The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Muslim Youth

Brothers and Sisters in Islam, 

I would like to share this article which was emailed to me a few years ago (may be 4 or 5 years ago!). It is indeed a very good article to share with those who really looking forward to improve themselves and who want to be a successful Muslim. We have heard about 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (which is no doubt a must have book!) but may be we might want to read something which is more applicable to us, the Muslim. Well I call it Islamic version of 7 Habits.

The complete article can be found here    

1. Be Truthful - Not easy but so much to be gained!

This is a day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are gardens, with rivers flowing beneath — their eternal Home: Allah well-pleased with them, and they with Allah. That is the great salvation, (the fulfillment of all desires). 

(Al-Ma'idah 5:119)

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), said, as narrated by `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him),

"Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to al-fujur [wickedness, evil-doing], and al-fujur leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is witten before Allah, a liar." 

(Sahih Bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #116)

2. Be Trustworthy - Rely on Allah The Most Trustworthy, He will never let us down! When others trust you, don't betray their trust. Accept responsibility and fulfill it. 

Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah Heareth and Knoweth all things. 

(Al-Baqarah 2:256)

I but fulfill towards you the duties of my Lord's mission: I am to you a sincere and trustworthy adviser. 

(Al-A`raf 7:68)

3. Have Self-Restraint (Taqwa) & Be God-Conscious - restraint oneself from falling victim to one's desire!

And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, — none but persons of the greatest good fortune. 

(Fussilat 41:5)

4. Be Thorough - are you likely to rush through your work so you can be done with it or take your time to check your work and be thorough?

5. Be Focused - no matter what activity you are engaged in (prayer, academics, athletics etc) 
Allah Most High tells us in the Qur'an that the believers are

'those who humble themselves in their prayers' 

(Al-Mu'minun 23:2)

The humility here referred to total focus and concentration on the fact that one is in the presence of Allah, standing before Him Most High.

6. Be Punctual - stop saying you are late because of "Malay Standard Time"!

When `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked "which deed is the dearest to Allah?" the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, "To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times" 

(Sahih Bukhari, Book #10, Hadith #505).

7. Be Consistent

The Mother of the Believers `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that "the most beloved action to Allah's Apostle was that which is done continuously and regularly" 

(Sahih Bukhari, Book #76, Hadith #469).