I only understood the application of Ihsan in my daily life after I started reading about self-improvement, performance, and productivity. In studying these subjects I was exposed to many new ideas and practices. But many of these experts, coaches, and writers were not Muslim. Some of their ideas and practices weren’t necessarily compatible with Islam. It’s the same with much of the media, news, scientific research, popular culture etc. that we are exposed to. We need a way to stay grounded amidst this ideological bombardment.
“Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.” – Bruce Lee
In our final lesson, I’m going to teach you the ONE supplication that I make incessantly, to protect my iman from doubt.
Sufyan ibn Abdullah reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a word in Islam I will not need to ask of anyone after you.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Say, ‘I have faith in Allah,’ and then remain steadfast.” [Sahih Muslim]
I cite Shahr bin Haushab, who said: “I asked Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), ‘O Mother of the Believers! Which supplication did the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) make frequently when he was in your house?’ She said, ‘He (ﷺ) supplicated frequently: ‘Ya muqallib al-qulub thabbit qalbi ala dinika (O Controller of the hearts make my heart steadfast in Your religion).’” [Jami Al-Tirmidhi]
In lesson two we learned how we NEED Allah’s help in order to worship Him correctly. We ask Him for this help at least 17 times a day in our obligatory prayers. Well, the above supplication is another manifestation of asking for His help.
The Greatest Blessing Allah Grants
Being a Muslim, having faith, is a blessing from Allah. It’s the greatest blessing Allah can grant His slaves. We ought to be thankful for our blessings. The above supplication is one way of showing our gratitude. To acknowledge that out of 7 billion people on this planet, Allah CHOSE US for the greatest of His blessings. It also acknowledges that He alone is in control of our ultimate fate in this World and the Next.
If you think about it, its objectives are similar to ‘Bismillah’ (which we learned in lesson 1.) By making the above supplication you are asking for Allah’s blessings and His help (to keep your heart firm with Islam.) I typically make this supplication after every prayer. The way I see it, it’s like preventative medicine. And judging by the amount of information I consume from non-Muslim sources, I’d say my assumption is correct.
For example, I used to spend a lot of time on Islamic forums online. Inevitably, you come across non-Muslims trying to spread doubts about Islam, members of other Muslim sects trying to spread deviant understandings of Islam, and religiously illiterate Muslims speaking about Islam from a position of ignorance. You get exposed to a lot of contentious ideas that are against mainstream Islam. If you don’t have a firm grasp of the fundamentals, your faith may be shaken. OR, if you don’t have that firm grasp, you NEED the above supplication.
Now, I’ve been studying Islam formally for quite some time, but I firmly believe the supplication is what’s kept my heart firm all these years.
Taking the Good, Leaving the Bad
When I first started writing about masculinity and men’s issues, I was outspoken against Feminism – more specifically, Islamic Feminism. I was one of the first to demonstrate the absurdity of their views, by taking them to their logical conclusion, in my article “Islamic Feminism? Oxymoron Levels Over 9000.” Since then, so many others have spoken and written on this topic that Islamic Feminism and Muslim Feminists have been all-but crushed.
But in order to make a well-deserved mockery of these heretics, I had to familiarize myself with mainstream Feminist theory. I also had to learn of anti-Feminist discourse. The people at the forefront of this intellectual battle are non-Muslim men. In reading the websites and writings of these people, you need to be able to sift the good material from the bad (i.e. un-Islamic.) The above supplication is what protected me.
Don’t Get Complacent
Now, I’m not saying you need this supplication to become an apologist for orthodox Islam and go around refuting heretics and atheists. What it DOES give you, is a shield. It gives you peace of mind in the knowledge that you can thrive as a Muslim, and your heart is protected from Doubt. As long as you make it often, and don’t get complacent.
Thank you for reading until the end. I’ve given you five of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my study of Islam. They changed my life. You now have everything you need to change yours. Will you?
If you enjoyed this free course, you’ll love my book…
40 Hadith on Masculinity: How to Be a Good Man