Self-Improvement Tips from the Quran Foyjul, February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 As believers, we embrace a vibrant and purposeful life, striving to improve all aspects of our reality—whether it be family, work, personal growth, or our community. Guided by the Divine Wisdom found in the Qur’an and inspired by the example of our Beloved Prophet ﷺ, we cultivate a life rich in discipline and intention. Our days are organized in a manner that reflects our commitment through daily prayers, fasting, proper etiquette, charity, and mindfulness in our interactions. Each of these practices serves as a heartfelt expression of our faith, reminding us that we are on an exciting journey of self-improvement. Together, we can uplift ourselves and those around us as we grow in positivity and strength! As believers, we embrace a vibrant and purposeful life, striving to improve every aspect of our reality—be it family, work, personal growth, or community. Guided by the Divine Wisdom found in the Qur’an and inspired by the example of our beloved Prophet ﷺ, we cultivate a life rich in discipline and intention.Our days are organized to reflect our commitment through daily prayers, fasting, proper etiquette, charity, and mindfulness in our interactions. Each of these practices serves as a heartfelt expression of our faith, reminding us that we are on an exciting journey of self-improvement. Together, we can uplift ourselves and those around us as we grow in positivity and strength! By embracing positive qualities and releasing negativity, we can genuinely elevate our inner selves and positively impact our actions, drawing us nearer to Allāh. The Qurān is a remarkable guide, illuminating every aspect of our lives and providing essential wisdom for personal development. I’m thrilled to dive into these transformative ideas with you! Let’s join together on this inspiring journey toward a more beautiful and fulfilling life! Relationships with Others The Qur’an beautifully reflects our nature as social beings, emphasizing the significance of our vibrant community connections. It reminds us of how our interconnectedness enriches our lives. Let’s joyfully celebrate this vital bond that unites us all! [They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, “Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good – indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it”] [2:215] Family We’ve discovered that the best way to spend our time and resources is by nurturing our relationships, especially with our parents. This connection helps us truly appreciate their significance in our lives and strengthens our bond with them. Building strong, positive relationships with our loved ones is vital for our personal growth! The people we surround ourselves with significantly influence our behaviours and thoughts. By nurturing and valuing these connections, we lay a strong foundation for our personalities each day. Let’s wholeheartedly celebrate and invest in these wonderful relationships that truly enhance our lives! (See: Building a Strong Family, Relationships in Islam) The Neglected However, in order for believers to have a well-rounded character that is considerate of even those that have no relation to us, we are also commanded to care for orphans, the needy and the traveller. We are given these categories of people as they can often be the ones that are neglected by society. A believer is reminded to zoom out of their own home and as well as caring for their own families, start caring for the ones that may not have family caring for them. This mindset implemented by individuals and then later society allows for a higher level of empathy and togetherness. Neighbors Similarly to the above verse, we are told again in verse 36 of An-Nisa’: [Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful] [4:36] This verse beautifully emphasizes the importance of showing kindness not only to our parents, relatives, or those in need, but also to our neighbors and even distant acquaintances. Engaging in positive relationships with those around us enriches our lives and contributes to our emotional well-being. Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ has beautifully highlighted the significance of treating our neighbors with care, reminding us that nurturing these connections is vital for our growth and happiness. Let’s embrace this opportunity to spread joy and positivity in our communities! It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Jibra’il kept enjoining good treatment of neighbors until I thought he would make neighbors heirs.” Our neighbors and the many individuals we encounter daily play a significant role in shaping our lives. By nurturing these connections and spreading positivity, we not only uplift others but also enrich our own character. It’s wonderful that Allāh encourages us to treat those around us with kindness, fostering a vibrant community filled with good energy and genuine support. Let’s embrace this beautiful opportunity! Dawah Further to this, in order to share knowledge of Allāh, His Book, His Prophet ﷺ we need to have strong connections with people who will lend us their ear and join us on our journey – this can only be built with good relationships and developing strong interpersonal skills. (See: How to Spread the Message of Islam) After good treatment with other human beings, we are reminded that improvement begins with self and Allāh does not like those that are self-deluding and boastful. From this we are able to learn that in order to keep developing and refining, we must be in a state of humility in front of Allāh and our efforts must be for His sake only. Avoid Interest and Increase Charity Feeling overwhelmed by debt can be tough, but there’s a brighter side! Research shows that giving to charity not only boosts happiness but also fosters gratitude and deeper connections with others. The Qurān wisely encourages us to steer clear of interest and embrace generosity, helping us cultivate a positive mindset and enjoy a fulfilling life free from the burdens of debt. Let’s embrace the joy of giving and create a happier, more connected world together! [Allāh destroys interest and gives increase for charities. And Allah does not like every sinning disbeliever] [2:276] Allāh encourages us to view interest with disfavor, as it can bring about needless stress and financial difficulties for others. It’s heartening to note that engaging in interest ourselves can also lead to negativity in our lives. Instead, Allāh inspires us to invest our resources into more uplifting pursuits like charity, promising that generosity will lead to greater blessings and fulfillment in return. This is such a wonderful reminder to choose paths that enrich our lives and those of others! Furthermore, in verse 278 of Al-Baqarah, Allāh reassures us that if we previously engaged with interest, we have the opportunity to turn things around. He encourages us to let go of any remaining dues in interest, reminding us of the importance of faith and the ease He provides us in our journey. It’s a beautiful possibility to embrace a positive financial approach in harmony with our beliefs! (See: What Does the Quran Say About Wealth? Resilience and Focus Allāh encourages us in The Qurān to embrace strength and resilience during challenging times. By nurturing a strong spirit, we can avoid feelings of laziness and gloom that may lead to hopelessness or diminished focus. Remember, as Muslims, our time in this life is precious and our potential is boundless! Let’s remain optimistic and motivated, using every moment to grow and thrive. Each hurdle we face is an opportunity for development on our incredible journey. Together, we can navigate life’s challenges and emerge even stronger! [So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers] [3:139] Allāh instructs us here to be strong and not fixate on something that upsets us. Believers know submitting to the will of Allāh is the best way to move through life and that miserliness is a demonic trick set up to distract a Muslim from being productive and using his energy in the way of Allāh. We also learn from Bukhari that our Beloved Prophet ﷺ would make this du’ā: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ “O Allāh I seek refuge in you from grief and sadness, from weakness and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, from being overcome by debt and overpowered by others.” (See: The Power of Dua) Consistency and Emotional Intelligence Managing our emotions is an essential part of self improvement. We have to maintain a sense of freedom within ourselves that only comes from being light. Allāh reminds us of this in Surah Ali-’Imran: [Who spend [in the cause of Allāh] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allāh loves the doers of good] [3:134] The consistency in spending in the way of Allāh is mentioned here, this spending can be financial but also time, energy, provisions. Allāh reminds us that we must be consistent in our efforts and that hardship and ease both come and go in life – they should not hinder our output. People can often regret things said or done in anger. Allāh tells us here that believers try to not be impacted by negative energy and they control anger they may feel. In addition to this, believers forgive. Forgiveness is something that is good for the one being forgiven but even better for the one doing the forgiving. Someone that can control their anger and forgive others will grow in character and have a focused approach to life with lesser regrets. Towards the end of the verse we find our motivation to fight through negative emotions and to respond to bad with good — we strive to do this for the sake of Allāh and to attain His love. Practice Gratitude Allāh reminds us that if we are grateful, He will increase us. [And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.‘] [14:7] Self-improvement often starts with appreciating the gifts we’ve received from Allāh. By reflecting on His blessings, we cultivate a positive mindset that opens the door to even greater joy. A heart filled with gratitude not only attracts more goodness but also brings a sense of peace that can elude those who overlook their blessings. While many recognize gratitude’s value, Allāh offers a unique promise: by expressing our thankfulness for His endless favors, we can experience even more bounty in our lives. Embracing gratitude is a beautiful journey that enriches our hearts and minds! Follow the Beloved Prophet ﷺ The heart of the Messenger of Allah was beautifully selected as the vessel for the Qur’an’s revelation. Allah has graciously given us inspiring examples to follow in our quest for His love and mercy. In the Qur’an, we find the Prophet ﷺ encouraged to share this vital message, guiding us on our journey of faith and compassion. [Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allāh, then follow me, [so] Allāh will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.”] [3:31] In our journey of self-improvement—whether it’s enhancing how we spend our time, elevating our mindset, nurturing our relationships, or embodying ethics in our work—we are truly fortunate to have the inspiring example of our Beloved Prophet ﷺ. His life exemplifies honesty, truthfulness, hope, patience, and dedication. By embracing and applying the invaluable lessons from his teachings, we can transform ourselves and draw closer to the love and mercy of Allāh. Let’s enthusiastically embark on this path together, ready to grow and thrive! Ponder the Creations of Allāh We have been given signs to affirm the truth in The Book and many of those signs are found in the natural world. For example, Allāh tells us: “And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” [13:3] We are given further examples of the magnitude of His creation in Surah Al-An’am when Allāh tells us: [And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees – of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe] [6:99] Being familiar with nature, appreciating its beauty in provision and pondering the skies, mountains and galaxies are all good ways to ground ourselves in the reminder that we do not merely exist in the universe, we exist as part of it. The more we can ponder His creation, learn about it and recognize His signs, the more we will feel motivated about our higher purpose, to build character, hold ourselves accountable and the more evolved we will become from a developmental perspective. Conclusion To conclude, much literature on self improvement will tell us that there are qualities within a person that predict their likeliness of success in this world. However, Divine Commands in the Qurān teach us qualities of the character that we should be nurturing for success in this world AND the next. These qualities include: Good relationships with others Practicing gratitude Restraining from anger and other negative emotion Making the best of examples ﷺ our role model Being consistent Being considerate Being generous These methods of self-improvement, along with many others that the Qur’an guides us towards, will help us lead fulfilling lives on Earth and assist us in acquiring the good deeds we need for the hereafter. In all efforts of self-improvement, intention is the most important element. Our goal should be pure; self-development should be for the sake of Allah. We should turn to Him and make sincere du’a, asking Him to grant us success as we strive to refine, cleanse, and improve various aspects of our lives and character in alignment with what pleases Him. Allah is aware of our efforts and intentions. Maintaining hope and actively seeking to better ourselves is an integral part of our lives. It was narrated by Abu Hurairah that our beloved Prophet ﷺ said: “If any one of you improves (follows strictly) his Islamic religion then his good deeds will be rewarded ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed and a bad deed will be recorded as it is.” May Allāh ﷻ enable us all to enhance our lives and strive for goodness for ourselves and others in this life and the hereafter. Lifestyle Productivity Self Development