As a Muslim, what are the first steps you would advise a revert like me do towards strengthening my imaan?

Aasiyah Espina | 14 years ago

It could be very methodical like memorizing surahs, or inspirational (as in pep talk).

Sumi | 14 years ago

Attaining proper knowledge takes time and it is for sure an on-going process. We all struggle to improve ourselves and learn new things. I'd like to advise you the following:

1.) Read the 'translation' of Quran. Take it step-by-step. Try to understand it and see how you can use the information in your daily life.
2.) Perhaps read a Hadith on daily basis. Take few minutes and try to understand it by contemplating on it.
3.) Try to memorize Surahs, or simple expressions and duas by heart knowing what they mean and how useful they can be.
4.) Try to improve yourself in practical things: such as learning how to do ablution or how to pray properly or what kind of prayers exist, how to pay zakat, how to perform Hajj/Umrah, understand the concept of Ramadan, what Islamic values are, etc.
5.) Try to be in the company of those who will bring you closer to Islam.
6.) You will get to meet different peoples and discover the sectarian issues related to Islam. It is that is why essential to know what Quran and Hadith teach you.

I'd suggest you to not simply focus on one of these points, but do a bit of everything daily, even if it is little. :)
May Allah guide you and us all to the right path, Ameen. All the best with it. :)

Answered by: Sumi | 14 years ago

Comments

Agreed ...

Hassan Ahmed | 14 years ago

Nicely said sumi =)

Nabeha | 14 years ago

angrybridee | 14 years ago

I think namaz, it calms one down and reminds us, five times a day, about who we really are and what really matters

Answered by: angrybridee | 14 years ago

Hassan Ahmed | 14 years ago

My Imaan is most energized when I read or hear (Bayan) about life of Prophet (PBUH).

Also Astaghfaar / Taubah (Asking for forgiveness from Allah) helps a lot in getting near to Allah.

This answer has been edited by the user

Answered by: Hassan Ahmed | 14 years ago

Comments

yeah, that's the 'nasiat' I often get as well. :)

Sumi | 14 years ago

yaar hani koi tareeqa bata, mujh par zakir naik asar nahin karta ab!

Ali Iqbal | 14 years ago

Zakir Naik is a good person but he measures everything with logic ...

Try to develop your love for Prophet (SAW) and Sahabas (RZ) while reading or hearing about them .... i mean try to feel how great that time was ....

Hassan Ahmed | 14 years ago

@ Hassan: this is what I at times ask. How is it that some people develop so much love for our Prophet (PBUH)? I suppose you are right, one should perhaps keep reading what he (pbuh) did when he (pbuh) was alive and thus, try to come closer to him (pbuh) this way as it is also part of our religion, right?
As for Zakir Naik, I used to be very impressed by his line of argumentation and him listing down all kinds of statistics....but I don't know what happened...

Sumi | 13 years ago

Osama Afzal | 14 years ago

Reading and understanding Quran is the best way according to me ... !

Answered by: Osama Afzal | 14 years ago

Comments

true, I feel it is very essential. Understanding is one part, implementing, however, another.

Sumi | 14 years ago

Khawaja Naveed Haider | 14 years ago

Keep on practicing the religion in a best possible manner. Practice can strengthen your imaan absolutely.

Answered by: Khawaja Naveed Haider | 14 years ago

Aaquib Naved | 14 years ago

Read Qur'an and follow the Sunnat of prophet MUHAMMAD (SAWS). Become a disciple of some learned scholars. In Pakistan I have listened to the bayaans of Maulana Tariq Jameel & Mufti Taqi Usmani (must listen). Also, Peer Zulfiqar naqshbandi (http://www.tasawwuf.org) and download the bayaans.

Answered by: Aaquib Naved | 14 years ago

Comments

helpful link. jazakAllah khair. :)

Aasiyah Espina | 14 years ago

Waqas Gillani | 14 years ago

first step:

ALLAH is watching you and check yourself what are you doing.

Answered by: Waqas Gillani | 14 years ago

Ali Iqbal | 14 years ago

hehehe.... i came here thinking that reverting means to leave islam and someone is asking for the reasons...
funny thing is, i know lots and lots of reasons for that... and that too can be an imaan strengthener

Answered by: Ali Iqbal | 14 years ago

Comments

if the situation above arises, and you need answers, i might be able to help in that regard :)
happens when you hear other people questioning!

Ali Iqbal | 14 years ago

In an Islamic context however, 'revert' means reverting back to Islam because we Muslims believe everyone is born a Muslim.

Usama Hafeez | 14 years ago

yup.. i remember zakir naik saying that..

Ali Iqbal | 14 years ago