How Islam Encourages Personal Growth and Self-Development?

Introduction

From religious matters to business affairs, from family matters to societal issues, and personal growth to self-development, Islam guides its followers holistically. If you carefully analyze Islamic practices, you’ll find that each one is not only an act of worship but also leads to the believer’s personal growth and development. For example, if you consider daily prayers, they bring punctuality into one’s life; fasting fosters patience and tolerance in Muslims; Zakat makes them care for the people with low-income and needy; and Hajj requires them to spend their money and get involved physically to visit Allah Almighty’s house. Other than these worship, Umrah in Ramadan, giving charity, Nafal prayers, duas, and even saying Salam to fellow Muslims have a purpose behind them. In this guide, we will examine how following Islam in its true spirit leads to personal growth and self-development.

4 Ways Islam Encourages Personal Growth and Self-Development

Spiritual Growth through Prayers

The relationship between Allah (SWT) and Muslims exists based on various worship. These worships act as a way to connect with the Creator and include offering daily prayers, reciting the Quran, keeping fasts, and giving Zakat. All of these acts give us a chance to get closer to Allah Almighty and thank Him for His blessings.

Personal growth and self-development are based on how timely a person performs his or her duties. When a person offers 5 daily prayers, especially the morning prayer, Fajr, they automatically start following a strict time routine. This ensures that people are never late for their work and complete all their tasks timely.

On the other hand, fasting leads to self-control. Something that is very important for personal growth. If you don’t know when to stop or ignore, you will keep getting into petty arguments at the workplace and at home. In Islam, personal growth is based on how well you treat the needy and poor. This is why Islam requires every financially stable (having Nisab) Muslim to pay Zakat yearly. In addition to this, doing charity regularly is also highly valued.

Self-Development through Knowledge

Most Muslims know that the first revelation to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was about studying and reading. A verse from Surah Iqra says, “Read! In the name of your Lord who created.” This clearly shows how important it is to study and learn in Islam. The best thing about this verse is that it doesn’t limit Muslims to studying only Islam. It just says “Read.”

There are various verses in the Quran that implore Muslims to explore the world and study its complexities. It is now up to us whether we follow its directions or remain stuck in petty issues with each other.

Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) made sure that Muslims studied well and taught them all the affairs as well. Whether you need guidance in domestic matters, administrative matters, military planning, development, or foreign relations, examples from the life of the Holy Prophet (SAW) are here to guide you on the right path.

When you study and enhance your vision, it leads to cognitive development, enabling you to make critical decisions correctly. In the Western world, it is often said that reading is very important to succeed in life. In Islam, the emphasis on reading is far greater. Islam is so accepting when it comes to gaining knowledge that it doesn’t even stop Muslims from studying other religions.

Personal Growth Through Character

The reason the number of Muslims grew exponentially during earlier times was the conduct of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was so kind throughout His life that he forgave everyone, even the worst of his enemies. When Muslims migrated to Medina and built Masjid e Nabwi, they didn’t prevent people from other religions from seeking shelter inside the mosque.

The Quran, at various points, urges Muslims to speak softly and be kind to others, no matter how tough the conditions get. It implores Muslims to be loving to the needy, orphans, and homeless. Every single Surah teaches Muslims about character building.

For this purpose, the most important thing to learn and practice is Sabr (patience and tolerance), especially in times of adversity. On the other hand, it teaches believers to be modest when they have an abundance of things. Let it be a wedding, birth, or death; Islam wants its followers to be modest, calm, and patient. In the Holy Prophet’s (PBUM) last Hajj sermon, he clearly mentioned that no one is superior based on color, race, or financial status. If there is some preference, then it is based on his taqwa, and ONLY Allah (SWT) is to decide it.

Growth through Self-Reflection

Islam is a modern religion that requires Muslims to move forward after asking Allah Almighty’s forgiveness and seeking his blessings. But it doesn’t mean that it allows you to repeat your mistakes again and again willingly.

It stresses Muslims to reflect on their actions and ensure that they don’t do anything sinful again. This is known as Muhasabah or introspection. Following this practice helps one think about what they did wrong and how they can avoid it in the future.

Along with this, Islam teaches Muslims to take responsibility instead of lying. If something wrong happens, then you can ask for forgiveness from Allah (SWT). In case you have wronged your fellows, you need to first ask their forgiveness and then Allah Almighty’s. He says that the rewards of your actions are based on intentions. If you have unwillingly committed a sin while you had a good intention all the time, there is nothing to worry about, as Allah Almighty is all-listening and will surely forgive.

Wrap-Up

At the end, it is enough to say that there is no exam in life whose syllabus has not been defined by Islam. Those who follow Islam wholeheartedly not only excel in this world but also secure their forgiveness in the hereafter. It is time that you come back into the fold of Islam and become a better version of yourself. For this purpose, doing an Umrah is a perfect thing to do. Muslims Holy Travel, a UK-based Umrah tour operator, is right here to help you plan your journey with its wide range of Umrah packages, such as group, family, women-only, and Ramadan Umrah packages.