personal development

Evaluating ourselves keeps our Iman (faith) strong. When we take time to reflect on whether we are in our best state of submission, there are many things we should consider in this self-assessment. But in every assessment or plan we make, we can turn to the Quran for guidance.

Regardless of the reasons, for many of us, forgiveness is not a habit we engage in in a systematic, regular manner. But this is key to gaining its spiritual, psychological, and health benefits.

"Say: O Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (Quran 39:53). The above mentioned verse of Holy Quran besr explains the seeking forgiveness in Islam.

Certain inward attitudes and duties are incumbent on those who seek, through the payment of Zakat, that which leads to good in the Hereafter. Here is an excerpt on Zakat from Imam Al-Ghazali's "Innner Dimensions of Islamic Worship".

The Qur’an encourages us to repeatedly “reflect” on its contents – so please consider this as a guided reflection on the Qur’an within a positive psychology framework.  At the end we hope that you see the Qur’an as the Muslim’s guide to flourishing.

(We recommend that you spare time to think a few weeks before the next year planning. You can use this guide for your thinking process. Perhaps you want to take one section a day.