PRACTICAL MEASURES FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF IMAAN AND FOR SAFEGUARDING IMAAN

The quality of Imaan will improve only by means of giving practical expression to the teachings of Islam. All acts of Ibaadat must be correctly and promptly rendered. Refrain from all prohibitions and even from doubtful acts and things. By doubtful is meant such things which revolve between halaal and haraam. There is a possibility of its being halaal as well as possibility of it being haraam. Rasoolullah (SAW) exhorted Muslims to abstain from such doubtful things which are known as Mushtabahaat. Endeavour to regulate live in strict accordance with the details of the Sunnah of Rasoolullah (SAW). For this purpose, the new Muslim (as well as born Muslims) must acquire Islamic knowledge reliably either by studying under qualified Ulamaa or by reading authentic and reliable Islamic books- books written by Ulama. Abstain totally from books written by non-Ulama, especially modernists since they project their personal opinion in Islamic hues.

The most effective way and the compulsory way of improving Imaan is to act in accordance with the teachings of Islam. It is for this reason that Allah couples Imaan with A'maal-e-Shareef. Along with Imaan , Allah speaks in abundance of virtuous acts. Righteous deeds create brilliance in the Imaan . Minus such deeds, Imaan loses its lustre and becomes dull and dark. Man then moves closer to kufr.

In additions to practising righteous deeds, it is highly beneficial for the development of Imaan to engage in Thikrullaah(Remembrance of Allah). Among the most efficacious forms of Thikr is to recite Laa ilaaha illallaah repeatedly and constantly. In this regard Rasoolullah (SAW) said:

“Renew( i.e. refreshen) your Imaan with Laa ilaaha il-lal-laah .”

It is also very beneficial for the new Muslim to recite in abundance Surah Ikhlaas and Surah Inshiraah.