Islam, being a complete and perfect way of life, seeks to shape the human being into the best possible form that benefits not only them as individuals, but society at large. At the core of that is reaching the highest state of submission to Allah (swt), the most Merciful Creator. At many points in our lives we may feel lost as to how to reach this state of submission and how to please Allah (swt) and worship Him as He deserves to be worshipped, and we may not know where to turn to find answers. This is precisely the role of the Holy Qur’an – to inform us of our purpose, guide us to the straight path and constantly remind us and tell us how to stay on this path. The following is a thorough description of the characteristics of a true Muslim, derived directly from the Holy Qur’an (Surah al-Furqan ayahs 63 to 76), where Allah (swt) defines for us those who have the privilege of being labelled “the servants of the Merciful” and who are promised paradise:-

In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful

 

The ˹true˺ servants of the Most Merciful are those who:

(وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ)

 

1. Walk on the earth humbly (يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًۭا)

They recognise how small, helpless and powerless they are in comparison to Allah (swt), and they express this through their body language by walking gently, not proudly.

2. And when the ignorant address them, they only respond with ˹words of˺ peace. (وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًۭا)

They respond with dignity, respect and peace even to those who insult or disagree with them.

3. And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer] (وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًۭا وَقِيَـٰمًۭا)

In the dark, quiet nights, the servants of Allah (swt) stand in worship to Him – not to prove themselves in front of others, but because they know Allah (swt) alone deserves to be worshipped, and through their prayers they strengthen and maintain their relationship with Him.

4. And they are those who say, “Our Lord! Keep the punishment of Hell away from us, for its punishment is indeed unrelenting. It is certainly an evil place to settle and reside.” (وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا إِنَّهَا سَآءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّۭا وَمُقَامًۭا)

They have absolutely no doubt in the Day of Judgement and constantly pray that Allah (swt) protects them from doing that which will make them deserving of the worst possible punishment.

5. And when they spend, do so not excessively nor sparingly but moderately in between (وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا۟ وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا۟ وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًۭا)

They spend their money in a balanced way, without being too excessive, nor too stingy.

6. They do not invoke with Allah another deity (وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ)

Their belief in God’s Oneness (tawhīd) is unshakeable. They turn to Him, and no one else, when they are in need.

7. And they do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right,

(وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ)

They believe in the sanctity of human life, and do not come near it except for in exceptional cases as defined in the Qur’an and in Sharia.

8. And they do not commit adultery. 

(وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًۭا)

They do not transgress the boundaries set by Allah (swt), and appreciate marriage as a sacred bond.

9. And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood (وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ)

They are honest and trustworthy, they never say something is true if they know it is not.

10. And when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity  (وَإِذَا مَرُّوا۟ بِٱللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا۟ كِرَامًۭا)

When they hear useless speech, they do not engage in it or lower themselves to that same level. The believer only seeks what will benefit them in this world and the next, and they distance themselves from anything that has no benefit.

11. ˹They are˺ those who, when reminded of the revelation of their Lord, do not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to it (وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا۟ عَلَيْهَا صُمًّۭا وَعُمْيَانًۭا)

The signs and revelation of Allah (swt) truly impacts them and inspires change within them.

12. And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes [i.e. a source of happiness due to their righteousness] and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous.” (وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍۢ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا)

They don’t see their spouses or children as a source of worldly joy only, but they find happiness through the righteousness of their family and feel a sense of responsibility in guiding their family towards Allah (swt). Their goal is not only to have a successful family unit, but to make it to paradise together. And this sense of responsibility not only applies to their direct family, but to the entire Muslim ummah.

 

Those are the ones who will be rewarded with the highest place in heaven for their perseverance, and will be received with salutations and ˹greetings of˺ peace, staying there forever. What an excellent place to settle and reside!

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ ٱلْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةًۭ وَسَلَـٰمًا

خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّۭا وَمُقَامًۭا

 

O’ Allah, the most Merciful, make us of your true servants who deserve to be rewarded with the highest level of paradise, amīn.