Class 1
SELF REFLECTION
A LIGHT OF THE HEART
Look at your Self First!
Do you say this to others more than yourself?
This phrase “Look at yourself first” is often used to humble others, when they point at our faults or mistakes. However, this statement should be directed inward before outward. To yourself before others.
Allah (subḥanahu wa taʿala) says in the Noble Qur’ān,
.يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ، وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ، إِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَبِىْرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
“Believers! Be mindful of Allah and let every soul carefully consider what it has sent forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah: certainly, Allah is All-Aware of what you do” (59:18).
A Light for the Heart
Allah repeatedly encourages us to reflect and think deeply about ourselves. The word yatafakkarun (they reflect) appears 17 times in the Quran. Scholars say, “Reflection is like a lamp for the heart—without it, the heart becomes dark. And when we stop reflecting, our lives can feel empty and without direction.
What Is Taking Stock?
Taking stock means regularly checking in with yourself—your thoughts, actions, and intentions. It’s a form of deep self-awareness and accountability, like constantly asking yourself, “How am I doing?” and “Am I living the way I want to live?”
Today, this is often called mindful living in psychology. Islam being the best way of Life, teaches us self-reflection and its benefits.
Why Should We?
One might ask: “Is all this effort really necessary?” Think about the alternative.
Life can easily become repetitive —eat, sleep, work, chores, prayer—and before you know it, another year has passed. Without reflection, life can pass us by without much meaning or growth.
The "autopilot" mode of living makes us less productive and less happy which eventually leads to ungratefulness . Yes, reflecting takes work—but the reward is a meaningful life. It helps us live with intention, grow as a person, and feel satisfied with the effort we’re putting into our time in this world.
How to?
Reflection, is an action of the heart. It is done by evaluating one’s actions and behaviour of the nafs (inner self); and then rectifying the mistakes, and continuing the good deeds.
When we evaluate our daily, weekly, and monthly actions, we should identify our sins and repent sincerely. We should ask Allah to forgive us, and make a firm resolve to stay away from that sin in the future. We should identify the root causes of the sin, and plan how we can stay away from what causes us to fall into that particular sin.
Similarly, we should identify where we are falling short in terms of fulfilling the rights of Allah. Doing this will mean we do not become deceived with our ʿibādah. Instead, we will put our hope and trust in Allah, and not our own paltry actions. This should be followed by asking Allah to help us worship Him with excellence.
Whilst we are reflecting on our shortcomings, we should contrast this with the immense blessings of Allah (subḥānahū wa taʿālā) upon us. This should fill our hearts with hayā (shyness). How much He blesses us, and how little we thank Him! How much He does for us, and yet we disobey Him. How often we disregard His commands, yet He does not deprive us!
Practical Tips?
At the end of your days ask questions like
Did you miss any of the obligations set by Allah? (Salah, etc)
Did you mistreat anyone?
Did you say or do anything wrong?
How you can improve tomorrow
Do a more deeper analysis weekly or monthly, on how things are and if you are reaching your goals in all aspects of life.
Use Ramadan to look back and plan forward. Set goals that would make you a better Muslim and help you in the Aakhirah but also use Ramadan – the month to seek the most forgiveness – to look back, self-reflect and repent.
Whenever you take stock, think of these three things
Think of the good you done and how you can continue and also do better.
Think about the mistakes and repent.
Think about the blessings and make Shukr.
Benefits of Self Reflection
Worldly Benefits
Self-awareness: You get to see where you stand in life, what you’ve done well, and what needs improvement. You stop living passively and start living with purpose.
Personal growth: It helps you build your character by recognizing your strengths and working on your weaknesses.
Insight: You become more thoughtful, which helps you make wiser decisions and guide others.
Inner peace: You stay in tune with your values and don’t carry around guilt, regret, or unresolved issues.
Improves Decision-Making: Encourages thoughtful choices instead of impulsive actions that may lead to regret.
Encourages Accountability: Makes you responsible for your actions by regularly evaluating yourself.
Supports Character Building. Motivates you to remove bad habits and replace them with good traits like patience, gratitude, and humility.
Brings Clarity and Focus: Helps you stay on track with your goals and avoid distractions.
Builds Discipline: Trains your soul to resist harmful desires and stay committed to what’s right.
Brings Barakah (Blessing) in Time: Taking stock of your day helps you focus on meaningful activities and avoid wasting time. This brings barakah in your life and productivity.
Religiously
1. Earns the Pleasure of Allah
Reflecting on your deeds and striving to improve for Allah’s sake is a form of muhasabah (self-accountability), which is beloved to Him.
2. Strengthens Taqwa (God-Consciousness)
Self-reflection helps you become more aware of Allah’s presence in your life, leading to increased Taqwa. Taqwa is the foundation of righteousness and success.
3. Encourages Sincere Repentance (Tawbah)
By regularly reflecting, you recognize your sins and shortcomings, which leads to true tawbah and turning back to Allah with a humble heart.
“And those who, when they commit a sin… remember Allah and seek forgiveness…” (Surah Aali 'Imran 3:135)
4. Helps Purify the Heart
Self-reflection is a tool for tazkiyah (purification of the soul). It helps remove arrogance, envy, greed, and other spiritual diseases that darken the heart.
“He has succeeded who purifies it (the soul), and he has failed who corrupts it.” ( Surah Ash-Shams 91:9–10)
5. Increases Gratitude (Shukr)
Reflecting makes you more aware of your blessings, which increases thankfulness to Allah. And gratitude is a means to gain even more blessings from Allah.
“…If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]...” (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)
6. Promotes Accountability Before the Day of Judgment
Self-reflection prepares you for the ultimate reckoning in the Hereafter. It reminds you that every action matters and encourages you to live with the akhirah (afterlife) in mind.
‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) said: “Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account…”
8. Improves Akhlaq (Character)
By identifying and correcting flaws in your behavior, you follow the Prophet’s ﷺ example, whose character was the Qur’an.
“Indeed, the most beloved of you to me and the closest to me on the Day of Judgement are those with the best character.” (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Tirmidhi)
9. Protects from Shaytan’s Traps
Regular introspection helps detect the whispers of Shaytan early and protects your soul from falling into repeated sins.
10. Builds a Purposeful Life
Islam encourages a life of purpose—not one of heedlessness. Self-reflection keeps you focused on your ultimate goal: pleasing Allah and reaching Jannah.
To conclude,
Hasan al-Basri (رحمه الله) said: “The believer is a guardian over himself: he takes account of himself for the sake of Allah. The reckoning of the Day of Judgement will be light on those who used to take themselves to account in this world.”
In the upcoming classes we will InShaAllah study:
Is your Heart Dead or Alive according to Quran & Sunnah?
Signs of a Hypocrite, Do we have any?
Signs of a Narcissist, Do we have any?
Are we oppressing others?
Are you the cause of Fitna or the cause of reconciliation in your Family and friends?
Do we have Knowledge that is beneficial or non-Beneficial?
Are we amongst the Grateful or the Ungrateful ones?
Traits of A Muslim that we are Generally missing these days.
TIPS FOR THE TEST
Do not have to memorise the ayahs or hadeeths word for word and their references, but remember their meanings and the msg being given.
Remember the Sunnahs but more importantly implement it.
ASSIGNMENT
There will be an Assignment Question asked in the Test. Marks will be given based on the following: -
I. Invite atleast 10 people to the course (can invite via WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, telegram or word of mouth) 4 Marks. (check the note below for exceptions)
Note:
Those who have already invited whether on Whatsapp, Email or FB, do not need to invite again.
It does not matter, whether people join or not, our job is to invite.
II. Implement any 3 Sunnahs that you have not implemented yet in your live from each class of this course. 10 Marks.
III. Talk to 5 people (friends or family) about any three topics from the course - (5 Marks)
IV. Pray for the Ummah, pray for the ease of all the poor & oppressed Muslims and Maghfirah of the Muslims who passed away. Pray that Allah make us all strong in imaan and give us the hidayah to work for the aakhirah and to help each other. - 1 Mark
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Happy Learning... JazakAllah Khair...
As Salam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh :)
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