Table of Contents
Going Back To The Start
It’s understandable that with learning and progression, confidence follows. After all, as reverts or those returning to faith, the goal should be to get ourselves to a reasonable level of independent practise.
However, sometimes our approach to studies can turn into a tick box activity and we can allow that confidence to give us a false sense of security. Sometimes as we move forward, we feel like we have studied enough of one area and quickly moving onto the next. As a result, we can find ourselves retaining surface level knowledge which could hinder our development and growth.
In the video, me and Samar (The Niqabi Diaries) get into our experiences within our own journey and the journeys of other revert Muslims. We found that reverts and those returning to faith can become overzealous and rush through subject areas that quick that important habit building or in-depth study goes out the window.
Al- Bukhari and Muslim
Our thirst for knowledge is admirable, but what is knowledge without sound understanding and implementation? It takes time, patience and perseverance to nurture the heart. Therefore, our goal should be to revise the fundamental subjects in order for us to purify it and our actions.
Aqeeda
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “If the heart is sound in terms of faith, knowledge and feelings, then this will inevitably lead to the soundness of physical actions, such as verbal statements and deeds. As the leading scholars of hadeeth said: Words and deeds, both inward and outward. What is outward must follow what is inward, so if what is inward is sound then what is outward will also be sound, and if it (the former) is corrupt, (the latter) will also be corrupt. Hence one of the Sahabah said concerning the one who prayed carelessly: If his heart had been humble and focused, his body would have been humble and focused.
Aqeedah refers to matters which are believed in, with certainty and conviction. The Arabic word stems from the root ‘aqada, which conveys meanings of certainty, affirmation & confirmation. In Islam, ‘aqeedah is a matter of knowledge and what a Muslim must believe in his heart. This is to have faith and conviction, with no doubts or misgivings.
Quran 2:285
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.”
This is also consolidated in the sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and shows his certainty on what Allah sent. In the famous hadeeth which describes how Angel Jibreel came to him and asked him about Islam, Iman & Ihsan. In the hadith, he said “Iman (faith) is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, the meeting with Him on the Last Day, His Messengers, and the Day of Resurrection.”
Muslim
Check out the book ‘Explanation of the Pillars of Eemaan‘ by Shaykh Fawzan.
Ibadah
It was narrated from Aa’isha r.a that “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had a mat which he would spread in the day and make into a small booth at night to pray in it. The people found out about that and they prayed when he prayed, with the mat in between him and them. He said: ‘Do as much of good deeds as you can, for Allah does not get tired (of giving reward) until you get tired. And the most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are continuous, even if they are few.’ Then he stopped that prayer and did not return to it until Allah took him (in death), and if he started to do something he would persist in it.”
Al-Bukhari and Muslim
So what does it mean to reach a level of independence in our practise? As reverts or as those returning to faith, it would be to act upon what is mandatory on us without need of step by step assistance. The guidance tells us that one of the greatest means of a person becoming steadfast in his journey towards Allah, is upholding our acts of worship.
This means to study the authentic sources on the topic of prayer and other acts of worship. We should commit ourselves to them without neglecting them and in the way that is pleasing to Allah. This was the way of all the Prophets (blessings and peace be upon them all). Therefore, it is important that we revise the topic of Salah etc, ensuring that they are of the best quality achievable. Good books to read on this would be ‘Description of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) Prayer‘ by Shaykh Al Albani and ‘Fortress of the Muslim‘ by Shaykh Said bin Ali Al Qahtani.
Iman
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend.
Abi Dawud
Iman is to have belief of the heart, but it is also actions of the limbs and speech of the tongue. The scholars tell us that it increases with good action and decrease with bad. This means that by doing acts of obedience, your Iman increases and by committing sin, it decreases.
Therefore, it would be wise of us to surround ourselves with good company, like-minded people who strive in the same cause. It is not something that is easily found but advice that is usually given to reverts, is to connect with a local masjid and attend groups of Doroos. You can also look online for study circles who are going to help nurture this very important part of you. However, one of the most important things you can do is to make Dua.
Allah loves it when we rely on him and there is nothing to big of an ask for the almighty. Seek for help through your lord and in’sha’Allah He will bless you with righteous companionship. Muslims, who want to better themselves and who want to achieve success in this life as well as the next.
