Falling Short in Improving Oneself

These feelings that you mention in your question stem from good motives, in sha Allaah, and result from yourfeelings that you are falling short and want to purify yourself and raise yourlevel of spiritually. But it is importantnot to let them lead you to despair; they should motivate you to improveyourself. Make the most of these feelings of shortcoming to push you to strive;don’t let them make you sink to a lower level or be content with the status quoand not try to change.

 The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaahbe upon him) used to seek refuge with Allaah in his du’aa’s (supplications) from feeling helplessand laziness, and he taught us to strive to do things which will benefit us inthis world and in the Hereafter. He told us: “Strive to do that which willbenefit you, and seek the help of Allaah, and do notfeel helpless.” (Narrated by Muslim, no. 4816). Alwaysbe conscious of Allaah, because Allaahsays (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Fear Allaah (by doing all that He hasordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should befeared. (Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always,) and dienot except in a state of Islam [as Muslims (with complete submission to Allaah)].” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:102]

 Remember His promise and warning, for He has promised His righteousclose friends forgiveness and a great reward:

“Allaah has promised those who believe (in theOneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism) and do deedsof righteousness, that for them there is forgiveness and a great reward (i.e.Paradise)” [al-Maa’idah 5:9 – interpretation of themeaning]

 And He has issued a warning to those who stray from the straight pathand who disobey His commands:

“Allaah has promised the hypocrites — men andwomen — and the disbelievers, the fire of Hell” [al-Tawbah9:68 – interpretation of the meaning].

 This is so that people will always remain in a state between fear andhope, and so that they will know that the promise of Allaahis true and they will not get carried away with this life, but will preparethemselves for the Meeting with Him.

 “O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allaah istrue. So let not this present life deceive you, andlet not the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allaah”[Faatir 35:5 – interpretation of the meaning]

 Remember Allaah much, for this will bringpeace of mind and grant rest to the heart.

“Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allaah —Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah verily, in the remembrance of Allaahdo hearts find rest” [al-Ra’d 13:28 – interpretationof the meaning]

 You must seek forgiveness for the commandments of Allaahthat you have failed to obey, for Allaah has made thegate of repentance open to every sinner. Muslim narrated in al-Saheeh that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaahspreads out His hand at night to accept the repentance of those who have sinnedduring the day, and He spreads out His hand during the day to accept therepentance of those who sinned at night, (and this will continue) until the sunrises from the west.” (Saheeh Muslim, 4954)

 It was also reported that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaahsays, ‘O son of Adam, so long as you call on Me and put your hope in Me, I willforgive whatever you have done, and I will not mind. O son of Adam, even ifyour sins were to reach the clouds of the sky, then you were to seek My forgiveness, I would forgive you and I will not mind. Oson of Adam, if you were to come to me with an earthfulof sins, and you were to meet Me not associating anything in worship with Me, Iwill come to you with an earthful of forgiveness.’” (narrated by al-Tirmidhi with a hasan isnaad (sound chain).Sunan al-Tirmidhi, no. 3463). If a Muslim strives to obey Allaah, Allaah will make for hima way out from every difficulty. Allaah says(interpretation of the meaning):

“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty toHim, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He willprovide him from (sources) he never could imagine” [al-Talaaq65:2-3]

 Always  adhere to the obligatory duties andkeep away from haram (impermissible)things, then turn your attention to things that are mustahabb(desirable) and strive to do more of them, little by little, so that you willnot feel put off or bored.

 Finally, beware of procrastination, for it will prevent you from doinggood deeds. If you start to do something, then hasten to do it and do not slowdown or neglect it. Hastening to do such things is a praiseworthy action:

“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord…” [Aal ‘Imraan3:133 – interpretation of the meaning]. If you start to do something,then stick to it, even if it is only a little, for the most beloved of deeds toAllaah are those that are continuous, even if theyare little.

And Allaah is the Source of strength.