Self improvement requires a person to examine himself. Unless this is undertaken, a person will not be able to visualise his true value. The failure to undertake such may cause a person to be misled into believing that whatever he says or does is right. The danger is even greater if you are a person of wealth, power and position. Under such circumstances, the possibility of being carried away with praise and flattery, can lead to one become egoistic, intolerant and arrogant.
Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the well known Muslim scholar of our times has said to this effect, that it is necessary for an individual to pause at the end of each day that has passed in order to examine himself by going through his achievements as well as good and bad actions:
There is a need to examine what we have done during the course of the day. There is a need to examine why it was undertaken? Was it voluntary or forced upon us? Did we do it willingly and was it beneficial to us or harmful? Did it enjoy Allah´s pleasure or displeasure?
These are just some of the questions that need to be asked so that we may take heed of the direction we are taking – whether such is leading us to Allah´s blessings or His displeasure?
This exercise can be undertaken after each daily prayer, or it may be undertaken after the final prayer at night, where having performed the Isha´ Prayer, one sits on his praying mat and ponders and reflects upon all his actions throughout the day.
Undertaking such would be in his own interest because through such an exercise one would be able to identify weaknesses, sins, good points and bad ones, and then act upon improving those that deserve attention. This would most certainly please Allah, because He is ar-Rahman, nir-Rahim – The Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
This self-examination could also take place just before one retires to bed at the end of the day. It would lead to the individual waking up the following morning refreshed, with a new vision and a new task ahead, namely to tackle his weaknesses.
Syyidna ´Umar (r.a.) once asked Abu Dhar Ghifari (r.a.) whether he was a hypocrite, to which he replied that ´Umar was not one, and that worrying about being one, was a sign of Iman – meaning faith within one.
So it is necessary and important for one to be always concerned with his weaknesses, because through it arises fear of Allah´s displeasure, as well as the need to improve, which in turn fulfils the Prophet´s saying, where he made mention after returning from the battlefield, that the battle ahead of them, a reference to the “nafs” was far more greater than the one that just took place at the battlefield.
What this actually signifies is that we have to wage war against our carnal desires on a daily basis, while going out to the battlefield, though equally important only takes place once in a while. It is not an ongoing affair as it is with the ´self´.
Self-criticism and appraisal should certainly be counted among man´s moments of progress; it is a moment when man impartially sits as a judge over himself and reviews his yearnings and inclinations, his instincts and motivations. It is a moment when the believer appoints, out of his conviction, a policeman to watch over himself, an investigator to probe him, and a judge to condemn or acquit him. In this way he progresses from the state of "the soul that incites to evil" to the state of "the self- reproaching soul" which reproaches its owner whenever he plunges into sin, or falls short of expectation.
The Saying of the Prophet (s.a.w.) which states that "It behoves any sane person to have four periods of time" and one of the four periods is "a period in which he engages in self-criticism." If we undertake this task, it will surely help us contain those unhealthy instincts within us, and make us better servants of Allah Almighty.
Self-examination is related to progress and development. It covers both the physical and spiritual states. From a physical point of view, it makes a person a better one through his conduct and behaviour. From a spiritual point of view, it provides strength and determination to strive against one´s weaknesses, so that one can achieve closeness to Allah.
What is significant here is the effort. Allah looks at our motives and intentions. He does not look at our looks. It is the effort that counts because it is for Him to reward, while it is our duty to strive. Whether we succeed or not, it is a matter that solely lies in His hands, but what does count most is the sincerity of efforts, and it is here that one will find Allah´s mercy, forgiveness and reward.
In Surah Nisa verse 45 the Qur´an states, "Sufficient is Allah as an ally and sufficient is Allah to bring victory". Muslims are given that pledge by Allah, that He will be on their side and favour them with victory. If we examine this verse, we will note that every struggle depends to a great extent on faith and belief in Allah. Therefore, if a person ponders and reflects upon his daily actions and then strives to improve upon them, of a surety, he must finally attain victory and success.
For such to take place, certain conditions have to be met. The first of these is that support is not granted to those who merely sit and wait for things to happen in their favour. This means that one has to strive for such and it is this striving that draws the attention of Allah.
The condition of any support from Allah is faith and obedience to Him. Mere faith is insufficient, because it has to be translated into actions, and these take on the form of obedience and submission to Allah Almighty. As such, being a Muslim amounts to nothing much if it is not followed by submission and obedience to the commands of Allah.
For example, at the battle of Uhud, the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. suffered physical injuries to the head. He lost a tooth owing to negligence by his troops and shortcomings in preparing for war. A band of archers had abandon their position in favour of loot, a clear sign of disobedience, which ultimately resulted in huge losses to the Muslims.
This incident clearly shows us that even with the Prophet´s presence, the Muslims still suffered a loss – a clear sign that Allah does not favour Muslims just because they are Muslims, but He favours those who believe in Him and submit themselves to His commands. So don´t ask of Allah, why such and such should befall you, but rather reflect upon your own actions, to see where the fault lies. |
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