and earth; there are signs in all these for those who use their minds.” 2:164
“It is He who spread out the earth, placed firm mountains and rivers on it; and made two of every kind of fruit; He causes night to cover the day. There truly are signs for people who reflect.” 13:3
It’s a busy, hectic world we live in. Make sure to take time out for self-care and reflection. Pause and reflect on your direction and purpose in life, while seeking inspiration from nature and scripture.
God bless you and grant you success.