Dear Muslim, You May Might Have Something Eating at Your Good Deeds Right Now | The Muslim Blog

This is a trap that many Muslims fall into. In this post, I will be discussing this dangerous problem and possible solutions you can start applying to your life. This problem is unknowingly letting haram (forbidden) actions into your lifestyle, a problem that can sometimes seem small, but act like a caterpillar eating at your good deeds leaf. It can be a very dangerous problem.

This is something that many people get into, due to lack of knowledge. Many everyday things we do might be wrong but we don’t know it. For example, a Muslim might not abide by certain rules in dress or behavior, simply unaware that Islam placed any limitations on such behavior. They can be small things, but dangerous nonetheless.

And here we are not talking about things that have multiple scholarly opinions, and someone takes the easiest one. We are talking about when something is definitely haram, but that person is unaware. And despite how aware we think we are, we could always be falling into a trap. Here are some ways to help yourself avoid this problem:

1.        If you feel unsure that something is halal, look it up. Why risk it when you might be able to solve the problem in three minutes? But I must warn you that when searching, you may find some opinions that are super-conservative, and I believe that it is more common than not to see opinions like this. So if, when you are searching, you feel like everyone is saying something and it is not moderate, don’t necessarily take that as a sign that the opinion is the only one, or the most supported one. You will hopefully eventually learn to find the sources that suit you best. Personally, I found that Islam Q & A, a very prevalent website, often leans more to the super-conservative side and does not show the more moderate side sometimes. On the other side, speakers like Dr. Yasir Qadhi and Nouman Ali Khan (you’ll find them on YouTube) will often give you very educated, moderate answers and are generally pretty good. Dar al-ifta al Missriya tends to show a more balanced answer as well. In the end, you will likely develop your own preferred sources.

2.        Generally, change your mindset to make yourself more aware of religion and to make yourself more aware of how it might affect everyday situations. Remember that Islam is an important part of life and also recall the idea of making every move you make in this life for Allah (positive intentions). Don’t let religion become a side aspect in your life, like fries in a meal. Let it be the main dish, the meaty bit. If you don’t place a lot of importance on making your actions halal, what will you answer Allah when He asks you about your actions on judgment day? 

This may seem like it’s going to be difficult, but soon it becomes a habit and everything’s automatic. Anything given up for Allah is not a loss right?

As I like to say, don’t let anything stop you. Today is your day. (I love it when the guy says it at the end of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDQDuBFK-8U&t=10s)

*I am not a certified psychologist or religious authority, I am simply presenting data which I found from other sources and otherwise, and if something is incorrect in any manner I do not claim it to be correct.

*Disclaimer: The author does not claim to be perfect, and the advice listed in The Muslim Blog or on The Muslim Talk facebook/instagram pages is advice to the author as much as it is to anyone else :)
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