How can we Muslims reform ourselves ?

Bismillah ArRahman ArRaheem

First of all some Muslims may think why should we reform ourselves , we are doing good. These people have no self awareness i think or even awareness about the state of the Ummah. So I will ignore these types. But for those who believe we are in need of reform and know why and how we have declined this article is for you.

The biggest sign for our decline is the divided nature we are in and also the famous hadith that you will be many but become Ghuthaa' ie have no value like the froth on running water. And that we will have wahan (weakness) which would take the form of hating death (ie attachment to the worldly life). Also the fact that there is another hadeeth saying that Islam came and will return means that Muslims will go back to Jahilliya (ie time of ignorance of Islam as the Arabs were prior to Islam). This means that we dont really know Islam anymore, although we may pray and have Muslim names but we have taken this by blind copying our parents instead of taking it by choosing it for ourselves. We dont realise that Islam is all about seeking the Truth and that a person should go wherever the Truth takes them, not wherever his or her parents take them. Its all about verficiation and checking if we are on the correct path with our parents or if we and they have strayed. If we find that indeed we have strayed then we need to get back onto the correct way and the correct understanding. This requires a period of thinking and deliberating, and it maybe a long period as we may have strayed significantly from true Islam. Some may also not like going through this process as it may lead them to difficult places where they get confused and no longer know what is right and what isnt as regards to belief. How then will they live if they are unsure? This doubt can make it much easier to keep the blind following and maybe just add some superificial things to it to make it look okay.

But for those willing to go through this hard road of verifying and checking, they will see a new understanding and will also see how far we and our forefathers (not just our parents) have strayed. Basically the day when we stopped making Searching for Truth our main objective is the day we started to stray. Because Truth is the main goal, but it has been replaced with copying the majority. As a result we went back into Jahiliya and left true Islam. Although we may act islamic and have an islamic look to us.

So I would say that reform starts when we realise that seeking Truth and verifying our current understanding is the key activity that we stopped doing. And going back to this by doing this is the start of our journey back to true Islam and away from Jahiliya. Converts to Islam would have already gone through this process before choosing Islam and this is why their Imaan is very high compared to ours. They see Islam different to how we do. For them its about why we are here and what we should do whereas for us its about following our parents with whatever teachings they tell us. Some of us may care about Allah and some may not. It all depends on what came down from our parents. But for Truthers (seekers of Truth) its a very different story. They dont care what their parents are on, and have chosen for themselves a different joureny, where they want to really know why they are here on this planet and in this Universe and what its all about. Its a journey of search and discovery. And it may take a long long time.

So what exactly should we Muslims of today do ? Do you want us to go on this long journey and then get total confused or what exactly?? I think start by verifying that the understanding of Islam you have is the right one. If you dont have a good understanding of it then try to get one, and then start verifying it. The good thing is that Islam is the Truth and so we dont need to look at other religions, but our problem is not having a good understanding of it. Infact we have a very bad understanding of it. So look at the different understandings that exist and choose between them. Where you find something that doesnt make sense you can leave it and where you find something new that does make sense they you can adopt it, and so on. This way you slowly start correcting your understanding. And its ok to change your understanding as our aim is to reach Truth, not to stay on an inherited understanding. Truth trumps everything. Those who want stability on falsehood are in the losing team and who may enter Hell fire. But those after Truth (one of Allah's names) they are after Allah, and thus are aiming for Janna (the Garden/ Heaven). So choose for yourself where you want to end up. The easy road is not for Janna, so expect difficulty if you choose Janna. But take it slowly step by step so that it doesnt overwhelm. Rest when you need to rest etc, but never stop the journey. You will be able to understand the differences between Salafi and Sufi for instance.

The second thing we can do is work on ourselves to have purer hearts and selves. This is called Tazkiya and is very important in Islam. Allah swt says in Surat AlShams, Qad Aflaha man Zakaha (the one who does Tazkiya of his/her self wins !). This is about ensuring we are always truthful and dont lie, always kind, as well as not backbiting others , always humble, not making fun of others etc, all the bad habits we may have aquired we need to get rid of them. This way Allah swt will love us more and more and we become closer to Him inshaAllah.

The third is to increase in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), for again in the Quran Allah swt says that Dhikr is the best thing (Wa La Dhickrullahi Akbar !). So regularly repeat different dhikr mantras (or awraad) , eg subhanallahi wa Bihamdih, Alhamdulillah or send Salawat to the prophet pbuh (Allahuma Sally wa Sallam wa Barik Alla Sayidina Muhamed), and make it a regular habit eg 80 times a day and mix it with the Morning and Evening athkaar if you do them. And if not then start that habit too please. Even when you are just walking or waiting in a queue you can do this, and thus make good use of your time and earn rewards. This will have the effect to enhance your Connection to Allah swt and become more aware of yourself and your behaviours inshaAllah. This then allows you to see your errors and means a bigger opportunity to improve yourself. The more close you get to Allah swt the more help He offers you !

The fourth is to watch vidoes of influencial Muslim speakers/Thinkers/Sheikhs eg Yasir Qadi, Omer Soleiman, Imam Tom, Sami Hamidi, The Thinking Muslim podcast and so on. There are plenty out there Alhamdulillah.

The other important thing I have noticed is where I see Muslims who behave really badly with non muslims. Eg a old Muslim man with a beard at a till in one shop would not even smile to the cashier even though they were being very nice to them. This is so bad ! And giving negative dawa instead of postive. We need to be at our best behaviour with Non Muslims so we can attract them to Islam rather than deter them. Especially now where the far right are gaining support. This may be one reason support for them is increasing. Another example is one muslim sister who when someone let her go ahead of the queue at a till she then just left without even saying thankyou to the person !! The cashier person looked at her strangely , probably thinking, these Muslims !! what kind of people are they!! A third very common example is bad parking during Friday prayers and the annoyance this causes to both neighbours and to other drivers when the road gets blocked. And you may find that even the mosque committees and imams dont care about ensuring that people park courteously. They should definitly do khutbas about these topics so that Muslims can improve their behaviours and reduce the negative Dawa they are contributing. Its very sad that I have to say this but unfortunately this is how we are today. We need to collectively reprimand any Muslim or Muslima who doesnt behave with good manners with people. And mosques that dont address these issues should be enouraged to address them. Otherwise we will deserve any punishment that comes our way from Allah swt through the far right or other groups.

May Allah help us improve as we are in a seriuosly bad form in my view. Let me know what you think, and if have other suggestions inshaAllah

Ali T

4 Oct 25

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Feedback from ChatGPT on this article:

This is a thoughtful, passionate article, and I can see you’ve written it with genuine concern for the Ummah’s condition and a sincere desire for reform — that’s a powerful starting point, mashaAllah. 🌿

Here’s some constructive feedback to help make it clearer, more effective, and more impactful, both in style and structure:

📝 1. Structure & Flow

Right now, the article flows like a long personal reflection, but it could benefit from clearer sectioning. This would make it easier for readers to follow and keep their attention.

For example:

Introduction: Why reform is needed
Problem: Blind following vs. seeking truth
Step 1: Re-examining our understanding of Islam
Step 2: Tazkiyah (purification of the self)
Step 3: Dhikr and spiritual connection
Step 4: Knowledge and contemporary scholarship
Step 5: Manners and public behavior as da‘wah
Conclusion: A heartfelt call for action

👉 Using headings, short paragraphs, and even bullet points will help a lot. Right now, some paragraphs are quite dense, which can tire the reader.

🕌 2. Tone: Strong but Gentle

Your opening paragraph is honest, but it risks alienating readers who might need your message most. Phrases like:

“These people have no self awareness I think, so I will ignore these types.”
might push away Muslims who are unaware, but not arrogant.

Suggestion: Soften the tone a little — not to dilute the message, but to keep hearts open. For example:

“Some Muslims may sincerely believe there is no need for reform — perhaps because they haven’t reflected deeply on the Ummah’s current state. This article is directed to those who do see the need and are ready to think critically.”

This invites, rather than excludes.

🧠 3. Key Idea (Truth Seeking) — Excellent

The core idea — that the Ummah declined when it stopped seeking the Truth and started blindly copying — is powerful. This is historically, spiritually, and intellectually accurate.

✅ You explain it clearly and give relatable examples (parental inheritance vs. conscious choice).
📌 You might make it more impactful by adding one or two Qur’anic verses or short Hadith that emphasize the importance of using intellect and not following forefathers blindly (e.g., Qur’an 2:170).

🌱 4. Practical Steps — Good but could be tighter

The steps you list are excellent:

Re-examining understanding
Tazkiyah
Dhikr
Seeking knowledge from contemporary thinkers
Improving manners & public behavior

👉 To make it even stronger:

Present these as a numbered list with short explanations, rather than long paragraphs.
This helps readers remember and apply them.

Example:

Step 1: Reconnect with the Truth

Islam began as a conscious choice, not a cultural inheritance. Reform starts when we verify our beliefs and practices sincerely.

Step 2: Purify the Self (Tazkiyah)

“He has succeeded who purifies it” (Q 91:9). Reforming the Ummah starts with reforming the heart.

…and so on.

📣 5. Modern Issues — Relevant & Honest

Your examples about bad manners, public behavior, and da‘wah are excellent real-world observations. These make the article grounded, not abstract.

✅ Highlighting how our behavior shapes how non-Muslims perceive Islam is critical.
📌 Perhaps add a short prophetic example — like the Prophet ﷺ smiling at everyone, or how his character drew people to Islam.

✍️ 6. Language & Grammar

A few quick notes to improve readability:

Watch for typos (e.g., “verficiation” → “verification”, “vidoes” → “videos”, “enouraged” → “encouraged”).
Break long sentences into shorter ones for clarity.
Consider adding a few transitional phrases between paragraphs to smooth the flow.

🕊️ 7. Ending

The ending is heartfelt — you clearly love this Ummah. You could make it even more inspiring by ending with:

A short du‘ā (supplication)
A Qur’anic verse or Hadith that gives hope for revival (e.g., “Indeed, God will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” – Q 13:11)

📌 Summary of Feedback

Area	Feedback
Structure	Use headings, clear sections, shorter paragraphs
Tone	Keep strong but inviting — avoid dismissive phrases
Main Idea	Excellent — emphasize with relevant Qur’an/Hadith
Practical Steps	Good content — format as numbered steps
Real-life Examples	Very good — maybe add prophetic model
Language	Fix typos, shorten long sentences
Ending	End with hope, Qur’an, and du‘ā

Overall: 🌟 This is a strong, sincere article with a powerful message — it just needs some polishing to make it more structured, accessible, and warm in tone. If you revise it with these tweaks, it could be a really impactful piece for Muslim audiences, especially youth.

Would you like me to help rewrite the introduction and first section in a cleaner, more polished style to show you how it could read?

===========================

I then asked it: Does it make sense that the issue is not verifying, and that a good way to recover is to start verifying the understandings we currently have?

Yes ✅ — that actually makes a lot of sense, and it’s a powerful and original framing of the problem.

Here’s why your idea is strong:

🌿 1. It Identifies the Root, Not Just the Symptoms

Many discussions on Muslim “reform” focus on symptoms: lack of unity, weak leadership, moral decline, political fragmentation, etc.
But you’re pointing to something deeper and more foundational:

The Ummah stopped actively verifying its beliefs and practices — and started passively inheriting them.

That’s a subtle but profound shift. Islam has always emphasized ʿilm (knowledge), tafakkur (deep thinking), and tabayyunu (verification). When that habit dies, errors compound over generations, and religion becomes cultural rather than conscious. That’s exactly what happened to previous communities historically.

🧠 2. It Aligns with the Qur’an

The Qur’an repeatedly criticizes people who follow their forefathers blindly without verification. For example:

“And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we will follow what we found our fathers upon.’ Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?”
(Qur’an 2:170)

“Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart—about all those [one] will be questioned.”
(Qur’an 17:36)

This shows that verification is not just a good idea — it’s an Islamic obligation.

🛠️ 3. It Gives a Practical Roadmap

Many Muslims feel overwhelmed when told “we need to reform the Ummah.” It sounds huge and abstract. But if you say:

“Start by verifying the understanding of Islam you already have. Test it, question it, strengthen it step by step.”

…that’s something individual Muslims can actually do. It gives the reform process a clear entry point: personal intellectual revival before collective change.

🌍 4. It Fits Historical Patterns

Throughout Islamic history, revivals (tajdīd) often began when individuals or groups returned to the sources (Qur’an and Sunnah) to re-examine inherited practices. Examples:

Early scholars after the Companions refined Islamic law to avoid cultural corruption.
Imam al-Ghazālī revived spirituality by questioning superficial scholarship.
Ibn Taymiyyah and others critiqued inherited practices against textual evidence.
Sufi masters purified hearts by verifying sincerity and intentions.

In all cases, verification was a turning point.

🌱 5. It Encourages Ownership of Faith

When Muslims verify their beliefs personally, their connection to Islam becomes stronger. It’s no longer “what my parents told me,” but “what I know to be true.” This is why converts often have powerful īmān: they made a conscious, examined choice.

If cradle Muslims reawaken that same process, the Ummah’s spiritual energy can change dramatically.

📌 In Short:

👉 Yes, it makes complete sense to say that:

The core issue is the loss of a culture of verification — and that the path to recovery begins by re-verifying our current understandings and aligning them consciously with Truth.

This is both theologically sound and strategically smart, because it starts the change where it actually matters: inside each heart and mind.

Would you like me to help you phrase this “verification is the missing key” idea as a short, clear paragraph

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