Regaining Faith In Islam: A Guide To Spiritual Renewal

Regaining faith in God in Islam can be challenging, but it is possible through various means. One way is to increase hope and trust in Allah, seeking forgiveness and refuge in Him. Additionally, performing good deeds, such as reading the Quran, giving charity, remembering Allah, and upholding family ties, can strengthen one's faith. It is also beneficial to seek knowledge from credible Islamic sources, such as the Quran and Sunnah, to gain a deeper understanding of the religion. Practicing Islam as much as possible, including daily prayers and fasting during Ramadan, can help build a stronger connection to the faith. Furthermore, finding a supportive community, like-minded Muslim friends, and a knowledgeable teacher can provide guidance and support during this journey. It is important to remember that spiritual awakening and introspection are natural parts of one's journey towards strengthening their faith in Islam.

Practise Islam as much as you can

Practising Islam as much as you can is a great way to strengthen your faith and connection with God. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

> “He who loves my Sunnah has loved me, and he who loves me will be with me in Paradise.” (At-Tirmidhi, 2678)

As a new Muslim, you may struggle with the five daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and other practices. This is a radical change in lifestyle and will take some time. Don't fret if you can't keep up with all the devotional practices right away. Gradually work yourself into the mindset of worship.

• Pray to God: Ask Him to make it easy for you, and the rest will follow naturally.
• Read the Quran: Try to read the Quran whenever possible. The more you read, the stronger your connection with God will become.
• Find a collection of Hadith: Reading collections of Hadith, such as Riyadhus-Saliheen, will help you understand the teachings and guidance of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Find a teacher: It can be helpful to find someone knowledgeable about Islam and the English language and culture to answer your questions and provide guidance.
• Go to the mosque: Attending the mosque, especially on Fridays, will connect you with other Muslims and provide opportunities for networking and friendship.
• Make Muslim friends: Socialising with other Muslims will help you feel supported and part of the community.
• Avoid loneliness: Loneliness is a common problem for converts. Spend time with good company and maintain a social life to avoid depression and negative thoughts.

Remember, a little knowledge with practice is better than much knowledge with no practice. Even if you're not perfect, putting your faith into action will bring you closer to God and strengthen your connection with Islam.

Seek knowledge of the Quran

Seeking knowledge of the Quran is an important step in strengthening your faith in Islam. The Quran is described as the "nourishment of every person's soul, the light of the heart and guidance to the straight path". It is a source of strength and guidance for Muslims, providing answers to life's problems and helping to build a connection with Allah.

The Quran is a journey that Muslims embark on, and it is important to read it in a language that one understands, reflecting on the guidance that Allah provides. By reading and understanding the Quran, one can gain a deeper knowledge of who Allah is and one's relationship with the creator. This, in turn, can lead to a stronger faith and a sense of Allah speaking directly to the reader.

The Quran also provides solutions to problems and challenges that one may face in life. It offers guidance on how to live a righteous life and make decisions that are aligned with Islamic teachings. It is a source of comfort and support, knowing that Allah is aware of the struggles and trials that people face.

Additionally, reading the Quran can help Muslims to develop a stronger sense of responsibility and awareness of the Hereafter. The Quran reminds believers of their duties and obligations, as well as the consequences of their actions in this life and the next. It encourages Muslims to strive for Paradise and to seek forgiveness for their sins.

Moreover, the Quran serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for Muslims. It contains stories of endurance and perseverance, such as the story of Bilal, who endured torture and remained steadfast in his faith. Reading about the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions can inspire Muslims to strengthen their own faith and remain dedicated to their religious practices.

Finally, seeking knowledge of the Quran can also involve understanding and implementing the teachings in one's daily life. This includes abiding by the laws of Allah, performing obligatory and voluntary acts of worship, and striving to live a righteous life. By incorporating the Quran's teachings into one's daily routine, Muslims can strengthen their faith and develop a closer relationship with Allah.

Increase your good deeds

Walking to the mosque

Walking to the mosque is a great way to increase your good deeds. The Prophet Muhammad said:

> "Whoever purifies himself for ablution in his house and he walks to a house among the houses of Allah in order to fulfill an obligation among the obligations of Allah, then one step of his will expiate his sins and another step will elevate his status."

Walking to the mosque not only increases the value of your good deeds but also decreases the stain of your sins. In fact, for every second step you take towards the mosque, one sin will be eliminated.

Almsgiving

Almsgiving is a pillar of Islam and is required of all Muslims through the pillar of zakat. However, those who continue to give to charity outside of their zakat obligations can expect their supererogatory donations to stand in their favour when faced with judgement on the Last Day. Even the smallest act of charity will yield massive rewards for the giver. Donating something as minute as a date to someone in need will be multiplied by Allah until its significance is "greater than a mountain".

Fasting

Fasting during Ramadan is also a pillar of Islam and is required of all Muslims. However, you can also choose to fast outside of Ramadan, which can seriously elevate your status in the eyes of Allah. According to a hadith from Abu Huraira, the Prophet Muhammad said:

> "Every deed of the son of Adam is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times. Allah the Exalted says: Except for fasting, for it is done for my sake and I will reward it."

Being a generous host

Being a generous host is another way to increase your good deeds. In a hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, Aisha bint Abi Bakr, a wife of the Prophet Muhammad, recalls her husband saying:

> "When a woman spends in charity from her house's meal without wasting it, then she will have a reward from what she spent. Her husband will have a reward from what he earned, and the storekeeper will have a similar reward. Their rewards will not decrease each other in anything."

By providing ample food to their guests, the occupants of a home can ensure rewards for multiple people. According to the above hadith, the woman who prepared the meal will be rewarded by Allah for her dedication to providing her guests with a quality meal, her husband will be rewarded for earning the money that paid for the meal, and even the storekeeper from whom the contents of the meal were purchased will see his good deeds multiplied.

Sending blessings upon the Prophet

Sending blessings upon the Prophet is a means of showing respect and can also bring blessings upon oneself. According to Abu Hurayrah in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad stated:

> "Whoever sends blessings upon me once will have Allah send blessings upon him ten times."

A similar story was reported by Imran ibn Hussein, who recalled the Prophet responding to a man who placed blessings upon him by saying: "Ten good deeds." When a second man approached the Prophet and said, "Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah," he replied, "Twenty good deeds." A third man then arrived and placed blessings upon the Prophet, saying, "Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings." The Prophet responded, "Thirty good deeds."

Avoid loneliness

Loneliness is a complex emotion that affects many people, including Muslims. Islam teaches that hardships, including loneliness, are tests from Allah, and strengthening one's relationship with Him through prayer, Quranic recitation, and remembrance of Allah can help overcome these feelings. Here are some ways to avoid loneliness as a Muslim:

Embrace Faith and Spirituality:

• View loneliness as an opportunity for spiritual growth and self-improvement.
• Strengthen your relationship with Allah through regular prayer, Quranic recitation, and Dhikr (remembrance of Allah).
• Find solace and a sense of connection to a higher purpose through prayer.

Engage with the Muslim Community:

• Participate in communal prayers, Islamic festivities, and social events at the mosque to meet like-minded individuals.
• Volunteer within the Muslim community to find a sense of belonging and purpose.
• Reach out to a local Imam or Islamic centre to learn about community events or initiatives.

Build and Strengthen Relationships:

• Be proactive in building relationships with fellow Muslims.
• Attend classes, events, or activities at an Islamic centre or mosque to connect with others.
• Don't be afraid to initiate conversations and approach people, especially those wearing hijab or at prayer rooms.
• Utilize social media platforms like Instagram to connect with other Muslims.
• Focus on building and improving family relationships, even if they are non-Muslim.

Patience and Reflection:

• Practice patience (Sabr), which is highly valued in Islam, and trust in Allah's plan.
• Reflect on the prophets' lives and their trials to gain insights into managing solitude.
• Maintain a spiritual diary to track your thoughts, emotions, and spiritual progress.

Seek Knowledge and Personal Growth:

• Attend lectures, join study circles, or enrol in online Islamic courses to connect with like-minded individuals.
• Pursue Islamic knowledge to combat loneliness and connect with others on a spiritual level.

Gain a connection to the Arabic language

Gaining a connection to the Arabic language is an important step in strengthening your faith in Islam. Arabic is Islam's standard liturgical language and is generally given a special role in education and worship. The Quran, which many Muslims see as a divine revelation and the direct word of God, is written in Arabic. Translations of the Quran are seen as interpretive texts and are not treated as the Quran itself.

Learning Arabic is a way to gain a deeper understanding of the Islamic faith. Classical scholars and intelligentsia have recognised the importance of Arabic in understanding the Quran. For example, Omar Ibn Al-Khattab stated that learning Arabic is essential for understanding the Quran, and Ibn Jinni argued that weak Arabic knowledge leads to deviation from Islamic Sharia.

• Start by learning the Arabic alphabet and connecting letters together. You can learn this in an afternoon if you know a native Arabic speaker, but go at your own pace.
• Once you have a basic understanding of the alphabet, you can start to follow along with a recitation of the Quran. You will begin to recognise words, and from there, you can move on to simple grammar rules.
• Learn common nouns and prepositions first (words like "in", "on", "for", and "with").
• Arabic can be enjoyable, and you will inevitably gain an Islamic vocabulary by listening to talks or lectures. Eventually, you will know the meanings of Arabic words like "furqaan" (Quran) and "sajdah" (prostration).
• Remember to have patience (sabr) with yourself as you learn.

By connecting with the Arabic language, you will not only gain a deeper understanding of Islam but also be able to participate in daily prayers, which often consist of recitations from the Quran.

Frequently asked questions