Maruf Zaid Deen
From my understanding the term ‘husnul dhann’ conveys the meaning of positive thinking alongside optimism and in holding good opinion and thinking well of firstly our Creator Allah and about others. As Muslims we must be people of optimism, positivity and action! It is therefore integral that we have a positive outlook on life and in everything we do. Allah has advised us to be the very best of all people and we can only do this if we have a positive and optimistic mindset and attitude.
This dunya for sure has its ups and downs in life and it may seem like a never ending rollercoaster but this is life where we’ll certainly experience good and bad. We must always think good of Allah and acknowledge that although we may want things a particular way, He (God Almighty) knows what’s best for us. We can only do our best in life but we ultimately trust in our Rabb Allah.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said “How amazing is the case of the believer; there is good for him in everything, and this characteristic is exclusively for him alone. If he experiences something pleasant, he is thankful, and that is good for him; and if he comes across some diversity, he is patient, and that is good for him.” [Muslim]
In principle, if we have good intentions and we put our full trust in our Lord will we be able to programme ourselves to be more positively aligned and we can then subsequently achieve our goals.
Here are five tips to help you maintain a positive mindset:
1) Make time to always remember Allah
No matter what happens in life, through the good times and the bad always strive to remember your Lord. One of the most important virtues of a Muslim is to remember Allah at all times. In difficult and challenging times, the very best and wisest thing we can do is engaging in the remembrance of Allah. We have been blessed to have been given many duas and adhkar from our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and we need to ensure that we utilise these effectively.
2) Look for the positives in everything!
At times we may feel sad and unhappy and things may feel unbearable but we must remember that this is the trick of the shaitan. We should recognise that every situation has its pros and cons and that there will always be light at the end of the tunnel. Try to do your utmost best to look at the positive side of things and keep away from being fixated on the negatives. We have to look for the positives in everything as this will allow us to be happier and content with life. Nothing is easy in life! Condition yourself to be positive by keeping yourself occupied with positive thoughts, actions and company. This way it will be easier to accept things and consequently work towards developing a positive outlook.
3) Be patient and demonstrate gratitude
As Muslims we should be grateful for everything Allah has bestowed upon. We have good health, we have our families, basic human rights and we are able to practice our faith. Many people are stripped from the very basics of life. This is why we should not compare ourselves to others as we should of course aim high but always do the best within our own abilities.
“Look at those below you (less fortunate than you), and don’t look at those above you, for this is better.” [Muslim]
We must teach ourselves to always be patient in all circumstances irrespective of how bad some tests may be as we need to be brave in the face of adversity. Being patient is the ingredient of all successful people.
4) Never give up and always have faith in Allah
One of the most important qualities of a believer is to never give up and to exhibit resilience. We must show bravery, demonstrate patience and have faith and trust in Allah. It is a given that we will face difficulties on every step and corner of life and this precisely why we need to be strong by keeping our head held high. Iman is something that will fluctuate and this is why we need to keep trying with faith. Things will pull through and you will overcome things.
5) Give thanks and shukr (Try to also have a relation with the Qur’an)
Always be thankful to Allah for all the blessings that He has given us all. If you look around, you will come to realise that we are all blessed with so much that the minor things we lose our sleep over do not really matter at all. Give thanks to Allah and appreciate everything He has bestowed upon you. Try to remember that the regular remembrance of Allah is a good remedy to provide us with the strength to move on with a positive attitude in life. Furthermore try to establish and maintain a strong relationship with the book of Allah, the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an is our guide and in it is a cure. You will see immense positive results if you do so!
Conclusion
In conclusion, I firmly believe that if we are able to implement these powerful steps, we will be able work towards success and remain positive at all times. We will also become more productive and subsequently we can be better Muslims Insha’Allah.
Research has shown that developing a positive mindset can add to us building and enjoying a rich and meaningful life. You will also become more fulfilled when you can connect to your purpose of creation, carry a healthy attitude, stay around positive people and create a life with a positive culture within and around Islam. Make positivity a habit and you will see positive things in your life. I pray that we can all be people of positivity and that we can impact others through our character of Islam. May Allah bless you all and grant you success. Ameen
Wassalamu’alaykum – May peace be with you all.
Maruf Deen
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