10 Qualities of a Believer Described in the Qur’an

Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salat (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden). And those who pay the Zakat . And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts) except from their wives or (the captives and slaves) that their right hands possess, for then, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors. Those who are faithfully true to their Amanat (all the duties which Allah has ordained, honesty, moral responsibility and trusts etc.) and to their covenants. And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) Salawat (prayers) (at their fixed stated hours). These are indeed the inheritors. Who shall inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever. — Qur’an 23[Al-Muminoon]: 1–11

The Mu’meen is a true believer — the one who believes in God as One and stays firm with this proclamation. He was as described by God in the above mentioned verses of the Qur’an. A whole chapter was revealed in the holy book in honor of the believers. If you are a Muslim, then this is one of the greatest favor bestowed upon you. The guidance to Islam is not by your might, it’s only as destined. Do not feel safe in this state as many Muslims do. Neither should you look down on those who are non-Muslims as doomed — the table can turn around at anytime. For it’s only the Mu’meen whom Allah has assured of success. It’s quite pathetic that many Muslims are satisfied with the status quo of being ordinary Muslim. Little efforts do we put, in striving to become Mu’meen. The Mu’meen is simply a better Muslim and the best of Muslim is the Muhsin. Hence, the Mu’meen is never satisfied with this state until he strives to become a Muhsin which is the highest state of eeman.

To become a Mu’meen, you need to strive in keeping up with these distinctive traits of the believer enumerated above and elaborated below:

Believe in the unseen: The first characteristic of a believer is to believe in Allah — The One True God who created everything. It is this believe that propels other articles of faith which cannot be seen. This includes the believe in Angels, prophets, revelations, resurrection and destiny — either good or bad. And this is why God puts it clear thus:

This is the Book (the Quran) whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much). Those who believe in the Ghaib (Unseen) and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and spend out of what we have provided for them (i.e. give Zakat , spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allahs Cause). And who believe in (the Quran and the Sunnah) which has been sent down (revealed) to you (Muhammad Peace be upon him ) and in (the Taurat (Torah revealed to Moses) and the Injeel (Gospel revealed to Jesus), etc.) which were sent down before you and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. (Resurrection, recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell, etc.). They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful. — Qur’an 2[Al-Baqarah]:2–5

2. Adhere strictly to God’s injunctions: Indeed man was created weak and the purpose of his creation is to worship God. Of all God’s creation, it’s only mankind and jinn that have freewill. It means you can either choose to worship God the right way or not. This is nothing but a trial, in order to test who will fulfill the obligation of submissiveness. The true believer understands he has no choice other than to submit and remain steadfast until the last breathe is taken. God says:

Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion, and He is Able to do all things. Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving. — Qur’an 67[Al-mulk]:1–2

3. Guard against His forbidden: The believer tries as much as he can to stay away from what is unlawful as enjoined by God. No matter how difficult or confusing it may seem, he’d rather avoid it owing to doubts. This was well stated by the Messenger of God in the collections of Imam Bukhari: “verily, every king has a sanctum and the sanctum of Allah is his prohibitions.”

4. Show humility and mercy to people: The believers are humble and kind in character. They exhibit the most beautiful traits in human personality. The best example can be seen from the life of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Many people came to accept Islam from his excellent traits. He once said: “He is not one of us, the one who is not merciful to the young and respectful to the elderly” (Tirmidhi).

In another narration from Jubayr ibn Mut’im that a man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allaah, which part of the land is worst? He said: I do not know." When Jibreel (peace be upon him) came to him he said: "O Jibreel, which part of the land is worst?" He said: "I do not know, until I ask my Lord, may He be glorified and exalted." Jibreel went away, and stayed away for as long as Allaah willed that he should stay away. Then he came and said: "O Muhammad, you asked me which part of the land is worst and I said I did not know. I asked my Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, and He said: Its markets." (Ahmad)

5. Unshakable trust in God: The believers know fully well that everything -good or bad- comes to be by God’s will. No matter how difficult a situation may be, a true believer will not compromise his faith for a piece of cake. This is why God reassures the believer in the following verses:

…And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty) .And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things. — Qur’an 65[At-Talaq]:2–3

6. Endure trials with patience: Tribulations are part of life, this has been mentioned several times in the Qur’an. No believer will make a claim to faith without been tested. This test comes in a form of trial and God revealed the solution:

O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). — Quran 2[Al-Baqarah]:153

God’s apostle has this in addition: On the authority of Suhaib (may Allaah be pleased with him) he said: The Prophet (peace be upon him)said: “Amazing is the affair of the believer, verily all of his affair is good and this is not for no one except the believer. If something of good befalls him he is grateful and that is good for him. If something of harm befalls him he is patient and that is good for him” (Muslim)

7. Excellence as a virtue: Bare in mind that no one is perfect, for perfection belongs to Almighty, the All-Wise. Everything a believer does is executed excellently well. This is as encouraged by the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

Shaddad ibn Aws reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah has prescribed excellence in everything. If you have to kill, then kill in the best manner. If you have to slaughter, then slaughter in the best manner. Let one of you sharpen his knife so his animal is spared of suffering.” (Muslim)

8. No compromise on justice, even against oneself: This is a distinctive trait of the believer even as seen among common Muslims. The prophet (peace be upon him) once told his daughter Fatimah that his love for her will not stop him from executing God’s injunction if she violates the obligation of the Lord of the Supreme Throne.

Here is a golden admonition from God as found on the walls of Harvard law school:

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. — Qur’an 4[An-Nisa’]:135

9. They strictly guard their obligatory prayers: The believer does not only observe the five daily prayers. He goes the extra mile by doing supererogatory acts of worship — standing in the middle of the night. Allah’s apostle (peace be upon him) was reported to have said: “the coolness of my eyes is in the observance of prayer”. One of his wives cautioned him to have prayed excessively and as a result, he got a swollen feet. He responded to her: “shouldn’t I be a thankful slave of Allah?”

Verily, the prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. — Quran 4[An-Nisa’]:103

10. Indeed! These are the successful ones: Success is not in having a paying job or all the good things of life. True success is finding yourself as an inhabitant of paradise. The believers are those whom God has promised the supreme paradise.

On the Day you shall see the believing men and the believing women their light running forward before them and by their right hands. Glad tidings for you this Day! Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever! Truly, this is the great success! — Qur’an 57[Al-Hadid]:12

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