One of the important characteristics of a Muslim is that he remains in a positive state of mind, whatever the circumstances are. He tries for the best and wait for the result which is certainly from Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) based on Divine Wisdom.
A Muslim is never in despair, not even in most difficult moments. That is because they believe that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is the Creator of all things; that He has the power to create whatever He wants by just saying it to “Be!”
The faithful knows that any difficult and tough times, he finds himself in, is a test and trial sent by Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). He takes things in his stride, recalling what Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), the Almighty, has advised him:
وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكۡرَهُواْ شَيۡٔٗا وَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ لَّكُمۡۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّواْ شَيۡٔٗا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ (216)
“………It could be that you dislike something, when it is good for you; and it could be that you like something when it is bad for you. Allah knows, and you do not know.” (al-Baqarah 2:216)
Everything turns positive for a Muslim depending on firmness of his belief on Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). Even it is trouble or difficulty, He is Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) Who bestows them on that person. He is believers’ Helper and Guardian. Anything and everything that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), the Almighty, has created is for the best of us and certainly contains Divine Wisdom.
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) teaches the souls of those believers who have a sincere and unsullied belief in Him throughout the life of this world to be worthy of Jannah (Paradise) .Every stage in this instruction is, by Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Will, a means whereby Muslims can take another step towards Jannah. Having faith does not mean making that he will be totally free of mistakes. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) creates human beings to be fallible, flawed and weak.
Muslims make mistakes the same way as everyone else. But the difference between them and those people who base themselves on the criteria of the society of the ignorant is that when Muslims realize the correct course of action by way of their consciences, or even if they do not but are reminded of it by others, they do not deliberately insist on continuing with their errors.
It is immediate repentance and sheltering in Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) and an intention not to repeat one’s error but to learn from one’s mistakes. This is a major indicator of a Muslim’s sincerity. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) tells us how Muslims should behave in the face of their own mistakes:
وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُواْ فَٰحِشَةً أَوۡ ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ ذَكَرُواْ ٱللَّهَ فَٱسۡتَغۡفَرُواْ لِذُنُوبِهِمۡ وَمَن يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَلَمۡ يُصِرُّواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُواْ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ (135)
“—- and those who, when they happen to commit a shameful act or wrong themselves, remember Allah, then, seek forgiveness for their sins —and who is there to forgive sins except Allah, and do not persist in what they have done, knowingly.” (Aale ‘Imraan 3:135)
Muslims are valuable entities bearing the Nisbah (Attribution) towards Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). As explained in above Aayah (Verse), it is improper for such people to exaggerate their mistakes and regard themselves as worthless because of them. It is Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) Who creates situations to test them. If failed once he will face the next one till death just to return them back to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) for He loves His creation.
Even before a person is born, it is already ordained in destiny at what time, on what date and where they will be tested.
Even if a person were to experience that moment a thousand times over they would still face the same situation at the same time, on the same date and in the same place.
It is therefore wrong for people to lack confidence because of errors they have committed. Muslims never, under any circumstances, pay any heed to the approval of other people. They never become preoccupied with such doubts as “I wonder what people will say? What will they think of me? Will they love me any less? Will their trust in me be damaged?” Muslims seek to earn Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s approval alone.
In the event of an error or imperfection, they beg Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) to forgive them and hope that He will forgive their sins. They know that He is infinitely forgiving. What matters is whether or not He approves of that person. The supplication of Hadhrat Prophet Ibrahim (Prophet Abraham) is an excellent model on this subject.
إِنَّا نَطۡمَعُ أَن يَغۡفِرَ لَنَا رَبُّنَا خَطَٰيَٰنَآ أَن كُنَّآ أَوَّلَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ (51)
“We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our faults, as we are the first of the believers.” (ash-Shu’araa 26:51)
Since Muslims have faith and trust in and rely on Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), they always regard themselves as virtuous and valuable, being best of the creations of their Lord Almighty, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). They always have respect for themselves and other fellow human beings.
They always remember what Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) said:
وَلَا تَهِنُواْ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَوۡنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ (139)
“Do not lose heart and do not grieve, and you are the upper-most if you are believers.” (Aale-‘Imraan 3:139)
This represents the way they look at themselves, being attributed to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). They also know it is Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) Who will create that love and bestow that feeling of trust in others’ hearts. Muslim’s mistakes are instrumental in strengthening the love felt for those people who commit mistakes. That is because the important thing is not the mistake, but the behavior in the face of it of the person committing it. Since Muslims fear Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), they have uneasy consciences when they make an error. They immediately think as they are shown in the Quraan and thus see the truth.
They then feel regret for their mistakes and strive to make up for their mistake and to improve their moral values by seeking shelter in Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). The more errors people commit, the more they are able to realize how weak they are.
They attain a deeper understanding of how much they need Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Help to remain on right path. This mindset increases a person’s submission to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) and humility. And Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) creates feelings of sympathy and affection for that person in the hearts of others.
The responsibility incumbent upon believers is to ensure that the moral values of the Quraan rule their lives to seek the greatest amount of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s approval in all they do at every moment of their lives.
It is impossible, according to the moral values of the Quraan, for anyone harboring such an intent and who lives for Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) in a determined and fixed manner, not to be loved or trusted. Faith requires that Muslims know this and that other Muslims will love them because of that faith.
It also requires that they have trust that only Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) can create that love in others’ hearts. As Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) tells us in another Aayah of Quraan:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ سَيَجۡعَلُ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ وُدّٗا (96)
“Surely, those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them the All-Merciful (Allah) will create love.” (Maryam 19:96)