Having Faith

Written by: Barah

Having faith doesn’t mean drowning yourself in worship and never taking a break. Being Muslim doesn’t just praying, reading Qur’an, etc. Being Muslim is much more. Seeking knowledge is obligatory for the faithful.

The Prophet Muhammad (s) said, “The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim” (Al-Tirmidhi, hadith 7).

Seeking knowledge is also presented in scripture as a way to make attaining Paradise easier. As a famous hadith narrates, “One who treads a path in search of knowledge has his path to Paradise made easy by God. . .” (Riyadh us-Saleheen, 245).

So don’t think that going to school won’t advance your faith. Wrong. It is important for us to learn about history, science, math,  geography — about everything. Islam isn’t just about exhausting yourself by worshiping; there are other things you can do in this life that aren’t always exhausting but are also considered worshipful. As another hadith says:

“There came three men to the Prophet’s wife’s house and they asked about the Prophet’s worshiping habits, and when they told them they kept repeating it in their head. . .One of them said, “But I pray all night and never lie down.” Another said, “I fast all year and never break my fast.” The final one said, “I stay away from women and never got married.” So the Prophet (s) came to them and said “. . .I am the most fearing of God and most obedient to God and most pious to Him, but I fast and break my fast, and I pray but I also lie down, and I marry women, and for those who stray away from my sunnah, they are not from my people.”

So you see, even the Prophet didn’t overwork himself and did more than just worship all day and night.

You could go work out or play basketball and it would be considered worshiping because you’re taking care of your body and giving it the exercise it needs. Or you could go to the beach or lake and take a walk, or meditate and think of all of God’s creation, and that is worshiping because you’re remembering God and clearing your head, which helps you function better.

Be moderate and understand that everything you do in this life that makes you and your life better is considered worship, and you will get your good deeds, God willing.

Photo Credit: Barah Ahmad.